April is Volun-tourism Month in the San Juans

Earth Day, Great Island Beach Clean-ups and BioBlitz offer opportunities to learn and give back as the islands get ready for summer

 — from Barbara Marrett, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau —

During the 2014 San Juan Islands Great Island Clean-Up, more than 250 people collected about 6250 pounds of litter from the roadsides and beaches of San Juan and Orcas Islands. This year, the clean-up effort is an opportunity to visitors to learn and give back on their springtime visits to the San Juan Islands, including the 10th Annual Earth Day Beach and Roadside Clean-up on Lopez Island. The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau website is a clearing house for Earth Day and “Volun-tourism” events in the San Juans, why not invite off-island friends and family to come and lend a hand? Off-season lodging specials, dining information and more can be found on the Visitors Bureau website.

Join in the costumed Procession of Species parade on Lopez, or enjoy from the sidelines. Find out about the Islands many feather friends and hear Richard Bach, Orcas resident and best-selling author of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull,” speak at the Orcas Island BirdFest.

Other Earth Day stewardship events throughout April make springtime a great learning opportunity for families with children. Find out what goes on behind the scenes at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center open house. Join the San Juan Island National Historical Park Bio-Blitz, a species inventory in which teams of volunteers, each led by an expert scientist, find, identify, and photograph as many species as possible within a defined amount of time. This snapshot view helps scientists look at many different habitats over the same period, and better understand what lives in this national treasure of a park, and help conserve it for future generations.

“The success of a BioBlitz depends greatly on the knowledge and enthusiasm of the participants,” said Raena Parsons, park education specialist. “Come join us and share your knowledge.”

April Volun-tourism Month Opportunities and Nature and Stewardship Events

Lopez Island

• The Great Lopez Island Clean-up Earth Day Event, April 18, BLM, San Juan Islands National Monument, San Juan County Land Bank
• Procession of the Species Earth Day Celebration, April 18, Lopez Island Conservation Corps

Orcas Island

• Great Island Clean-up, April 18
• Orcas Island BirdFest, April 30 – May 3, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce

San Juan Island

• Open House at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center, April 4, Wolf Hollow
• Southern Resident Orca C.A.L.F. Workshop Part 2, April 11, The Whale Museum
• Great Island Clean-up, April 18
• Great South Beach Clean-up, April 18, FRIENDS of the San Juans
• Lime Kiln Point State Park’s Earth Day Spring into 2015 – Friends of Lime Kiln Society Lighthouse, April 19
• BioBlitz, April 25, San Juan Island National Historical Park
• Lodging Opportunity: Tucker House Inn – Earth Day Volun-Tourism Special, March 13 – April 4

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for San Juan County, Washington. The SJIVB’s mission is to promote the San Juan Islands as a preferred, year-round travel destination, while respecting and sustaining the Islands’ unique and diverse ecosystems, environments, lifestyles and cultures. If you would like more information, or would like to receive a brochure and map, please email us at info@visitsanjuans.com or call our friendly staff at (888) 468-3701 x1.