Mercer Island city staff were hearing that residents wanted to return to the great outdoors to participate in some forest stewardship.

Kim Frappier, the city’s natural resources specialist, said that with nonprofit partner EarthCorps doing outreach on holding smaller-scale restoration events during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercer Island wanted to slowly start getting back on board.

“People care about the natural areas on Mercer Island and they love our forested parks. They’re very invested in their health and sustainability and they want to be involved in being part of that solution to care for them,” Frappier said.

The city’s Public Works Department got off to a soft start with a few five-volunteer events (in addition to one or two EarthCorps staffers) in August. Another event was held on Oct. 3 at Clarke Beach Park, and next up is an event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at Pioneer Park.

The top priority is safety for staff and volunteers, who are following the pandemic protocols of two shifts from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m., social distancing and masking up. Volunteers must register for their shifts in advance and online; drop-ins are not allowed like during pre-COVID times. When volunteers arrive, they check in using their phones to avoid any potential exposure.

Whereas the former 20- to 30-person events involved volunteers choosing their work tools that were laid out on site, they are now given a set of sanitized tools before work commences.

Frappier said that everyone has been respectful of the guidelines while working hard at the events, which are scheduled through the end of the year.

“This is a way for people to really come together because they’re outdoors. It’s safer, we have big spaces that people can really spread out in,” Frappier said. “I think it’s a way for people to connect with nature and to give back to their community in a meaningful way.”

The city has partnered with EarthCorps for more than 10 years, and Frappier noted that part of that nonprofit’s mission is to teach people about forest ecology, restoration practices and the importance of maintaining the health of the natural areas.

Bill Brosseau, EarthCorps’ field director, added about the recent restoration activity on the Island: “From our perspective, these events were a huge success. With all the uncertainty we face personally and as a nation right now, the opportunity to meet others, have a conversation and literally get your hands dirty is a wonderful ‘normal’ thing that EarthCorps is proud to offer the Mercer Island community.”