KITSAP — Students in Bremerton’s Living Life Leadership Program are helping to create a community run fruit and vegetable garden in downtown Bremerton.
In partnership with their neighborhood land trust, Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) and New Life Community Development Agency helped make the garden at the Marvin Williams Recreation Center possible.
This past May the GPC launched the “Bremerton Urban Roots Project” with a garden work party. Over 30 kids, teens, and adults from the community helped build raised beds, fill them with soil, and plant fresh fruits and vegetables. The youth will care for the garden with assistance from the GPC .
Community support for the project was made possible from the support of A & L Topsoil which donated the soil for the garden, Henery Hardware who donated the garden tools, Lowe’s helped with garden box materials and garden supplies, Fred Meyer contributed plants, and Jimmy John’s brought sandwiches for the volunteers. The project was also made possible from The Russell Family Foundation, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, and individual contributors.
During the summer months, “Bremerton Urban Roots Project” participants will also explore the outdoors, learn about the environment and develop new skills through weekly summer field trips to local parks.
To get more involved with the GPC there are several events planned over the next month:
National Trails Day Stewardship Event, June 2
Kitsap Forest & Bay partners to build an extension to the Shoreline Trail through the mature forest overlooking Port Gamble Bay. Meet at the Shoreline Trailhead Parking Lot off Hwy 104 south of Port Gamble Town. Bring water, gloves, and a shovel (and/or pruners). Stay for a BBQ picnic. R.S.V.P to info@northkitsaptrails.org
Carpenter Creek Estuary Tours, June 9
Tour the newly liberated Carpenter Creek estuary and enjoy live music and a native plant nursery sale at Stillwaters Environmental Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
National Day of Caring Work Party, June 22
Join United Way and Kitsap Forest & Bay partners to continue building an extension to the Shoreline Trail with new loop connections through the forest overlooking Port Gamble Bay. Sign up through United Way. Lunch and t-shirt provided. You can register at volunteerkitsap.org
Explore the Archaeology of Filucy Bay, June 23
Join archaeologists to explore GPC’s Filucy Bay Preserve. Learn about Native American shell middens that provide clues to the bay’s history 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. R.S.V.P to Kenna@GreatPeninsula.org
Clear Creek Trail Volunteer Appreciation Event, June 27
Volunteers and donors are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the trail at the interpretive center on Levin Road, 5:00 p.m. R.S.V.P. to volunteer@clearcreektrail.org
To learn more about the Great Peninsula Conservancy visit greatpeninsula.org.
