Sound Farm: Michelle Canfield

Our Sound Farm award goes to Michelle Canfield of Canfield Farms. By relocating her sheep housing and feeding area out of the floodway and installing a waste storage structure, heavy use area, and roof runoff system, Michelle has helped protect water quality and provide her animals with a safe, dry place to bed down. As a French Creek Drainage District commissioner she pursues partnerships to improve habitat in the watershed and shares her knowledge through workshops and presentations. Michelle’s efforts exemplify a deep commitment to a healthy floodplain and a sustainable future for agriculture.

Sound Educator: Rinku Singh

We are proud to present our Sound Educator Award to Rinku Singh from Mukilteo Elementary School. Rinku has been a passionate partner in environmental education, collaborating with us for over six years and facilitating lessons that inspire his own students and other classes throughout the school. Rinku brings care and commitment to his teaching, always striving to help his students learn, grow, and succeed. His advocacy for science education has made him an invaluable partner in bringing hands-on learning to the classroom and deepening students’ understanding of the natural world.

Sound Partner: Brett Shattuck

We are proud to present our Sound Partner Award to Brett Shattuck and the Tulalip Tribes for their exceptional leadership in salmon recovery, watershed restoration, and farm/fish/flood initiatives. Brett and the Tulalip Tribes have been essential partners in large-scale efforts to restore floodplains, remove fish passage barriers, and protect critical riparian areas. They are leaders in working to find compromise and win-win solutions for salmon recovery and agriculture; their work in the Tualco Valley Connectivity Project demonstrates their commitment to supporting a vibrant agricultural community, reducing flood hazards for communities, and restoring watersheds to support thriving salmon populations for Tribes and the broader community. Their collaboration on the Snohomish and Stillaguamish Cooperative Fish Passage Barrier Initiative has been especially impactful in advancing collaborative, strategic fish passage barrier removals in Snohomish County. We extend our sincere gratitude to Brett and the Tulalip Tribes for their unwavering commitment and invaluable partnership.

Wildfire Resilient Community: Glacier Peak Institute

SCD Community Conservation Department Manager penny crispin (left) stands with Glacier Peak Institute Interim Executive Director Scott Rossiter

Our Fire Resilient Community award goes to Glacier Peak Institute for their outstanding leadership in wildfire safety and forest health.

Through youth education, brush control, community wood chipping, and habitat enhancement, they are actively reducing wildfire risk, improving air quality, and fostering long-term stewardship. Their workforce development programs provide meaningful opportunities for under- and unemployed community members, building local capacity and deepening connections to the land. Glacier Peak Institute is creating more prepared communities while equipping the next generation to safeguard their forests and their future.

Sound Green Solutions: Clearwater School

SCD Community Conservation Department Manager Penny Crispin (middle) stands with Stephanie Sarantos (right) and members of Clearwater School.

Our Sound Green Solutions award goes to Clearwater School. As a new partner, Clearwater has enthusiastically collaborated with our Habitat, Agriculture, and Community Conservation teams to steward their unique urban campus which includes a creek and a small, forested area. They are actively managing invasive species, restoring habitat, and planning a school garden in partnership with their students. By thoughtfully using the natural resources on their campus for both educational and community benefit, Clearwater is creating a living example of how schools can lead meaningful change.

Sound Forest: Jared Busen and Shira McDonald

Left to right: SCD Forester Nolan Kitts (left) stands with Shira McDonald and Jared Busen

We are honored to present the Sound Forest Award to Jared Busen and Shira McDonald for their commitment to sustainable forest stewardship and education. Jared and Shira have gone above and beyond on their property with native species planting, invasive species management, riparian restoration, and forest farming. They generously hosted a biochar demonstration and welcomed our crew for hands-on precommercial thinning training. Their on-the-ground efforts and eagerness to share knowledge makes them true leaders among small forest landowners.

