(photo credit: https://waste-ed.co.za/)

Our mission at the Dungeness River Nature Center is, “To inspire understanding, respect, and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources”. Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility by all those who affect the environment, which can be practiced through the efficient use of natural resources and the protection of ecosystems. Stewardship is something that everybody, people of all ages, can participate in to help make a difference in our Dungeness watershed! This summer, we will be launching the River Center’s first-ever eco-brick project!

Eco-bricking is a way that we can give single-use plastic (that would otherwise be discarded) a “second life”, by transforming them into versatile building blocks. Like the name suggests, when built correctly, an eco-brick can be as strong as a concrete brick! Eco-bricking is a form of plastic sequestration that positively impacts our planet by keeping plastic pollution out of streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Creating eco-bricks is an accessible, practical solution that enables everyone to play their part as watershed stewards.

Throughout the summer, the River Center will be open to the collection of completed eco-bricks. We will also be providing a variety of resources in order to educate the community about what goes into eco-bricks and how to build them. The River Center will be hosting an eco-brick building party (Friday July 19th, 1-2 p.m.) for you to create your bricks while connecting with others in the community!

All successful projects are not complete without incentive. For every eco-brick you complete and turn in, you will be enter into a raffle for a chance to win a Dungeness River Nature Center hoodie! The more eco-bricks you create, the more likely you’ll be to win! Once all eco-bricks have been collected, all of them will be donated to Bainbridge Island to be used in projects for their community.

Continue to be on the lookout for more information on our summer eco-brick project through our website and our social media platforms. We will be teaching the community how to correctly build eco-bricks and about recycling in Clallam County.

Here is a video on YouTube that explains what eco-bricks are and how to build them: