The Middle Green River Coalition has been voicing the values and vision of environmental stewardship in Southeast King County for over 10 years. A strong commitment to the watershed keeps this handful of passionate and knowledgeable individuals busy year after year. Applying for official nonprofit status a few years ago prompted a board restructuring and a new look. Now the organization is reaching out to the public with a hand-crafted message and a full schedule of events.

MGRC’s focus in the past was the Green River Gorge and pursuing Wolf Bauer’s preservation plan with state parks. Today, the organization continues to engage with park staff and attend commission meetings to stay updated on the agency’s plans for the  Green River Gorge Conservation area.

MGRC has also been expanding its reach in the greater watershed to coordinate restoration and trail building projects on both sides  of the river. For over three years, MGRC has been shoveling its resources into a stretch of public land just south of the middle Green River called the Bass, Beaver, Dandy Lakes Complex. The organization’s efforts there involve removal of invasive species and replanting with natives grown in the nursery. Returning the land that surrounds the lakes back to forest takes a lot of dedicated time, effort and money. It’s sure to be a long process with varying degrees of success, but with dedication the organization hopes to see the lakes complex restored sooner rather than later.

Building connections with the local business community has helped Middle Green River Coalition run successfully on the energy of volunteers alone. Work done by MGRC receives funding and oversight from King County with REI as a corporate sponsor as well.

But the MGRC wants to inspire more local residents and businesses to advocate, protect, and enhance natural areas in the middle Green River watershed. Stewardship of public land is often overlooked so the group uses the power of rock to get people’s attention.

MGRC’s annual Rock the Green event will be held at the Green River Community College this year on Aug. 11. The event kicks off with a 5K/10K through the Auburn Narrows Natural Area followed by live music, a beer garden, food and a variety of booths. To find out more about projects and events or how you can help steward public land, visit www.mgrc.org.

Courtney Feeney is the King County Ambassador to Cedar Downs Park and has been the secretary for the Middle Green River Coalition for nearly three years. She can be reached at editor@covingtonreporter.com.