Earth Day 2026 – Cumulative Actions in Restoration

17 hours ago
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“It is important to take action and to realize that we can make a difference, and this will encourage others to take action and then we realize we are not alone and our cumulative actions truly make an even greater difference.” ― Jane Goodall

A group of volunteers pull ivy off a hillside. — Working together, 65 volunteers removed 17 cubic yards of invasive plant species in celebration of Earth Day!

Two people pose with a handful of invasive plants. — Removing invasive plants helps support habitat for native fish and wildlife, improves water quality, and decreases erosion.

Earth is a big place, and it faces big challenges. This Earth Day we celebrated the difference that cumulative action can make in a corner of the Earth that we call home, Kenney Creek. Sixty-five volunteers joined Whatcom CD, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and Whatcom Land Trust in furthering the restoration efforts of Kenney Creek by removing invasive species from this important stretch of habitat.

People work along newly planted seedlings on a creek and up a hill. — This work helped protect the over 1000 native trees and shrubs planted by Orca Recovery Day volunteers in October.

Flowing into the north fork of the Nooksack river, Kenney Creek provides habitat for Chinook, pink, coho, and chum salmon as well as bull trout, bald eagles, elk, steelhead, black bear, deer, and more! Over the past year, dedicated volunteers and partners have planted more than two acres of native species, removed a fish passage barrier, and added large woody debris along the creek to support spawning salmon and other wildlife. The portion of Kenney Creek being restored connects the river with conservation land upstream, improving an entire corridor of fish and wildlife habitat, including endangered Spring Chinook salmon.

A group of people stand together with clippers. — Over the past year, dedicated volunteers and partners have planted more than two acres of native species, removed a fish passage barrier, and added large woody debris along the creek to support spawning salmon and other wildlife.

During the 2026 Earth Day Restoration Celebration, volunteers removed 17 cubic yards of invasive plants. Species like English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, policemen's helmet, and yellow archangel overcrowd native species which limits biodiversity, impacts pollinators, reduces shade and habitat, and exacerbates erosion. Many of these invasive species were encroaching on over 1000 native trees and shrubs planted by volunteers during Orca Recovery Day in 2025. Once the native trees have become established, invasive species face a harder time competing with the native species that are adapted to these climates and soils.

A group of people in work clothes stand next to newly planted seedlings. — Small actions can lead to large impacts when we work together. Thank you to everyone else celebrating Earth Day in 2026!

Small actions can lead to large impacts when we work together. What we accomplished at Kenney Creek impacts salmon, a keystone species for our entire Salish Sea region. Thank you for taking action for this small part of Earth we call home, Whatcom County, for Earth Day. Thank you to everyone else celebrating Earth Day in 2026!