Ralph Svrjcek | People, Together
/What's your connection to the land?
When I see land, I see the animals, people, and history behind it. If it's near water I think about how all these things are connected to the fish and other creatures that depend on respect and care for the land as well. I had my first vegetable garden before 1st grade and eventually ended up in college studying plants.
What actions have you taken as a steward that you're most proud of and/or that you feel have made the biggest difference?
Many of us spend years trying to figure out where we fit in, whether it is developing a network of friends, building a family, or building a career. Looking back, the thing I am most proud of is being able to help others reach their goals. Sometimes I am a teacher, sometimes a learner, sometimes a cheerleader. The work I am most proud of is working with the many public servants in Snohomish, King, and Island Counties who are responsible for working directly with landowners to help them care for the land and water.
What’s your hope for the next 75 years?And/or what advice do you have for those next 75 years?
My hope for the next 75 years is for folks to focus on making our communities strong and healthy. Everyone is so busy just making ends meet that sometimes we aren't reaching out to others often enough. If we can get better at that, then we solve problems as a team in ways we haven't even thought of yet. Between global competition, climate change, raising the next generation, and other great challenges, we have our work cut out for us. Obviously protecting and restoring the environment has to be one of our highest priorities. But finding ways to appreciate and respect each other will be the cornerstone of how we meet that and other challenges.
Who are you?
- Name: Ralph Svrjcek
- Where is home? Fall City, Washington
- Where are you from? The Land of Pleasant Living (Chesapeake Bay)
