CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Approximately 70 citizen-soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard's Recruit Sustainment Program will partner with Citizens for a Healthy Bay to protect and facilitate growth of the Gog-Le-Hi-Te wetlands along the Puyallup River on Sunday, October 24.

This community service project is part of a nationwide National Guard initiative known as "Guard the Environment."  The program is designed to protect and enhance the environment in our communities and reaffirm the Guard's commitment to the environment.

"Members of the Washington National Guard live and serve in communities all over the state.  Fulfilling our civic duty to the environment enhances the quality of life for us all," said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, the Adjutant General.

The "Guard the Environment" program is also designed to be an educational opportunity for our citizen-soldiers. Partnering with local organizations dedicated to environmental health and sustainment provides a hands-on classroom through community service.  

The area known as the Gog-le-hi-te wetlands were once a landfill along the Puyallup River. The Puyallup Indians named the off-channel sites to mean "where the land and waters meet."  The man-made wetlands support a healthy ecosystem with thousands of plants, more than 100 types of birds and a variety of mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians.