KIRKLAND, WA —Once again this year, the city of Kirkland is celebrating Earth Month in April.

To mark the occasion, the city has highlighted several programs and initiatives that are connected to its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Kirkland’s Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold said the city has a longstanding record of leadership in its stewardship, protection and enhancement of the environment.

” Earth Month is a reminder that communities and individuals can make a positive impact to reduce the use of fossil fuels, produce or purchase clean renewable energy to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental impacts, and reduce waste,” Arnold said. “The Kirkland community continually shows this commitment, and Earth Month is an opportunity to explore more ways to contribute.”

On April 19, the Kirkland City Council will formally proclaim April as Earth Month during its city council meeting.

At the same meeting, the city council also will deliver its first update to Kirkland’s Sustainability Master Plan (SMP), which was revealed on Dec. 8, 2020.

The plan identified close to 200 actions the city and community can take to help achieve its environmental, economic and equitable sustainability goals.

Since the plan was revealed, the city has taken several actions mapped out in plan, including appointing a sustainability manager and adopting high-performance building standards for major development projects.

These high-performance standards are designed to reduce energy and water use in buildings, improve indoor air quality and move Kirkland toward decarbonizing the built environment.

Kirkland, which was named a 2021 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, also recently updated the Tree Code that balances property development with the preservation of trees. Now, the code supports the city’s effort to preserve and maintain a 40-percent tree canopy in the city.

Other events related to environmental stability in April —and throughout the year — include:

• State Parks Free Day: April 22 is a no-fee day at all Washington State Parks, including Bridle Trails Park and St. Edward State Park.
• Habitat Stewardship Events with Green Kirkland Partnership: At these events, which are held year-round, participants volunteer to restore parks, forests and natural spaces.
• Cascade Water Alliance Gardner Series: These are free gardening classes offering lessons in how to garden smarter with sustainability and water use in mind.
• The Certificate Program: The city now covers tree planting certificates of up to $500 per property for use at participating nurseries.
• Yard Smart Rain Rewards: The program provides technical assistance and financial rebates of up to $3,000 for private property owners to install rain gardens, cisterns and native landscaping that helps to manage the flow of rainwater runoff on their property.
• Let’s Quit Idling (in your vehicle): The city’s anti-idling public awareness campaign is a community-led effort to educate the community about the effects of idling on the environment and to encourage residents to turn off their engines when not driving.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging In Kirkland: The city offers multiple free EV charging stations, which are located at City Hall, Marina Park and the Kirkland Library.
• Kirkland Green Trip: This online resource allow residents to plan the most environmentally sustainable routes for their drives to work, school and home.

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Originally Appeared Here