Okanogan Conservation District, the Town of Twisp and the Methow Valley Clean Air Project, are sponsoring a free community chipping event on May 12 to help residents dispose of woody debris without adding harmful smoke to their neighborhood air.

The event is limited to the first 25 people to register via the Okanogan CD website at www.okanogancd.org/events. Each person who signs up may bring between 1 and 2 pickup loads of clean, natural woody debris no larger than 5” in diameter (no lumber, weeds, leaves, or needles). The exact drop-off location in Twisp will be provided after registration is confirmed. Deadline to sign up is May 7.

Once the materials have been chipped, registrants may return the following week to pick up wood chips for use in landscapes, gardens, and compost piles. Because wood chips can be a hazard during wildfire season, participants will also receive information on safe ways to use wood chips around homes and other buildings.

This event is made possible by funding to the Okanogan Conservation District from an Environmental Protection Agency Pollution Prevention grant to reduce particulate pollution from smoke.