This year’s celebration marked a few milestones – the longest list of events and activities on Bainbridge, the largest number of participating organizations and the 10th anniversary of the Community Earth Day Fair at Town & Country.

Congratulations to Sue Transeaux, the entire T&C team and the dozens of organizations who started this tradition 10 years ago and continue to raise our awareness and compel us to take action for a better Planet.

Kudos, as well, to the 50 local environmental groups, schools, faith groups, and businesses who organized and participated in more than 20 events over the course of two weeks.

Many groups are long-time island institutions who, in addition to their ongoing advocacy work, projects and outreach, orchestrate major annual Earth Day activities.

They include: Weed Warriors, Association of Bainbridge Communities, BI-North Kitsap Interfaith Council, Earth Service Corps and many others; the BI Land Trust’s Native Plant Sale; Enviropalooza at IslandWood; and Woodward Middle School’s Litter Pick-up with Bainbridge Disposal.

Congratulations, too, to the local recipients of Kitsap County’s 2009 Earth Day Awards: Wilkes Elementary School’s “Green Team” of students, teachers and parents earned the Outstanding School Program award for improvements in recycling and reducing garbage; and the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island, especially Don Mannino and Elaine Tanner, earned the award for Excellence in Civic Environmental Leadership.

Kat Gjovik

Sustainable Bainbridge,

Earth Day Action Team