Highlights from Silvana Fair
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Cam and Lois chatted with folks about our services and how they can take advantage of some of our programs, especially those geared for farms and rural properties.
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You Can Learn a Lot on Your Commute Home
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If you live in Monroe, and commute to I-5 and places beyond, you may see an Arco station along your route on the north side of Highway 2. Next to that Arco station are 8 acres of wetlands that the Snohomish Conservation District is helping to restore through a Department of Ecology grant. It is a unique opportunity to be so close to a major roadway making it highly visible. The hope is that this project site will promote public education, a sense of stewardship and a personal connection to the watershed.
Read MoreMake Every Water Drop Count
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Water deeply but less often encourages deep roots and prevents diseases. Moistening the soil a little deeper than the roots grow draws them deeper—which is particularly important in the first 1 to 2 years after planting. Let the top few inches of soil dry before watering again so roots and soil life can breathe.
Read MoreStanwood Dairy Hosts Governor Inslee in Partnership Meeting
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“This was a great opportunity to demonstrate the value of public-private partnerships, multi-benefit projects, and locally led actions,” said District Manager of the Snohomish Conservation District Monte Marti. “It highlights the commitment to and importance of voluntary stewardship efforts by private landowners.”
Read MoreVet Crew Sighting in Monroe
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Recently, our crew was out in Monroe mowing and cutting back the Reed Canarygrass, which is a non-native invasive freshwater plant.
Read MorePhotovoice for Agricultural Resilience: Farmers educate decision-makers through photos.
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Seven farms took part in the Photovoice Project hosted by the Snohomish Conservation District and The Nature Conservancy. Through a series of four workshops, participants responded to two questions - "Why is agriculture important to our community?" and "What are the major challenges facing agriculture?" - through photos and discussion.
Read MoreOur Neighborhood Approach
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Our neighborhoods are perfect petri dishes for change - new homebuyers are continually moving in, many of our older homes are in need of upgrades, and as curious humans we love to see ‘what the neighbors are doing’.
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Questions Answered at Public Meeting for Culvert Replacement Project
/Camano Island residents gathered on June 22nd to learn about Snohomish Conservation District's work with Island County to replace the Kristoferson Creek culverts at Barnum and Russell Roads. The new crossings are designed to allow passage at all times of the year between Triangle Cove and Kristoferson Creek for the different salmonid species, including endangered Chinook salmon and steelhead.
Island County, Snohomish Conservation District, and local residents and salmon recovery citizen volunteers have known about and tried to replace these two fish passage barriers for over 14 years, but funding, differing approaches, and salmon recovery priorities never aligned before now. In the meantime, however, the Kristoferson family and others have worked to improve the habitat conditions and water quality of Kristoferson Creek.
Construction may begin late this summer if permits are approved and suitable construction bids are received. If not, construction will occur in the summer of 2018. One culvert will be constructed at a time to provide for continual, easy access in and out of the neighborhood, and construction activities are expected to last between four and six weeks. No changes in road design are planned. Once completed, endangered juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead will be able to fully access lower Kristoferson Creek for rearing. Coho and chum salmon will have improved passage to about 1.6 miles of Kristoferson Creek for spawning and rearing.
Questions? Please contact Kristin Marshall, Snohomish Conservation District project manager, at 425-377-7017 or kristin@snohomishcd.org. Comments may also be submitted online at snocd.org/kristoferson_comments. Interested parties may receive emailed construction updates by signing up at snocd.org/kristoferson-creek."
The Biggest Rain Garden We’ve Ever Built!
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“The site has historically had issues with stormwater due to the abundance of Pacific Northwest rain. This is a great multi-benefit project. It helps Qualco remain at the cutting edge of lessening their environmental impacts and reduces their runoff to neighboring waterways. It helps provides clean water for fish, shellfish and other aquatic life.” - Brett de Vries, Farm Planner
Read MoreHorses for Rain Gardens in Puget Sound
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Rain gardens are a bright new idea for dealing with two frequent issues for horse properties: excess runoff and MUD!
Read MoreHorses for Native Plants
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More and more frequently now people are recognizing that people, wildlife and the environment all benefit from a landscape of native plants. To promote the use of native plants, Conservation Districts in Washington State hold native plant sales every winter.
Read MoreGo Native with Hedgerows and Buffers on Horse Properties
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Many horse owners don’t realize how helpful native trees and shrubs can be on a horse property. People, wildlife (including our valuable native pollinator insects), horses, and the environment can all benefit from a landscape of native plants.
Read MoreManure Spreading Season
/One of the many services offered by the Snohomish Conservation District, specifically for horse owners, is manure spreading. Michael Hipp, our Resource Planner, runs this program and has many insights into why this service is important for Sound Horsekeeping.
The goal of spreading manure is to keep a clean stable for your horses and also take advantage of the nutrients found in manure. As you sweep up the area where your horse meanders, you can set the manure aside for moving around your property as convenient. It also helps to mitigate the land use and helps horses maintain a sense of safety and security. No one wants to stand in their manure very long.
The Snohomish Conservation District has two manure spreaders, one large (photos below are of the large one) and one small. They are available on a seasonal basis from approximately April to October, after the rains have ended. (We'll see!) Each time the spreader goes out, Michael delivers it to the horse owner and explains how it is used. The time allowed is three days so pick up and drop off days are Tuesdays and Fridays.
For example, you might receive the spreader on Tuesday morning and Michael will pick it up on Friday morning so he can deliver it to someone else.
Keep your horses upright and happy by scheduling to use one of our spreaders today. As Michael said, "It's one of the most beneficial services we have for horse owners. It's a great benefit."
Contact Michael at 425-377-7019 or mhipp(at)snohomishcd.org to schedule your spreader today. Read more here about when it is best to spread manure.
Snohomish County Council Member Tour with Monte Marti from Snohomish Conservation District
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On Monday May 15th, the Snohomish Conservation District (SCD) invited out Council Members Brian Sullivan and Stephanie Wright, to join District Manager, Monte Marti, on a tour around south Snohomish County to view completed stormwater treatment projects within their districts (2 and 3).
The tour consisted of a rain garden on an right of way and a property owner’s house in Edmonds, the Mukilteo Library, Mukilteo Elementary School to view their outdoor classroom, and condominiums along 112th St. SE in Everett.
Read MoreLynnwood's Tree Voucher Program
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To learn more or sign up for this opportunity, contact Derek Fada, City of Lynnwood, 425.670.5242.
Read MorePilot Project for Perrinville
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The City of Lynnwood is partnering with Snohomish Conservation District, Edmonds Community College, and WSU Extension-Snohomish County to fund a limited number of rain gardens and rain catchment systems for homeowners. These can be beautiful improvements to your landscape, and help save our urban streams at the same time
Read MoreLast Day Planting for Our WCC Crew
/The WCC crew wrapped up their planting season on April 27th! A total of 23,976 plants were installed on 24 acres! The plantings occurred on 14 properties from November to April.
Now hiring for our Veteran Conservation Corps Crew Internship
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The Snohomish Conservation District and the Veterans Conservation Corps are excited to announce several internship opportunities for United States military veterans. This position will work with landowners on stormwater resource concerns within urban and residential areas of Snohomish County and Camano Island, and occasionally in other parts of the Puget Sound region.
Read MoreAnother Lake-Friendly Certification!
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Dick Todd was recently Certifed as a Lake Steven's Lake-Friendly property. He maintains native and climate appropriate vegetation on his property and never uses lawn chemicals.
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