Sound Habitat: Brennan Collins

SCD Natural Resource Director Kristin Marshall (left) & City of Snohomish Project Manager Brennan Collins

We are proud to recognize Brennan Collins of the City of Snohomish with the Sound Habitat Award for his outstanding partnership and dedication to the Pilchuck Julia Park Riparian Restoration and Agroforestry Project. Brennan’s collaborative spirit has been key to the project’s success—supporting habitat restoration, noxious weed management, and the creation of a thriving food forest. He has also organized numerous volunteer events, ensuring consistent site care and strong community involvement. His leadership and cooperative approach have made a lasting impact, helping transform the site into vital riparian habitat and a hub for environmental education, public recreation, and community engagement.

Sound Partner: Jessica Hamill

Jessica builds, leads, and hold partners together and accountable for their part in a bigger collaborative partnership in the County.
— Summer Daugherty, Engineering and Agriculture

Jessica Hamill is Snohomish County’s Community Floodplain Solutions program manager. Jessica has been a vocal advocate and supporter of the three Fs: Farm, Fish, Flood and actively advocates for each, recognizing their interconnected success. We are pleased to recognize her for the critical role she has played in building and leading collaborative partnerships, identifying and implementing project opportunities, and for her creative, solution-based mindset.

Sound Educator: Scott Chase

Scott is an immensely self-sacrificing individual who is so committed to protecting the human and natural communities of the island.
— Alana Springer, Environmental Education Program Manager

Scott has partnered with the District on a multitude of volunteer and educational events on Camano Island, but we want to specifically recognize him for his support with planning, coordinating, and launching our Conservation Station at Cama Beach State Park. Scott played an instrumental role in cultivating a relationship between Snohomish Conservation District and Washington State Parks to make this program possible. He also helped our educators devise innovative ways to reach park visitors and ensured they were safe, supported, and well resourced. We are grateful for his work on this project and his ongoing efforts to protect both the human and natural world on Camano Island.

Sound Volunteer: Sally Jo Sebring

Sally Jo is a reliable and energetic advocate in Snohomish County.
— Sara Rocero, Habitat Restoration Project Manager

Sally Jo Sebring who brought an abundance of positivity and knowledge to our plant sale this year. She also gave the highest number of hours, volunteering over 20 hours the week of our plant sale!

Sally Jo is passionate about riparian restoration, wildlife habitat, and native plants and has attended almost every workshop we’ve held on these subjects. She engages with the District Habitat team about controlling noxious weeds, and overall improving her property for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.

She doesn’t just talk the talk— she’s also putting her knowledge to work and doing her own riparian restoration along the stream on her own property.

Sound Farm (Commercial): Peoples Creek Dairy

This farm is a wonderful example of what successful succession planning could look like.
— Bobbi Lindemulder, former SCD Agriculture Program Director

People’s Creek Dairy in Monroe has been an incredible partner and recently participated in our cost-share program to implement a new manure handling system that will help protect water quality and maximize efficient manure management. People’s Creek Dairy has an existing CREP buffer and is actively working with local tribes on fish habitat improvements. Through this award we’d like to recognize People’s Creek Dairy for their ongoing collaborative efforts with our farm planning staff and the technological advancements they've made in order to protect water quality and to succeed in one of the toughest industries around.

Sound Farm (small): Food Bank Farm

Jim (left) pictured recieving the award with members of Food Bank Farm

Jim Eichner is a reliable, thoughtful, and dedicated community members and District partner.
— Alana Springer, Environmental Education Program Manager

Jim uses conservation minded practices to grow copious amounts of vegetable starts on his farm. He reduces the environmental impact of his farm by utilizing secondhand resources (used pots, etc) and sowing plants with old seeds discarded by stores and other organizations.

Jim is incredibly community minded. He grows vegetable starts for many community organizations, including food banks, conservation districts, and non-profits. He is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and improving food resilience through his work.

He has also consulted on the construction of the Districts very own greenhouse!

