After the materials are assembled onsite, planted with native tules and cattails, the island will be launched into the waters surrounding Clarks Island in Clearlake Oaks.
The 150 square-foot floating island, delivered in three pieces, will be assembled on Clarks Island.
After planting with cattails and tules, it will then be “launched” into the water and moved to the permanent location between the Tower Mart dock and the bridge to Clarks Island.
Representatives from Floating Islands West, including the sales manager, biologist, plants specialist and production staff will be on hand with an informational display and to answer questions from the public.
Two 350-pound anchors will keep the island in position. The anchors and hardware (a $1,500 value) have been donated to the Clarks Island Sustainability Initiative by Floating Islands West. The 150 square-foot island was constructed from 2,250 recycled plastic bottles.
Located between the Tower Mart and the Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch, near Island Drive on East Highway 20, the purchase of Clarks Island for open space was identified as a priority by the community.
In 2008 the Lake County Redevelopment Agency purchased Clarks Island, relocated the dozen mobile home residents, removed debris, and rezoned the property as open space.
Since January 2010, a group of community volunteers have been meeting under the direction of District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing to develop a concept plan for Clarks Island that aligns with the Clarks Island Feasibility Study approved by the Board of Supervisors in April of 2009.
The focus of the plan is on the environment and sustainability, with aspects of natural earth building, native and Native American plantings, a kayak stopping spot, a demonstration trail, tule revegetation, and interpretive signage.
The Clarks Island Sustainability Initiative, led by community volunteers, received the go-ahead from the Lake County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Redevelopment Agency to purchase and install floating islands, as well as install a natural building project at the entryway to Clarks Island.
The Clarks Island Sustainability Initiative has raised more than $7,000 in cash donations and extensive in-kind donations from the community for these efforts.
Paula Britton, environmental director for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, also has offered to perform water testing near the floating island and baseline water tests have now been completed.
The island's natural building project also is in its fourth week, led by nationally-renowned natural building designer and instructor, Massey Burke.
Engaging the community in the building process, to date Burke has worked with more than 100 volunteers of all ages at Clarks Island, including students from Carlé High School in Lower Lake, East Lake Elementary in Clearlake Oaks, Marin Academy in San Rafael, Developing Virtue School in Ukiah and the University of San Francisco have participated in making adobe bricks, laying foundations of “urbanite” (reclaimed concrete chunks from broken-up sidewalks, pavement, etc.), building walls,
plastering and more.
For more information on these projects, visit www.konoctitrails.com/clarks-island.
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