Green Solutions for Cleaner Water

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Green Solutions for Cleaner Water

It’s no surprise that we get a lot of rain—the Pacific Northwest is a temperate rainforest, after all. How we manage that rain once it hits the ground is important, especially in our region, where we’re experiencing rapid growth. In many places, the pervious soil of forests, farms, and undeveloped land is being replaced with impervious surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots, which can lead to increased flooding and water pollution.

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Urban Tree Canopy for Stormwater Management

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Urban Tree Canopy for Stormwater Management

Studies have proven what many of us have suspected for a long time: planting trees in urban areas measurably improves quality of life and overall health of the residents living in those spaces. However, these trees have another secret benefit. Urban trees can also play a vital role in addressing stormwater problems.

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Sweet Secrets of Bigleaf Maple

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Sweet Secrets of Bigleaf Maple

When you think of our native bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), you might picture a mossy trunk with delicate licorice ferns. You probably don’t think of maple syrup. Particularly, one with a “bold and buttery flavor that has hints of vanilla and molasses.”

But that's how Patrick Shults, Extension Forester for Southwest Washington—along with many others—describe the taste of this specialty syrup.

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Farm & Forest: Growing Agroforestry in Puget Sound

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Farm & Forest: Growing Agroforestry in Puget Sound

Our resident agroforester Carrie Brausieck has been researching, implementing, and educating on agroforestry in the region for over half a decade, but it’s only been the past two years that agroforestry has become widely noticed.

“We’re the only organization in the state that has an agroforestry program and a person on staff with an agroforestry title,” Carrie said. “Our program is leading the way for this innovative land use within our county and throughout the state.” Read on to learn about the work we've been doing in agroforestry.

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First Bud to Full Bloom: A Local Flower Farm's Success Story

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First Bud to Full Bloom: A Local Flower Farm's Success Story

Many new farmers start with a dream and a willingness to work hard. However, transforming those dreams into a successful reality is often the challenge. Kari Parks is now the proud owner of Flourish Organic Farms, but like many of her fellow farmers, figuring out how to build a profitable, sustainable business has been a journey.

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Regional Foresters Surpass Goals of Pilot Program

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Regional Foresters Surpass Goals of Pilot Program

We’re called the Evergreen State for a reason— more than half of Washington is forested. Small forest landowners can play a vital role as stewards of this critical resource and they now have access to education and technical assistance from professional foresters, thanks to the Regional Forestry Pilot Program.

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Native Plants for a Healthy Forest

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Native Plants for a Healthy Forest

How do you manage your forest for both economic and ecological benefits? Snohomish Conservation District partnered with the Northwest Natural Resource Group to provide a comprehensive and hands-on day of learning about ecological forestry, a holistic system of forest management that encompasses the health of not just the trees, but the health and biodiversity of all aspects of the forest.

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Winter Garden Tips for Beneficial Wildlife

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Winter Garden Tips for Beneficial Wildlife

Winter can be a great time to set ourselves up for success by thinking about our behind-the-scenes helpers—the beneficial birds and insects that make our garden healthier and more productive. The best part is that most of the things these “helpers” need means less work for you now, not just during the growing season.

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Carbon Crushers Series Wraps Up

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During the first winter of the pandemic, our Agriculture Resilience Team brainstormed ways to engage the public when we were unable to physically gather. The result was a Carbon Crushers series of workshops focused on ways to reach “drawdown”—the point when levels of greenhouse gases stop climbing and start to actually decline

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