Join us in celebrating the 2024 Earth Day Award recipients!





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Kitsap County News






Join us in celebrating the 2024 Earth Day Award recipients on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.






*April 19, 2024?*

Congratulations 2024 Earth Day Award recipients!

"(Port Orchard, WA)" - Kitsap County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners celebrate environmental stewardship every year with Earth Day Awards [ [link removed] ]. Recipients are nominated by the public for their dedication to preserving, enhancing, and protecting Kitsap?s environment.

We received over 50 nominations this year, recognizing 40 individuals, groups, projects, and businesses doing amazing work. Thank you to all who submitted nominations. We're grateful to the many dedicated environmental stewards making a positive impact in our community. Congratulations to the 2024 Earth Day Award recipients!

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Clear Creek Salmon in the Classroom Program

Clear Creek Salmon in the Classroom program volunteers

Every year since 1987, Clear Creek Salmon in the Classroom program [ [link removed] ] works to restore Chum salmon runs while educating Kitsap?s youth. The program brings together local volunteers, organizations, governments, and students in celebration of this important species. Salmon, as a keystone species, are essential for the health and functioning of our ecosystems.

In 2024, 1,300 students participated in raising eggs donated by the Suquamish Tribe. Once the baby salmon grow from egg to alevin to fry, students release them into Clear Creek. Over 100 volunteers, 400 parents, and 30 educators worked together to teach the students about water quality, aquatic insects, and actions to take to protect salmon's habitat. Their hard work led to 2,800 Chum salmon being released into Clear Creek this past March!



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Joshua Wright

Joshua Wright

Joshua Wright is a forest campaigner who spends his time preserving and advocating for legacy forests around the Pacific Northwest. Joshua?s work in Kitsap began in 2023 when he learned of a 105 acre-timber sale called "Breaking Bud" above Lake Tahuya in Green Mountain State Forest. Partially located in Kitsap, Green Mountain State Forest is a naturally regenerated forest. This forest is home to a diverse mix of native plants and tree species, notably Douglas firs and Cedar trees with a diameter of up to 49 inches!

Upon learning of the sale by Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Joshua discovered and documented several rare plant communities inhabiting the forest. He brought this evidence to DNR, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, Kitsap Environmental Coalition, and the Center for Responsible Forestry, gaining support to delay the sale. DNR agreed with Joshua?s discoveries, acknowledging the unique ecosystem covers at least 257 acres of the state forest. Joshua?s tireless efforts resulted in the indefinite delay of the sale and a portion of the forest preserved.



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Kai Brock

Kai Brock is a Central Kitsap student whose passion for the environment and its inhabitants has led him to volunteer locally and globally. From joining international cleanups to counting Mariana fruit bats in Guam, Kai is determined to make a positive impact on the world around him. Locally, Kai has participated in salmon monitoring, macroinvertebrate sampling, the beach naturalist volunteer program, and invasive species management?to name a few! He can be found volunteering in various locations around Kitsap and Mason County.

With over 100 hours dedicated to hands-on conservation efforts, Kai has no plans of slowing down. His commitment to environmental conservation continues as he pursues higher education and a career as a biologist.?

Kai Brock

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Lisa Gordon Ramstad

Lisa Gordon Ramstad

Lisa Gordon Ramstad is a middle school teacher in Bremerton who believes all students should have an opportunity to explore the outdoors. Her enthusiasm for the environment and teaching led her to create a space for students to have access to environmental education.

In Fall 2022, she partnered with Great Peninsula Conservancy to create an innovative outdoor classroom for her students. Together, they developed an elective class called "Outdoor Leadership". The class teaches students how they can serve as leaders in the classroom, the outdoors, and in their communities. The program focuses on hands-on learning, such as creating nature art out of found materials, removing invasive plant species, and planting native plant species to increase biodiversity. Because of her program, students now have an intentional green space to learn about the environment around them.



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Reama Schuldt, business owner of Spread Supplies

Reama Schuldt

Bremerton business owner, Reama Schuldt, opened Spread Supplies [ [link removed] ] after recognizing that artists and crafters faced barriers to affordable tools and supplies. As an artist, Reama wanted to create a space that allowed community members to discover their potential using high-quality supplies.

To accomplish this, Spread Supplies offers both new and used supplies. Reama?s business approach of accepting donated supplies and tools keeps these items out of landfills while redistributing them to artists in need. In addition to her environmental stewardship, Spread Supplies has become a hub for the community. The store participates in local events, hosts live music and local artists, and organizes craft-making events that foster inclusivity.



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This year's award

Each Earth Day Award recipient will receive a one-of-a-kind award to honor their environmental achievements. This year's award was designed and created by Erika Harada [ [link removed] ], a local Bremerton artist. Erika is a multi-disciplinary artist who specializes in textile design, printmaking, and illustration.?

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Attend the award ceremony?

Join us in celebrating outstanding environmental stewardship at the 2024 Earth Day Awards ceremony on April 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. You can attend in person or virtually.

*In person*

*Kitsap County Commissioners? Chambers*
619 Division Street, 1st floor
Port Orchard, WA 98366

*Virtually through Zoom*

[link removed]

*Virtually by phone*

Dial 1-253-215-8782. When prompted, use webinar ID 832 4415 1574.






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Contact Information

Hannah Vinyard, Solid Waste Division Program Coordinator, 360.337.5777 or [email protected]
Kimberly Pleger, Public Works Communications Manager, 360.337.5777, 360.277.6032 or [email protected]

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Resources

Click the links below for more information about County resources.
"All news releases [ [link removed] ]? |??""County Home Page [ [link removed] ]? |??""Inclement Weather [ [link removed] ]? |??""The Road Repor [ [link removed] ]t [ [link removed] ]"

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Other Contacts





*Public Communications
**Manager
*Krista Carlson <[email protected]>
360.337.4558




*Commissioners'
Office
*Rebecca Pirtle <[email protected]>
360.337.4650




*Sheriff's Office
Public Information Officer
*Kevin McCarty <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
360.271.0728






*Kitsap Electronic Notification System*

Questions? Contact Kitsap1 at 360.337.5777 or [email protected]







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