Yoga, Nature and Community at Ananda Farm

Yoga, Nature and Community at Ananda Farm

Ananda* Farm is a 14-acre, community-owned yoga and permaculture farm on the south end of Camano Island. Their mission is to live simply and harmoniously with nature, and to provide basic needs for themselves and a growing community of friends. Yoga and meditation are the foundation of life at the farm. Ananda Farm represents a positive change for the Camano-Stanwood community, and reflects the diversity of clients the conservation district now serves. 

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Just Released: A Great New Series of Videos for our Sound Horsekeepers

Just Released: A Great New Series of Videos for our Sound Horsekeepers

We partnered with Alayne Blickle, from Horses for Clean Water, to create this informative series of short videos on a range of essential horsekeeping topics. The best news? Each of the 9 videos is under 2 minutes long!

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The Grass is Growing: T-Sum 200 has been reached

The Grass is Growing: T-Sum 200 has been reached

Soil temperature mirrors air temperature. So instead of putting a thermometer in the ground, you can use a formula called “T-Sum 200” to track soil temperatures indirectly and determine when grass will begin to grow.

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2015 Annual Report

2015 Annual Report

2015 was another exciting and productive year here at the Snohomish Conservation District. We have enjoyed our opportunity to engage with such a diverse and committed set of landowners and partners. The accomplishments for 2015 are based upon and driven by the willingness of private landowners and managers to actively manage the natural resources they control. Additionally, the accomplishments for 2015 are significantly impacted via project collaborations with partners. We sincerely thank everyone that has made a positive contribution and impact on natural resource management this past year. 

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Fall is a Great Time to Lime

Fall is a Great Time to Lime

From pasture to potatoes, and pumpkins to hay, lime is more often than not a key component in creating the ideal soil for our current agricultural activities. Without the addition of lime, native soils are usually too acidic for many of the crops we want to grow. 

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Helping our Neighbors: Okanogan Fire Needs

Helping our Neighbors: Okanogan Fire Needs

If you want to help those affected by the Okanogan Complex fire, firefighters and/or locals, here is information on what is needed and who to contact, from Craig Nelson of the Okanogan Conservation District. Please share this so that we can help our neighbors to the east as much as possible!

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"Your Groundwater and Camano Island Aquifers" a very timely event!

"Your Groundwater and Camano Island Aquifers" a very timely event!

The heat and drought made July 29th's "Your Groundwater and Camano Island Aquifers" a very timely event! Over 160 Camano Islanders attended the workshop that featured a detailed presentation by Island County Hydrogeologist Doug Kelly about Island County's aquifers, seawater intrusion, and the abundance of data maintained on the islands' water wells. 

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WCC Recruiting for Upcoming Crew Year

WCC Crew Openings

Description: The Snohomish Conservation District crew is based at the county's native plant nursery in Lake Stevens. The crew works on a wide variety of projects including riparian habitat restoration, volunteer supervision, construction projects (fish passage/large wood), fencing projects, outreach workshops/fairs, one or more rain garden/LID project, one NGPA project, one or more agricultural and forestry BMP construction and NRCS practice specification training. Members will complete one-on-one shadowing days with Farm Planners, Engineers, Water Quality, LID and Habitat Restoration Specialists to gain skills and experience in site assessment and design, engineering surveys, landowner education, construction supervision, GIS.

Projected Start Date: October 5

Goodbye Lawn, Hello Lettuce!

Goodbye Lawn, Hello Lettuce!

The Snohomish Conservation District is proud to announce the launch of our new Lawns to Lettuce Program!  The goals of this latest effort are to encourage landowners to convert a portion of their lawn to growing edibles, and to highlight landowners who’ve already done so. 

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First Camano Island Sound Horsekeeper

First Camano Island Sound Horsekeeper

Congratulations to Liz Abelsen, the first person on Camano Island, for receiving our Sound Horsekeeping sign.  This well-deserved honor demonstrates all of the amazing Best Management Practices that Liz has in place on her property to protect water quality, build healthy soils, and create a healthy and happy environment for her mini-horses, chickens, gardens, and abundant wildlife that call this Camano oasis home. 

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Thanks for joining us at the Better Ground Showcase

Panoramic photo of Better Ground Showcase venue with attendees. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Mukilteo on April 1st for our Better Ground Showcase. We enjoyed meeting new people and reconnecting with our friends and partners.

From the talented group of young musicians who helped create the festive atmosphere at the beginning to the dedicated award winners who were honored for their incredible work, it was great to see so many wonderful examples of people celebrating local efforts to plant trees, produce healthy food, protect habitat and keep water clean and healthy for fish.

Everyone seemed to enjoy seeing so many young people being honored, from the environmental youth leaders to an innovative young farmer, we all felt hope for the future. Honoring lifelong environmental leaders like Barbara Brock beside students who are growing food, enhancing habitat and teaching their peers was especially enlightening. We look forward to another great year of working with our partners, residents, schools, and others to create better ground for all. If you would like to view the video about this year’s winners, go to this link: https://youtu.be/ASIOe77E9eY.

2015 Plant 'Sale-abration' a Hit

We hoped you enjoyed our 30th annual Plant 'Sale-abration' as much as we did.

About 40,660 native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants went home with eager folks, and our classes were a popular new addition.

Photo of Board Chair, Mark Craven, and a plant sale customer
Photo of herbal class participants at the 2015 Plant Sale-abration