Our community beach cleanup earlier this month reminded me that even the smallest acts can have a lasting impact. On the morning of July 9, I witnessed the convergence of environmental stewardship, community service, and civic engagement, and I walked away with a renewed sense of hope for our future.
Our second annual community beach cleanup took place this year at Meadowdale Beach Park, where nearly 100 volunteers collected almost 130 pounds of litter and debris from the shoreline. Every bottle, plastic bag, and piece of trash removed represents one less threat to the marine life we all cherish and one more step toward preserving this special place for future generations.
Families, youth, community organizations, and local elected officials worked side by side toward a common goal. Protecting our environment is not solely the responsibility of government. It is a shared responsibility that belongs to all of us.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was seeing so many young people volunteer. More than half of our volunteers were youth who chose to spend part of their summer giving back to the community. In doing so, they weren’t just helping to protect our shoreline. They were learning the value of service, stewardship, and civic responsibility. Spending time outdoors with family and friends while working toward a meaningful purpose is the kind of experience that can become a lasting memory and shape how young people view their role in the community.
Volunteering, even just once, can inspire a lifetime of civic engagement. That’s why events like this matter. While removing 130 pounds of trash is a meaningful accomplishment, one cleanup alone will not restore or protect our shorelines. But if these experiences inspire even a handful of young people to become lifelong volunteers and community leaders, the impact will extend far beyond a single morning. Our communities will benefit for years to come.
I am especially grateful to the community partners who made this event possible. WSU Extension Beach Watchers, the Greater Seattle Korean Association, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, and The Grove Church helped organize, mobilize, and transport volunteers throughout the day. I also appreciate my fellow elected officials, State Rep. Strom Peterson, Mayor Mike Rosen, Councilmember Vivian Olson, Councilmember Jason Moon, and Fire Commissioner Joe Wankelman for joining us and demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Our beaches, forests, parks, and waterways are among Snohomish County’s greatest treasures. Protecting them requires all of us to do our part, whether through volunteering, conservation, or simply leaving our natural spaces better than we found them. By embracing environmental stewardship today, we can preserve these places for future generations while inspiring the next generation of changemakers to lead our community tomorrow.
Nate Nehring is an elected member of the Snohomish County Council. Nate and his wife, Savannah, are both lifelong residents of Snohomish County, where they are now raising their four young children. Councilmember Nehring can be reached by email at Nate.Nehring@snoco.org.
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Author: Lynnwood Times Contributor
