Alexander Pope famously wrote, “To err is human,” and as a newspaper, any of the errors we make in our job are in print and for all to see. While we strive to have accurate information all of the time, human error steps in occasionally and mistakes are made.
In last week’s editorial, I shared information about the upcoming Great Islands Cleanup, however, I erred by sharing inaccurate and outdated information. I’d like to take the time to correct that error now.
I highly encourage islanders (and tourists) to help keep the islands clean by participating in the Great Islands Cleanup this weekend, Saturday, April 24.
On San Juan Island, contact Katie at katie@sanjuans.org to sign-up for a pickup location (either a road or beach). You can get bags, grabbers, safety vests, and gloves at the San Juan County Public Works office at 915 Spring St. Drive through the Transfer Station at 212 Sutton Road from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday and Saturday to drop off your litter and report your service. Please remember to have your totals of volunteer hours and miles of beach/road cleaned for the attendant so we can measure our Great Islands Clean-up impact.
On Lopez, meet between 9-10 a.m. behind the Public Works buildings next to Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District — the Dump — to pick up trash collection equipment and receive beach and roadway assignments. Due to COVID considerations, registration will be a drive-through event where participants can register for a beach or road route, borrow trash grabbers, vests, and gloves. The first Zero Waste Hero Award will be given to Mike Moore this year at 10 a.m. following registration.
On Orcas, any trash you pick up on the roads or beaches can be dropped off at the transfer station with information on where you cleaned up and the number of hours you volunteered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grabbers, gloves, bags, and safety vests will be available for pickup at The Exchange. Bring in any abandoned roadside or beach tires you find along with your litter bags. If you find one that is too large or unsafe to move, please reach out to pete@exchangeorcas.org to let organizers know where they are and they will arrange to have the tire picked up.
