In August and September, a new six-site, environmental-focused project, “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King,” will be unveiled in five Northwest locations — including one on Vashon.

The project features six large-scale hand-built whimsical troll sculptures, each telling a specific part of an underlying environmental story, designed by acclaimed Danish environmental artist and storyteller Thomas Dambo.

Vashon’s participation in the troll project is a collaboration between multiple island organizations including the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, Vashon Parks District, Vashon Land Trust, and Vashon Center for the Arts.

According to Lynann Politte, the project manager for Vashon’s participation in the project, the location of Vashon’s sculpture will soon be announced.

Scan Design Foundation is managing the collaborative effort with funding, media and site partners from across the region.

“We are excited to showcase the creative ingenuity of Dambo’s work to Northwest audiences in this ambitious exhibition,” said Fidelma McGinn, president of Scan Design Foundation. “His message of turning trash into treasure and building community through art will resonate with all who experience his mystical troll sculptures.”

Fashioned entirely out of recycled materials, the large-scale public installations tell a tale of protecting nature and honoring the land and waterways. With a focus on illustrating the impact of humans on life in watersheds and animal habitats, the project includes a companion story — focused on the restoration and preservation of riparian habitats in an approachable, fun way.

The sculptures are aimed at providing visual delight, as well as opportunities for youth and adults alike to learn, support, and make a difference in protecting the environment.

“I want people to know that trash has value,” same Dambo. “My trolls do that and also help me tell stories. In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular, everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”

Because the trolls will be located on traditional Coast Salish territories, the project is working closely with the Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie tribes — celebrating the human experience of art by amplifying the network of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Danish and Scandinavian traditions.

“Working shoulder to shoulder with Thomas and his team was a real trade of our respective cultures,” said John Halliday, also known as Coyote, a Muckleshoot tribe member who was selected by the tribal council to represent Muckleshoot art and culture in an artist exchange in Denmark this spring, sponsored by Scan Design. “I feel we are kindred spirits and … life-long friends. I’m proud to be part of the Dambo tribe now, too.”

With 100 sculptures located all over the world, Dambo’s trolls have begun to have a life of their own, inspiring “troll hunters” to seek them out and fulfill Dambo’s vision of creating art that inspires people to get outside to explore, have adventures, and protect natural spaces.

“The Way of the Bird King” will be the first Dambo trolls to be placed in the Pacific Northwest, linking this region to the worldwide phenomenon.

The discussion about Vashon being a location for one of Dambo’s artworks started three years ago, when Charlotte Gavel Adams, Vashon resident and Professor Emerita and Barbro Osher Endowed Chair of Swedish Studies at the University of Washington, started talking to various people and organizations on the island.

She got the attention of Politte, as well as Cheryl Lubbert, of the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, and Vashon Park District’s director, Elaine Ott-Rocheford. They, along with Adams, now comprise the Vashon Troll Steering Committee.

“Like many on Vashon, I have a passion for raising awareness around sustainability and environmental conciseness,” said Lubbert. “This project offered an engaging way to have Vashon join a global effort to do that. Besides, Vashon is a great place for a troll,” she added — saying the sculpture will be in keeping with the island’s “Keep Vashon Weird” ethos.

A key part of the troll installation is building a community of local volunteers. For the regional project, over 200 volunteers will volunteer time to help complete the sculptures, from disassembling wooden pallets, cutting up wood pieces, screwing and hammering parts, to clearing brush.

Islanders who are interested in volunteering to build the Vashon troll, during the first two weeks of September, are encouraged to email VashonTroll@gmail.com. Other opportunities for volunteering include administrative and marketing assistance.

The initial seed funding for the project was donated by Scan Design Foundation, in partnership with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The Vashon Troll project has secured additional funding from private individuals and is currently fundraising for the remaining $20,000.

To donate or ask questions about the project, email VashonTroll@gmail.com. Find out more about “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” at nwtrolls.com.