Volunteers Dig In At Hartman Park

Nearly 100 volunteers descended on  in Redmond's Education Hill neighborhood this Saturday to help make Redmond a greener place.

The restoration effort was organized by the Green Redmond Partnership, a joint effort of the Cascade Land Conservancy and the City of Redmond

Saturday's event was part of a year-long restoration effort by the band Pearl Jam to offset the carbon emission costs of its 2009 tour by planting 33 acres of native trees in the Puget Sound region. It's estimated that the $210,000 donation will offset more than seven tons of carbon.

The eager volunteers at Hartman Park spent four hours grading baseball fields, gathering garbage, and planting approximately 100 native trees and shrubs. Event organizer Andrea Mojzak of the Cascade Land Conservancy said professional crews planted an additional 1,300 trees last month in some of the park's more sensitive areas.

Jen Brown, a Redmond resident, said she came out to the event with her kids as a chance to "enjoy the day and feel productive," adding that the family uses Hartman Park on a regular basis.

Visit the Cascade Land Conservancy's online events calendar for a list of upcoming restoration projects in the greater Seattle area. 

-- Cat Rambo

Download the movie