Sammamish-Issaquah Families: Celebrate Earth Week

In honor of Earth Week, our roundup of family-friendly events focuses on the many upcoming events in Sammamish and Issaquah to celebrate Earth Week and to mark Disaster Readiness Month in Washington state.

Earth Week Kokanee Release

Join King County Executive Dow Constantine and other members of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group on Thursday, April 19, as they release several hundred juvenile kokanee salmon as part of an ongoing effort to return the declining native salmon population to robust health.

The event is at 1 p.m. at the Hans Jensen Youth Camp at Lake Sammamish State Park, 2000 NW Sammamish Rd., in Issaquah. Take Exit 15 from Interstate 90 in Issaquah, and follow the posted signs on sandwich boards along the East Lake Sammamish Parkway. The event is directly across the street from the state park’s boat launch.

The kokanee release is one of a number of environmental activities King County is promoting during Earth Week through the “It’s Easy Being Green” campaign. Visit the County’s website,http://www.kingcounty.gov/beinggreen, to discover a long list of green activities happening around the county and learn easy tips for saving money, conserving natural resources or improving our environment.

Sammamish Earth Day

The city of Sammamish is celebrating at . Volunteer from 9 a.m. - noon this Saturday, April 21.

If this is your first time to volunteer with the City of Sammamish, please fill out the Volunteer Agreement, found here:  https://www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/volunteer/VolunteerAgreement.aspx.

Sammamish Disaster Readiness Fair

Join the Sammamish Citizen Corps for exhibits, demonstrations, seminars and vendors, Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 801 228th Ave SE in Sammamish. There will be door prizes, food, a prize wheel, fire trucks, food storage demonstrations, electrical safety, and preparedness supplies! for a sneak preview of what to expect.

Issaquah Earth Day

On the first day of the Issaquah Farmer's Market this Saturday, April 21, the market will have Earth Day Exhibitors onsite from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Dairy Barn. The Issaquah Market will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday from April 21 to Oct. 13 at the Pickering Farm, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. in Issaquah. For more information, call 425-837-3311 or go to www.issaquahfarmersmarket.org.

The following organizations will be there: 3 Degrees & PSE’s Green Power Program, GAIT (Getting Around Issaquah Together), FISH (Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery), Cedar Grove Compost, Cascade Bicycle Club, Issaquah Environmental Council, Seattle Tilth and the Master Gardeners.

Arbor Day in Issaquah

The City of Issaquah also will celebrate Arbor Day on April 21, and asks for your help to plant trees! There will be 150 trees to plant along the Issaquah Creek and Pickering Trail, so volunteers are needed. If you would like to participate, please check in at the info booth near the Pickering Trail entrance from 9-11 a.m. Planting will take place from 11 a.m.-noon.  Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a pair of gardening gloves to wear. Snacks, water and tools will be provided. All are welcome to attend.

Come to the hatchery's Open House Sunday, April 22, from 12 – 4 p.m., and Help Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery kick off our summer long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the . There will be  salmon fish printing for the kids, speeches by dignitaries, historical displays, information about salmon and salmon habitat, a release of young chinook fry into Issaquah Creek and much more. Spend the afternoon and help FISH celebrate!

Erected as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project and opened in 1937, the hatchery restored salmon runs to Issaquah Creek that were desimated by coal mining and logging in the early part of the 20th century. Every fall Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon reared in the hatchery return to the creek to spawn. The miracle of their life cycle is celebrated by Issaquah the first weekend of October with Salmon Days. The journey begins in the spring. Come and watch the release.

What better way to celebrate Earth Week than to take care of our own bodies, support local kids, and have some fun? The first annual Boys & Girls Club Sammamish 10K/5K! Event will include a chip timed 10K, 5K, and a 1K “Fun Run” for youth ten and under, sponsor and vendor booths in the parking lot, and Teen Center tours.  Start and finish lines will be at the . 

Start Times
7:30am - 10K starts
7:45am - 5K starts
9:30am - Fun Run starts

Registration Fees and Shirts
1K Fun Run: Free (Parents must still register their children)
5K: $30 through April 8. $40 starting April 9.
10K: $40 through April 8. $50 starting April 9.

To register, visit the event website.

All paying 5K and 10K registrants will receive a long sleeved technical shirt. Registrations or purchases made after April 6th are not guaranteed a shirt. Register or make your purchase before April 6th!
Registration is free for the Fun Run and for youth or teen members of the Boys & Girls Club or Teen Center who wish to participate in the 10K or 5K. Tech shirts are NOT included, but short sleeved cotton t-shirts are available for $10. Register online here at this site or in person at the Teen Center or Plateau Runner.