Over 500 people participated in the “24th Annual Green River Cleanup”. Rafters, kayakers, hikers, and others came with one common purpose, to clean up the Green River. The attendees ages spanned 10 decades from families with small children to Wolf Bauer, now 97.
The day started off with hundreds of expert boaters launching from Kanaskat and various points to raft the 12 mile long Gorge and clean up trash along the way. Ground Crews met at Flaming Geyser and included Veterans for Conservation, Democrats at Work, Green
River College Students (GRCC), Enumclaw Students, and others who went to various places along the river and uplands to pick up trash.
Don Mason of the Black Diamond Historical Society met ground crews at the Old Historic Townsite of Franklin to pick up trash. They hauled two plus pickup truckloads from the old
townsite and river banks. Don exclaimed how happy he was that people, including some very hardworking GRCC students, showed up to clean up Franklin. “People never volunteer to clean up here. This is just wonderful”. He said.
All in all a huge amount of trash was removed from the river and uplands including one 500 gallon plastic water tank that was then carried on a raft down to Flaming Geyser. “Its great that crews were able to clean up so much trash. Now if we can just get people to stop dump-
ing trash in our river. That would be even better. Said Lisa Parsons, of Middle Green River Coalition, an organization working on land conservation and advocacy for the Green River Gorge.
After a day of boating rafters, ground crews, and friends of Wolf Bauer gathered for a dinner and recognition of Wolf Bauer. Wolf, now 97 attended the gathering of people to honor his vision in creating the State Parks Green River Gorge Conservation Plan over forty years ago. As part of that recognition the lodge at Flaming Geyser was officially renamed the “Wolf Bauer” Lodge in his honor by the Washington State Parks Commission. Lou Whitaker, long time friend of Wolf’s, said that he was glad that Wolf finally received the recognition he deserves for his work on protecting the Green River Gorge.
Wolf is honored that many groups and individuals are working to continue his vision of preserving the 12 mile long Green River Gorge.
Among those who came to recognize Wolf Bauer were former Governor Mike Lowry, State Parks Commissioner Joan Thomas, Director of State Parks Rex Derr, King County councilman Larry Phillips, representatives for King County councilman Reagan Dunn, Climbing legend Lou Whitaker, author and climber Dee Molenaar and his wife Colleen. Also many other pioneers in northwest climbing, kayaking, and environmental advocacy attended the evenings events.
Middle Green River Coalition, on behalf of participants of the 24th Annual Green River Cleanup, would like to thank our sponsors for making this year’s event the biggest cleanup to date.
Sponsors
The Courier-Herald
Cascade Land Conservancy
The Mountaineers
Washington State Parks
Mindful Intent Magazine
Greenwave Construction
Palmer Coking and Coal
Covington Rotary
Wabash Nursery
Rock Ridge Orchards
Black Diamond Bike and Backcountry
Spider Lake Winery
Dinkleman Worm Farm
Kayak Academy
David Elliott
The Green River Cleanup is the oldest river cleanup event in Washington State and is organized by Washington Recreational River Runners, Friends of the Green with new support from Middle Green River Coalition.
Other Participants include: American Whitewater, Washington Kayak Club, Paddle Trails
Canoe Club, University Kayak Club, Sierra Club, King County, “Keeping the
Claw Clean”, Veterans for Conservation, Black Diamond Historical Society,
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Green River Community College Students,
Green-Duwamish Watershed Alliance, Boeing Employees Whitewater and Touring Club.
For more information about Middle Green River Coalition visit our main site at: www.mgrc.org
Additional Links:
Blog by Tom O’keefe in The Mountaineers Blog
