About 100 kids, parents, reporters, conservationists, monsters and beauty queens (okay, just one monster and one beauty queen) showed up at Alki Beach in West Seattle on May 31 to celebrate the launch of MudUp—the official campaign to get the public involved in getting dirty for Puget Sound.

As the Mud Monster’s big official debut, he told the story of his lost home to the audience through interpreter Jeff Compton of The Nature Conservancy. Jeff also introduced Miss Emerald City, Allison Rone, who arrived wearing a tiara, a hot pink dress and rubber boots—perhaps setting a new fashion trend for green-minded Puget Sound residents? Jeff told the crowd that this day, which Governor Chris Gregoire has officially proclaimed as MudUp Day for Puget Sound, is a historic juncture, because today is the day that we start chipping away at our goals to create 10 new waterfront parks and natural areas, restore 100 miles of shorelines, and protect 1,000 miles of shorelines. Jeff said, “MudUp gives people a way to get outside on our beautiful shorelines and get a little dirty—or a lot dirty—for a good cause.”

This day on the beach was also a chance for Bill Ruckelshaus, Chair of the Governor-appointed Puget Sound Partnership to talk about the reasons why he’s excited MudUp is moving forward, working collaboratively with the state’s cleanup effort. He emphasized that since this is such a huge task, it’s so important for everyone to become aware and committed to cleaning up the Sound. He even made things official by cutting a ceremonial beach grass “ribbon” with a pair of oversized shears, and shaking hands with his new pal, the Mud Monster.

 Volunteers from People For Puget Sound, The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land were all present to voice their support for MudUp and to demonstrate all the different activities you can do to help clean up Puget Sound—from writing your legislator to participating in beach restoration projects.

 MudUp also invited Big Dirt (the aptly named local folk band) to play the debut performance of MudUp’s official theme song (lyrics below).

 After all of the speeches and festivities, everyone kicked back, enjoyed a chocolate mud ball and a glass of swamp monster drink, and took in the spectacular view of our very own Puget Sound.

View the full photo album

THIS SOUND IS YOUR SOUND

  Chorus:

This Sound is your Sound, this Sound is my Sound

From Golden Gardens, to the San Juan Islands

From Olympic forest, to the Narrows’ waters

This Sound was made for you and me

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps

To the sparkling sands of our parks and beaches

And all around me a voice was calling

This Sound was made for you and me

 
Repeat Chorus

 
The sun came shining as I was strolling

The sailboats sailing and the rain clouds rolling

As the fog was lifting, a voice came chanting

This Sound was made for you and me

 
Repeat Chorus

 
As I was walking a ribbon of tideway

I saw above me an endless skyway

I saw below me a golden blue sea

This Sound was made for you and me