Special to the Reporter

At its meeting on Sept. 2, the Mercer Island City Council adopted proclamations to raise awareness of several important issues during the month of September.

These include: National Recovery Month, which relates to substance abuse and mental health conditions; Hunger Action Month, issues directly addressed by the city’s Youth and Family Services; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; and National Preparedness Month, to promote emergency preparedness.

Additionally, the city council issued a fifth proclamation, titled “Reaffirming Our Commitment to Safe and Respectful Communities,” in the wake of the school shooting on Aug. 27 at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It affirms the city’s shared commitment to protect the dignity and safety of children in schools and worshippers in faith communities, in Mercer Island and across the country.

Become an ash tree ally

Locals can help preserve Mercer Island’s ash trees by joining the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Community Science Project. With the recent West Coast arrival of EAB — a destructive, invasive beetle species that targets ash trees — the city of Mercer Island is proactively working to locate all ash trees, and it needs residents’ help.

Islanders can get started by learning to identify ash tree species and start looking for EAB in neighborhoods and parks. Then, log their locations in a free geolocated app. Report ash trees with signs of EAB by emailing urban.forestry@mercerisland.gov and contacting the Washington Invasive Species Council.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/become-ash-tree-ally

Serve as a Mercer Island forest steward

Islanders can level up their love for forests, parks and open spaces by becoming a Mercer Island forest steward. Forest stewards help with ecological restoration efforts on the Island by adopting a park, or section of a park, and performing various restoration tasks like weed removal, native planting, and mulching; leading volunteer efforts; and helping to educate the public.

If locals are interested in joining like-minded nature lovers and want to contribute to sustainability efforts, they can consider attending two upcoming orientations for prospective forest stewards: part one is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Luther Burbank Park, and part two is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Clarke Beach Park.

To learn more and fill out a required application, visit the city’s website at: https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/forest-steward-orientation-luther-burbank-park-0