KINGSTON — There were a lot of promises made at the fifth annual EcoFest last weekend — pledges to plant trees, eat more organic foods and educate others about helping Mother Earth. These vows, which were written on brightly colored flags throughout the day, fluttered in the breeze over the Stillwaters Education Center property April 24, reminding everyone of their oaths to do their part in bettering the planet.

And to help emphasize keeping these promises, a local environmentalist was recognized for her work for greener causes, proving that one person really can make a difference for the Earth.

Miller Bay resident Virginia Cowling was honored with the West Sound Conservation Council’s Mother Earth Award for 2004. U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee was on hand to present the honor to Cowling during the festival.

“I can tell you are all environmentalists, so I’m in my element,” she said after receiving the award.

Cowling has been working to keep the Earth healthy since she was a young woman during the Depression. More recently, she has helped protect forested land in Kitsap County by selling 14 acres of her property to the Suquamish Tribe for natural salmon hatcheries and to be maintained as open space forever. Following that, the two creeks on the property were named North and South Cowling Creek. She has also donated a total of 7.5 acres of her land on Miller Bay to the Great Peninsula Conservancy. Cowling provides tours of her densely forested property to schoolchildren and teaches them about the environment. She is a member of the Friends of Miller Bay, a community group working to purchase 18 acres of undeveloped land.

While Cowling thought it was “great” she got to meet Inslee, one of her friends had another thought about the two meeting.

“I thought Jay Inslee should be delighted to meet Virginia Cowling,” said Niki Quester.

Throughout the day, nearly 600 people showed up at the festival to partake in the Earth Day activities (the biggest attendance yet, said organizers) and even take home a fact or two about conservation and ecology. With more than 40 booths providing information on various ways to be more “eco-friendly,” several festival attendees found gleaning facts here and there.

Eleven-year-old Rose Bishop of Kingston, who was painting a rock at one of the craft tables, said she learned when fishermen leave their nets in the water, it can kill reefs.

“I thought that was interesting,” she said.

Melinda McMahon of Hansville, who brought her 2 1/2 year old daughter to the event, Bridget, said the festival helped support the organic efforts she was trying to implement at home.

“I’ve been trying not to put the weed killers on the lawn,” she said, adding that she was able to get information on grasses and insects for her natural garden.

Doug Montgomery of Kingston brought his 9-year-old daughter Claire because of her love of science.

“She’s really interested in ecology and swamps and bugs,” he said with a chuckle. “She’s very much into science.”