26th Annual Green River Clean-up Effort Needs You

Bernie McKinney knows how to appreciate good land.

In his day job, he's a land broker. He also sits on the King County Rural Forest Commission and serves as a Parks and Trails Ambassador. 

And then at night -- or in his free time, he is vice president of the Middle Green River Coalition, a diverse group of people whose goal is to protect the Middle Green River and its tributaries. 

 That's why it's deflating for him to see the Green River Gorge, which he describes as a beautiful and pristine place, more often than not covered with garbage.

Old tires, car parts and furniture are often found scattered over roadways along the gorge. McKinney recalls that on a clean-up effort last year by the one-lane bridge over the gorge near Black Diamond and Cumberland, his team filled three full trucks full of garbage.

Similarly, even in visitor-friendly places like Flaming Geyser State Park, litter is everywhere. Beer bottles, cans, and other remnants of partying are found strewn about the park. 

"There's so much junk out there," he said. "It's like the people who do this, it's their lifestyle of 'who gives a darn.'"

Well, McKinney gives a darn, and at least 250 other people do as well since that was how many people took part in last year's Green River clean-up effort led by the Middle Green River Coalition.

The group is once again gearing up for their clean-up effort this year, slated to take place this Saturday, April 30 at several locations along the Green-Duwamish River to Kanaskat-Palmer State Park and near Flaming Geyser State Park.

The goal is to increase exposure to issues that affect the natural land and resources in this area, he said. While Saturday's efforts are devoted to clean-up, the coalition is also working to remove invasive plants, reestablish native species and focus on overall land stewardship. 

This includes supporting outdoor recreation and outings such as hosted walks/hikes, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, whitewater kayaking, environmental education, and fishing. The coalition believes that recreational interests are key to the future of the conservation movement.

"Each generation has gotten further away from the earth," McKinney said. "We want to try and get people back to the earth and treasure it. It's finite. If we don't take care of it, who will?"

More Information

The cleanup will span from the Green-Duwamish River to a few miles upstream of Kanaskat-Palmer State Park to several miles below Flaming Geyser State Park.

Here are the many ways you can participate on April 30:

FRIENDS OF THE GREEN GROUND CLEANUP CREWS
Hosted by Middle Green River Coalition
Sign in between 9-11:30 am
Pick up trash bags at Flaming Geyser, Picnic Shelter #3 from Cleanup leaders.
Contact: Pat Sumption, H: 206-525-1708, Cell: 206-434-7163, patsump@juno.com

OLD HISTORIC TOWN OF FRANKLIN CLEANUP
Hosted by Black Diamond Historical Society
10 am – 1pm
Come help clean up the old historic town of Franklin with the Black Diamond Historical Society. Come learn about the history of the area while cleaning up this amazing area.
Contact: Don Mason at: (253) 852-6763 or dmlmason@comcast.net
(Directions Below)

BEAVER LAKE RESTORATION
Hosted by Middle Green River Coalition and REI
10 am – 1pm
Come see this exciting new area. A 10-acre site along Beaver Lake that is part of a conservation area called the Bass / Beaver / Dandy Lake Natural area and Green River Gorge Mountains to Valley Greenway. There are future plans to connect this to the Green River Gorge Rim trail.
Contact: Bernie McKinney at: 360-825-1000 or b.mckinney@comcast.net
Our partner REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) will be co-hosting the event. REI awarded MGRC a $5,000 grant this year to restore the site along Beaver Lake.
(Directions Below)

HIGHWAY 169 BRIDGE RECREATION AREA CLEANUP 
Hosted by Middle Green River Coalition
10am – 1pm
Fun in the summer leaves it’s mark on the land around both sides of the highway 169 bridge. Recreational users leave their trash on both sides of the river rather than packing it out. We discovered that this area needs some TLC this year. The bridge area is only 2 miles from downtown Black Diamond. (Check in at Flaming Geyser Picnic Shelter #3 and tell them you want to cleanup the highway 169 site)

WHITEWATER RAFTING 
Hosted by Middle Green River Coalition w/ professional river rafting company
As always Washington Recreational River Runners and boaters from all over the Northwest will be rafting the beautiful Green River Gorge picking up trash along the way.
Raft down the Green River Gorge while cleaning. The cost includes rafting, shuttle, wetsuit, life jacket, booties, and helmet. 10% of the proceeds going to support the conservation, recreation, and restoration efforts of the Middle Green River Coalition.
Contact: Lisa Parsons or backyardadventuregirl@comcast.net

TABLING/SPONSORING
Opportunities for Tabling and Sponsorship with Friends of the Green Organizations that want to have a table with literature to hand out on environmental or river recreation issues are welcome to do so, but should do some work to help with the Cleanup also, and thereby become a sponsor of the Cleanup. Check with Pat first. Tabling will work best in the afternoon, starting around 2pm, or later.
Contact: Pat Sumption, H: 206-525-1708, cell: 206-434-7163, patsump@juno.com

DIRECTIONS TO SITES
To Flaming Geyser State Park. The park is SE of Auburn. From Seattle, take I-5 south to I-405 near Southcenter. Take I-405 east and exit to State Rte.167, southbound to Kent and Auburn. At the Auburn area, exit 167 and go east on State Rte. 18. Exit SR 18 at the 1st exit, labeled Auburn-Black Diamond Rd. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Auburn-Black Diamond Rd. Take a right at the next possible road onto Green Valley Road. Stay on Green Valley Road for about 8 miles. There will be a sign directing you to turn right into Flaming Geyser State Park. Follow the road (obeying the speed limits) until near the end of the road. Picnic Shelter 3 will be on your left.

Picnic Shelter #3 is headquarters for Ground Crews, Picnic Helpers, and others. Someone will sign you in, give you garbage bags and maps to a good location for trash.

To Beaver Lake Restoration. From Auburn take the Auburn Way exit. Head east on Auburn Way (highway 164) towards Enumclaw. Take a left at 400th (White River Amphitheater on Right) Follow to 244th Ave SE. Take a left (heading north). Take a right onto 384th Street (heading east). Follow as road bends to the left and becomes 252nd St. Parking will be on the right side of the road in the meadow.

To Old Town of Franklin Site. From Black Diamond head east on Lawson Rd (at the Cenex station). Follow until it winds down hill towards the Green River Gorge. Parking will be on the right through the metal gate before you reach the one lane bridge.

To Highway 169 Site. From Black Diamond head south towards Enumclaw. Go past Green Valley Rd. Parking is on the right side of the road on the north side of the bridge. Cleanup sites are on both sides of the bridge on the north and south sides.

Tents will be set up at each location for easy identification, said McKinney. If you're new to the coalition or the area, head to Flaming Geyser State Park first.

Hot tea, water and some snacks will be provided. If you're planning to stay through the lunch hour, bring a sack lunch.

Tools will be provided, but bring gloves if you have them.