Puget Sound Starts at My School

Puget Sound Starts at My School

Several schools recently finished up their participation in a National Fish and Wildlife funded grant, Puget Sound Starts at My School. This program involved 658 students in the planning, design, and installation of stormwater projects on school campuses. In total, the projects completed through this grant will divert and filter an estimated 435,769 gallons of stormwater every year!

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A Look Back at Our Season of Spreading . . . Manure

Manure & Lime Spreader Program Ending for 2017

Sound Horsekeepers, Adam and Tracey

Sound Horsekeepers, Adam and Tracey

The spreaders are out at the last cooperators' property and will be picked up Friday and put away for the season. We will not be taking reservations until April 2 for next spring, so mark it on your calendars. There will be some changes coming to the program that Michael Hipp, our Resource Planner / Sound Horsekeeping Program Manager, will be working on over the winter, They are changes related to efficiency so that we can better serve you all. He will let you know what those are as they become official.

THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the spreader program this year! 2017 was the busiest and most successful yet.

 

  • 34 Cooperators (aka landowners / farmers / horsekeepers) used the spreaders; some, multiple times.

  • 3,020 miles driven to deliver the spreaders - that's the distance from Seattle to San Salvador, El Salvador!

  • Only 1 flat tire on the trailer (thanks to Skagit Farmer's Supply for the assist!)

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And there is no way to measure the tens of thousands of pounds of manure and lime spread this year, but it is great to know that all those nutrients are out building good soil. Thank you to our cooperators for not only having Michael out to your property to discuss soil health and good pasture management practices, but also for following through and getting your pastures one step healthier for your horses.

Please remember that if you encounter any new resource concerns over the winter Michael is always here to help. Winter in western Washington is always a challenge with horses, so please don't ever hesitate to contact him any time.

Office: (425) 377-7019 | Email: mhipp@snohomishcd.org

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Fall Task List for All Types of Properties

Fall Task List for All Types of Properties

The shorter days of autumn inspire us to slow down after a busy summer, but accomplishing a few tasks before the rains set in and the winds start to blow will make winter more pleasant and surprise you with a healthy land and soil-scape next spring.

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Local Businesses Beautify and Restore Stormwater Ponds

Local Businesses Beautify and Restore Stormwater Ponds

The Snohomish Conservation District gathered dozens of local volunteers last Thursday behind the Stanwood Camano Village to help restore a bare and degraded landscape right in their own backyard. Volunteers included employees from local businesses, including the YMCA, the Everett Clinic, Port Susan Dental Care, Subway, and Process Solutions.

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Photovoice for Agricultural Resilience: Farmers educate decision-makers through photos.

Photovoice for Agricultural Resilience: Farmers educate decision-makers through photos.

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.

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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."

Now hiring for our Veteran Conservation Corps Crew Internship

Now hiring for our Veteran Conservation Corps Crew Internship

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. 

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Is Your Home Firewise?

Is Your Home Firewise?

As Westsiders here in Washington, it’s difficult to imagine the threat of a wildfire as we tromp through the rain and mud for close to eight months of the year. But due to our beautiful dry summers, the landscape can dry out quickly, presenting a window of time where a grass or forest fire can pose a serious threat to property and lives.

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Farmers Needed to Share Thoughts on Agriculture in Snohomish County

Farmers Needed to Share Thoughts on Agriculture in Snohomish County

What are your thoughts on how agriculture in Snohomish County can be resilient to future changes? The Conservation District is sponsoring a project called Photovoice where farmers will explore topics such as:

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Our One-Day Rain Barrel Sale Returns!

Our One-Day Rain Barrel Sale Returns!

We’re filling our office to the brim with rain barrels and keeping our doors open late for this special one-day only pick-up event, just in time for summer watering. You will get a pre-assembled 55-gallon barrel with sturdy components (spigot, overflow spout, mesh over inlet).

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Creating Bee Habitat in Four Easy Steps

Creating Bee Habitat in Four Easy Steps

Like all new endeavors, creating habitat for local pollinators can seem a little daunting at first glance. If you take it step by step however, it can be simple, interesting, and rewarding for you and your plants.

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Conservation Commission Tours Snohomish County

Conservation Commission Tours Snohomish County

Snohomish Conservation District hosted members of the Washington State Conservation Commission and other partners and elected officials on a tour of the area on Wednesday, January 18th. The tour is part of a two-day work session that the Commission holds quarterly for its ten-member board and commission staff around the state. 

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Position Now Closed: Resource Planner I (Farm Planner) Position

Position Now Closed: Resource Planner I (Farm Planner) Position

Snohomish Conservation District has an opening for a Resource Planner I position. The Resource Planner I is focused on providing technical assistance and education to equine and small farm landowners in Snohomish County and Camano Island.

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New Rain Barrel Winners

A lucky Camano Island family won a painted rain barrel as part of a water-conserving technology lesson and Earth Day celebration for the students of Utsalady Elementary. This barrel doesn't have a design but is painted a neutral color. Would you like to paint your rain barrel? Instructions on painting your barrel, installing it, and caring for it over the seasons are found ove here >> [http://snohomishcd.org/rb-care].