More than 300 volunteers got their hands dirty last Saturday, April 17 at Bellevue’s annual Earth Day-Arbor Day celebration at Lewis Creek Park in Lakemont.

Among those in attendance was Mayor Don Davidson, who expressed his pleasure with how the day unfolded.

“This is an exciting time to celebrate our stewardship for the environment,” he said. “It is the community’s opportunity to come out and show their support.”

Volunteers arrived at the park at 8:30 a.m. They spent the next two-and-a-half-hours on their hands and knees participating in projects ranging from removing invasive plants and improving trails, to planting trees and shrubs. More than 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted on this particular day, according to Park Ranger Christina Dyson-Farrell.

Bellevue resident Jordan Tran described the work as hard, but rewarding.

“It is definitely not easy, and you get a little dirty, but when you see how many people have come together to make our park and our city a better place to live, you forget about everything else.”

Although this was Bellevue’s celebration of Earth and Arbor days, it didn’t stop Liz and Brent Cooley from bringing their children down from Bothell to lend a few helping hands.

“What better way to spend a Saturday?” Brent queried. “The kids are having a blast, and learning about the importance of environmental awareness at the same time.”

Among the groups that attended were the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Program, Cougar Ridge Elementary School, The Sammamish High School Environmental Warriors, Interlake High School Horticultural Program, St. Andrews Church youth group, Girl Scout pack No. 2475 and Boy Scout pack No. 621.

Deputy Mayor Conrad Lee addressed the youth involvement: “I’m glad to see so many young people here,” Lee said. “Their continued efforts will sustain our future.”

Following the volunteer projects the celebration continued with refreshments, learning stations, birdhouse building, a raffle and a tree giveaway. The Washington Native Plant Society gave each volunteer their option of a Douglas fir or a western red cedar to take home with them to plant.

Yvonne Sun was honored for being the winner of the Arbor Day poster competition for students in Washington. Sun was named a finalist from the city of Bellevue, and went on to become the statewide winner.

The ceremonial tree planting took place around noon, following a presentation by the honor guard for the event, the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mayor Davidson, along with several elected officials, addressed the crowd of volunteers after they finished shoveling soil on the newly planted tree, just as the first drops of rain for the day began to fall from the sky.

“Mother Nature must be with us right now, to water our newly planted tree,” began the mayor. “Thank you all for your great work today.”

Councilman Grant Degginger closed the ceremony by commending the volunteers as well. “This is what makes this such a great place to live, work, play and raise our families,” he said.

Aaron Randall is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.