City of Kirkland to Lead State in Developing Environmentally Friendly Shorelines

MEDIA EVENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2017
CONTACT:

Nicole Faghin, Washington Sea Grant at 206-685-8286 or email faghin@uw.edu.Kathy Cummings, City of Kirkland at 425-979-6562 or email KCummings@kirklandwa.gov

City of Kirkland to Lead State in Developing Environmentally Friendly Shorelines Media event and tours to be held Thursday, May 4, 2017

10:30 a.m.-noon

Kirkland – The City of Kirkland will be the first Washington State community to sign up as a Green Shores for Homes city. The Green Shores for Homes program, managed by Washington Sea Grant, is a certification-based program designed to encourage waterfront homeowners, contractors and government jurisdictions to create sustainable, soft shoreline solutions for waterfront properties.

A media event, scheduled for Thurs., May 4 on the site of a Green Shores for Homes residence in Kirkland, WA, will officially announce Kirkland’s participation and provide an opportunity to learn from experts about the environmental and economic benefits of soft shorelines, as opposed to the more traditional hard armoring found on most Washington waterfront properties.

Green Shores for Homes (GSH) provides tools for developing environmental, recreational, scenic and shoreline protection benefits that result from a preserved or restored shoreline. GSH is a voluntary, incentive-based program similar to green building rating programs, such as Built Green™ and LEED.™

The City of Kirkland is partnering with Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, to promote development of environmentally friendly shorelines. The program provides incentives to contractors, landscape professionals and homeowners who apply for permits for projects receiving Green Shores for Homes certification.

Christian Gietz, Shoreline Planner for the City of Kirkland comments, “The City recognizes the value of Green Shores for Homes as a win-win approach that promotes environmentally-friendly shorelines. We hope other cities will follow in our footsteps.”

The press event will be held at the Bendich residence, a Green Shores for Homes certified landscape. The Bendich’s landscaping represents one of the first in the area to be awarded a certification. The event will include guided tours of the property.

Media Event:

What: Green Shores for Homes Media Event and Tour

When: Thursday, May 4, 2017

10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. (open house)

Where: 6045 NE 135^th St Kirkland, WA 98034

To RSVP or for more information, contact Nicole Faghin at 206-685-8286 or email faghin@uw.edu. To learn more about Green Shores for Homes: Green Shores for Homes.

Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. www.wsg.washington.edu.

Join the conversation: @WASeaGrant and Facebook.com/WaSeaGrant.