Tonight, an update from the Alki Community Council on the beach cleanup we checked in on this morning:

The Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters would like to thank those who turned out this morning to help clean Alki Beach.

The day started with a briefing by Kristin Wilkinson [above], NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Expert, on the impact that our litter and trash has on marine life when it gets into Puget Sound. Colleen Hackett, Parks Volunteer Programs Coordinator, then gave us our assignments for the morning. The 29 volunteers, led by a large group from AmeriCorps, picked up trash from the west end of the Park through 54th Place SW. Enough time was available to assist Parks by removing the sand, brought in by this past winter’s storms, from the steps along Alki Avenue.

The Council hopes to coordinate with Seattle Parks & Recreation, local businesses, and community members in an effort to minimize the problem of litter on Alki this coming summer season.

We want to thank Pioneer Coffee, Tully’s, and Starbucks, for their donation of coffee to get our volunteers off to a good start. Thanks to Robin Lindsey, of Seal Sitters, for arranging the talk by Kristin Wilkinson, and also to Larry Carpenter, of the ACC, for coordinating this event with Parks. If you want additional information on how you can become involved, contact Larry at 206-938-0887.

You’re also welcome at the ACC’s next monthly meeting, this Thursday at 7 at Alki UCC Church (6112 SW Hinds).