The volunteers that came to help plant the garden beds this month represent the area’s largest minority community, Riley said. The district staff worked with the Monroe Public Library, the Edmonds Community College Latino Education Training Institute and other organizations for outreach, she said.

Monroe has one of the highest populations of people who are Latino and Hispanic in Snohomish County, Riley said.

Ten percent of Snohomish County’s population is Hispanic or Latino, according to the most recent census data. That number is closer to 20 percent for Monroe, according to the City of Monroe.

“It takes all of us to do something on our own property, and that is what the chamber wanted to exemplify,” Riley said.

Update to Everett Herald article about our Vet Crew plus the recognition of Washington Department of Veterans Affairs as Conservation Partner of the Year.