Sound Green Solutions: Patrick Johnson

Pat (left) with SCD Community Conservation Department manager Penny Crispin

Pat is steward of the city, and a strong voice advocating for more green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). He is a kind person and a strong supporter of his hometown.
— Penny Crispin, Community Conservation Department Manager

Pat is a major proponent for green stormwater infrastructure in Edmonds, working with SCD to build rain gardens and bioswales. He's very supportive in providing city personnel to support the District’s projects.

Pat also connected the District with other partners to increase rain barrel access within the community. In addition, Pat also is the city representative on the Lake Ballinger Forum and helps monitor the lake level.

Sound Forest: Todd Simonson

Todd shows a lot of great dedication to his property and improving his habitat.
— Stacey Dixon, Forest Program Manager

Todd wrote his own forest management plan and has demonstrated exceptional dedication to his forested property on Camano Island by improving wildlife habitat, thinning for forest health, and planting for biodiversity. Todd has also been a wonderful advocate for Snohomish Conservation District’s forestry services and has helped spread the word throughout his community, encouraging others to reach out for technical assistance and holding a public tour on his property, giving others the opportunity to learn about actions they can take for forest health.

Sound Habitat: Monica Van der Vieren

Monica pictured with SCD Engineering and Agriculture Department Manager Summer Daugherty

Monica is an inspiration and has an infectious connection to the natural world around her. Working with Monica gives me the energy to continue to do the work I do. She has truly been a collaborator that has given me more than I have been able to afford her.
— Carrie Brausieck

Monica is a leader in her community and has been a key advocate in advancing the Agriculture Resilience work for Swan's Trail Slough. She is an amazing story teller, has a knowledge of native plants, birds, and insects that is enviable and is able to communicate that knowledge to others in inspiring ways. She is an amazing photographer and has created some wonderful storyboards.

Monica has collaborated with our district in numerous ways— leading tours on her property, volunteering her time to present on topics for Brightwater's Sustainable Yard Care series. Additionally, Monica has freely opened up her property to our habitat team to come out and take cuttings of many native species for restoration in other areas of the county. She donates willow, cottonwood, ninebark, and many other species.

Lifetime Achievement: Bobbi Lindemulder

SCD has provided me a place to build my roots....to continue my career, to develop a program, to seek out and help those who didn’t know where to turn.
— Bobbie Lindemulder

Bobbi joined the Snohomish Conservation District Agriculture team in 1997 as a farm planner. Through her dedication and expertise, she earned promotion to leadership positions. Bobbi served as a lead farm planner, an interim District Manager, a Program Manager, and finally the Agriculture Department Director. Bobbi worked to increase agriculture viability and resilience throughout Snohomish County and Camano Island and provided one-on-one technical assistance to farmers to help address natural resource needs. Bobbi also provided technical resource planning training state-wide and provided valuable input on regional planning efforts. For her tireless work at the District and the many efforts supporting local farmers and residents, Bobbi received the Lifetime Achievement award.

Bobbi pictured with SCD Board chair Mark Craven (left) and Executive Director Linda Lyshall (right)

Hungry Hearts

Many aspects make Hungry Hearts an organization to support, as well as their robust support of the Conservation District. They help recruit volunteers and advertise our events through their social media, with their ability to post in the school district’s events calendar. With that, they provide volunteers for gleaning events, even storing and giving produce to folks directly.
— Joe Crumbley, SCD Urban Ag Coordinator
Potato harvesting at holy cross church in lake stevens

Potato harvesting at holy cross church in lake stevens

Hungry Hearts is a non-profit organization that supports our program Project Harvest. They assist about 250 children each week with their backpack program (providing food). They provide students with spring and winter break lunch, who otherwise might not get enough food while being at home. With a strong 40-50 legion of volunteers they provide amazing services to the community.


