Climate Change

In December 2024, Snohomish Conservation District partnered with Puget Sound Conservation Districts, Department of Ecology, Conservation Commission, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation to host a workshop focused on restoration practices that encourage a more resilient ecosystem in the face of a changing climate.

One of the many benefits of agroforestry—the integration of perennial trees and shrubs into agricultural systems—is its potential to mitigate climate change and increase resilience. Here are a few examples of how…

Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where rows of trees are planted wide enough to create alleys where other crops can be cultivated.

Agroforestry can provide major benefits for farms—it also presents unique challenges. Unlike traditional monocultures, agroforestry requires farmers to understand the needs of multiple plants and how they interact with each other. It takes planning, adaptation, and patience to create a successful system. It also isn’t static. Many agroforestry practices incorporate trees that affect shade conditions as they grow. That means crops may need to shift over the years.

So why bother with all the trouble?

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

Everett Fall Natural Yard Care Series - slides and videos.

Watch from the safety and comfort of your living the webinars we hosted in May 2020 on beavers, climate resilience and running a tree farm.

Agroforestry systems can help farmers of any size adapt to these new weather patterns, lessening the negative impacts that they have across the landscape. Integrating more trees into the farming landscape provides cover that can intercept rainfall, increases the amount of rain that filters into soils, and reduces the quantity, speed, and peak flow of runoff.

The Plan acts as a resource to help farmers plan for a future with both drier and wetter climates, as well as challenges that come with an ever-increasing population. It advocates for preserving farmland and greenspace that can act as both a buffer and balance to the sprawling suburbs that are quickly sprouting up.

Winter’s darkness can be just as challenging as the rain when tending to livestock. Read on for creative ideas to see well enough to keep up with farm chores and tend to a sick or injured animal.