Started in 1992, Make a Difference Day, which falls on the fourth Saturday in October every year, is one of the largest national days of service.
The day’s local volunteer opportunities are all outside, either picking up trash or benefiting local air, water and habitat quality by planting native flora. The long-range forecast for Saturday calls for cloudy skies and a chance of rain. Volunteers should wear clothing appropriate for working outside, namely long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. In the spirit of environmental stewardship, agencies involved are encouraging participants to bring a reusable water bottle with them to keep hydrated while working.
Volunteers younger than 18 and their parents will need to fill out consent forms. More information and links for most of the events can be found online at www.cityofvancouver.us/madd.
• From 9 a.m. to noon volunteers will remove litter left behind by visitors on the Columbia River’s beaches and wetlands. Participants will meet at the Water Resources Education Center lobby at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way and walk to the site.
• Clark County Public Works is teaming up with the Vancouver Ivy Near Elimination squad and Portland Parks & Recreation for the 15th annual No Ivy Day. From 9 a.m. to noon volunteers will remove non-native English ivy from Tenny Creek Neighborhood Park at 3105 N.E. 91st St. Volunteers can register online at http://bit.ly/NoTennyIvy.
• The Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington, which is celebrating its 10th birthday, will be planting thousands of trees and shrubs along Burnt Bridge Creek from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will gather at the Leverich Park shelter at 4501 N.E. Leverich Park Way and either walk or take a shuttle to the planting site. Contact Bethany Wray at 360-852-9189 or visit https://thewatershedalliance.org/event/make-a-difference-day-2018/ to sign up to volunteer.
• StreamTeam’s annual tree planting is 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Battle Ground. Participants will receive the address when they sign up to volunteer. Volunteers can enjoy live music, giveaways and lunch. Contact Ashley King at streamteam@clarkpud.com or 360-992-8585, or visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com/event/make-difference-day/ for more information.
• The annual Butt Stops Here cleanup of cigarette butts and litter in local parks is 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will meet at Luke Jensen Sports Park at 4000 N.E. 78th St. Blind Onion Pizza will provide lunch for volunteers at 11:30 a.m. For more information contact Clark County’s volunteer program assistant Dora Hernandez at 360-397-2285, ext. 1679 or dora.hernandez@clark.wa.gov, or Vancouver’s volunteer program coordinator Hailey Heath at 360-487-8316 or hailey.heath@cityofvancouver.us.
• The Ryan Woods Grassroots Community Award presentation, awarded to an outstanding community volunteer, is happening 9 a.m. at 1919 Main St. Afterwards, until noon, participants will clean up litter around Uptown Village.
