Award-winning trails ensemble launches new series, seeks new recruits

Published 10:45 am Thursday, October 30, 2014

From Roche Harbor to American camp, the opportunities to walk, hike and bike on San Juan Island are plentiful.

While islanders have been busy playing during summer and fall months, San Juan Island Trails Committee has been busy planning winter activities to engage the community and maintain trails.

“This is Washington, everything grows like crazy here,” Trails’ Dave Zeretzke said. “Whether it’s a garden, pasture or forest—there’s a profusion of plant life.”

That’s why the committee is seeking volunteers to do light outdoor labor, a few hours per month, to help with trail clearing and upkeep.

For those that may not have a forte for flinging dirt and wielding shovels, there are opportunities to be involved in public outreach, website design, planning and committee governance.

Are you an avid birdwatcher or mushroom hunter? Trail stewards and monitors are also being sought. Individuals would essentially take responsibility for a trail, walk it once a month, take note of vegetation and wildlife, and report the findings back to the trails committee.

What started from a group of retiree’s known as the “Friday Walkers” four years ago, has turned into a monthly event not just for those living a life of leisure.

“Know Your Island Walks” was the brain-child of the Trails’ Eileen Drath, who wanted to share community walking events with residents who were unable to join on the weekday. KYI walks take place on a Saturday.

“I thought, let’s help people know their island,” Drath said. “And have it on a day when everyone can participate.”

In March 2014, the trails committee was granted a state award for its walk series.

The mobile gathering is in hibernation for a few months but will return on the fourth Saturday of January 2015, and will run—or rather, walk through October.

Drath hopes to have one walk that is wheelchair accessible integrated into the program by next year, and to provide a carpool service to future walks.

A spin-off of “walks” will begin Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m., at the library. “Know Your Islander’s Talks” gives listeners the opportunity to hear some of the amazing adventures had by their island neighbors.

From snow-camping in Mount Rainier, to living off the land in Alaska, to swimming with dolphins in Zanzibar, all presentations will touch on the adventurous human spirit and unique experiences in the great outdoors.

The first talk will feature a presentation by Bob Anderson, and his stories of surveying Mount Rainier.

“There are a lot of people who can’t go walking, but want to know what’s going on,” Drath said. “That’s why we started this.”