Nomination Highlight Video

Learn more about Hungry Hearts via their website -

https://www.hungryheartsfoundation.com/

Fred Collins

Fred Collins is a kind and engaging teacher from Discovery Elementary who also runs their garden club program.
— Lily Cason, Youth Education Coordinator
Colton Martin at the State Capitol

Colton Martin at the State Capitol

Our VCC adding rain cisterns to their garden in 2019, which helps them easily water the garden beds at the school. Fred is very hands-on with the garden program, and we’re grateful for his dedication to teaching and tending the earth.


Nomination Highlight Video



Glenwood Elementary Students

These four amazing Glenwood students absolutely blew me away with their courage, their compassion, and their advocacy. They came to the Legislature to use their voices and speak up for our planet, not only for the benefit of our community today – but for the benefit of our community’s future. I couldn’t be more proud and inspired by these young changemakers, and I can’t wait to watch them continue to make this world a better place.
— State Senator Mona Das, 47th Legislative District
Colton Martin at the State Capitol

Colton Martin at the State Capitol

Nominated by their teacher, Andrew Fritz, Glenwood Elementary School in the Lake Stevens School District for their testimony to the State Legislature about styrofoam and its impact on water quality and wildlife.

Kylee Reynolds - 5th Grade - 11 years of age

Madison Descrescenzo - 5th Grade - 11 years of age

Colton Martin - 6th Grade - 12 years of age (former student of Andrew Fritz)

Riley Gibson - 6th Grade - 12 years of age (former student of Andrew Fritz)

His former students testified at the Washington State House Committee in support of banning restaurant styrofoam containers. Senator Das specifically asked for them to testify from last year's paper's they wrote.


Nomination Highlight Video

Watch the students testimony via Senator Das’ Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SenatorMonaDas/videos/579718102882873/



Students Saving Salmon

This club, which started 5 years ago, has a goal to restore salmon in local creeks and improve the environment. Students Saving Salmon objectives are to collect and disseminate scientific information on Edmonds watersheds and local salmon populations; conduct community outreach; improve streamside habitat; and enhance salmon populations. Student efforts in environmental conservation are well known and appreciated in Edmonds.
— Joe Scordino
StudentsSavingSalmon.png

The Students Saving Salmon has grown from a handful of students in 2015 to over 70 students that currently engage in local conservation activities. Students have voluntarily collected monthly water quality measurements (e.g., dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrates, turbidity) and habitat observations in local creeks and the Edmonds Marsh for almost five years.

This data has been used by students to report on watershed conditions to the Edmonds City Council each year along with recommendations on aspects needing local government attention. In some instances, students have used their observations to develop and implement plans for action to fix habitat problems.

For example, over several years students documented conditions at a partially blocked culvert that was affecting salmon passage. Lacking governmental action to resolve the problem, in the summer of 2018, Students Saving Salmon obtained WDFW and local authorizations to work with the property owner to amass a successful volunteer effort to clear the culvert of willow tree roots that had grown into and were blocking flow in the culvert. In the fall of 2018, upstream property owners (above the culvert) cheerfully reported they were again seeing coho salmon in the creek.

Students have also worked with private property owners to restore streamside habitat and have planted over 650 native plants along Shell Creek since 2017. Noting that salmon numbers were declining in the creeks, students began efforts to enhance the salmon runs in 2017. This began with getting WDFW authorization to place juvenile coho in upper areas of the creek that were blocked to adult passage and has expanded to students getting WDFW authorization to use instream salmon egg incubators to increase salmon numbers and utilize stream habitat that is otherwise inaccessible to adult salmon. These incubators were successfully used last winter (2018/19) with 89% hatching survival (which is better than wild egg survival).

Last winter (2019/2020), students installed instream incubators in Shell, Willow and Lunds Gulch Creeks with 5,000 coho salmon eggs and 4,000 chum salmon eggs and are hoping for even better survival through location improvements based on past years observations. In addition, Students Saving Salmon has conducted outreach on salmon and the environment at numerous community events and clubs (such as fishing groups, Rotary, and other community groups).


Nomination Highlight Video