2019 Native Bareroot
Plant Sale is Live!
Place Orders Now and
Save 10% on
Orders Over $100
The KCD Native Plant Sale features 70 species, with a focus on affordable bareroot and plug material. Last year, over 800 orders helped distribute over 60,000 native plants! Placing your orders soon ensures the best selection and price. Orders over $100 placed through the end of November will receive a 10% discount. Visit the Native Plant Sale page on our website for details and online ordering. Order today!
The Plant Pick-up Day is Saturday, March 16, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Renton Community Center. We'll see you there! |
 Photo Credit Wayne Elson
Mirrormont A Model Fire Adapted Community
The Mirrormont Community, nestled in the trees of Tiger Mountain’s southwestern foothills, completed a community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) in 2015 with help from WA Department of Natural Resources and King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks. As part of implementing this community plan, KCD’s Rural Forest Health Management program provided planning and financial assistance to complete several fuels reductions projects in the community, including a chipper day in May of 2017. Over 100 community residents participated in these projects. Since then, the Mirrormont Community Association has taken the lead in organizing and funding its own annual chipper days, averaging around 60 participants working together to reduce fuels around their homes and neighborhood. They also organize community education events focused on being prepared for and preventing wildfires. Most recently they hosted a community event in September that brought together residents and representatives from KCD, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and the local fire district.
If you or your community would like to learn more about how to become a fire adapted community or how to be Firewise contact King County’s Wendy Sammarco at wendy.sammarco@kingcounty.gov.
KCD also offers wildlife preparedness and prevention services to communities in King County. Click HERE to learn more. |
KCD Selects 2018 Urban Forestry Projects
In October, KCD's Board of Supervisors approved the six project proposals in the Urban Forest Health Management program. Commencing in 2019, Urban Forestry will be partnering with Beaux Arts, Kenmore, Mercer Island, Normandy Park, and Woodinville on a variety of exciting projects and assistance, while working on an Urban Forest Stewardship Education Initiative for all communities. Click HERE to learn more. |
King County Farmers
We Need Your Feedback!
Small and mid-sized farm businesses have found profit in direct-to-market sales but often find that they need better marketing and promotion support in order to sustain and amplify that profit.
Earlier this year KCD contracted with the University of Washington (UW) Center for Public Health Nutrition to launch a survey of King County’s food producers. The survey will help us better support farmers in growing your direct-market farm businesses. Respondents can enter a raffle to win one of 20 $50 Visa cash cards. The survey is anonymous, and closes at the end of 2018.
We need your help for this survey to have impact. As someone that supports a resilient regional food system, we encourage you to complete the survey: Click HERE to Take the Survey. |
 Seattle Grants Funded
Six projects have been recommended by the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) and approved by KCD's Board of Supervisers to be funded through the KCD Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program:
iUrban Teen (iUT) – Yesler Terrace Goes Green ($55,458) – iUT will create a durable, urban farm in the Yesler Terrace community, incorporating community engagement and sponsoring an Environmental Career Summit for youth of color.
Na’ah Illahee Fund (NIF) – Seattle Urban Native Community Indigenous Foods and Ecological Knowledge Project ($75,000) – This project will support the work of a cohort of Native women and girls working with NIF staff, a graphic designer and an environmental services consultant to create and submit a comprehensive plan implementing ecological restoration in Discovery Park.
Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) – Y-WE Nature Connections ($75,000) – Seventy young women (ages 13–18) and 20 adult women will participate in an Environmental Leadership Council focused on environmental justice and healthy food. The programs will consist of a variety of hands-on activities integrating STEM learning in real world contexts.
Zero Waste Washington – Youth Green Jobs ($70,000) – In partnership with Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, this project will help youth assess litter in the community and conduct outreach and engagement with local small businesses for waste prevention.
Delridge Neighborhood Development Association – Delridge Wetlands Restoration & stewardship Project ($70,000) – This project includes restoring/improving wetland functionality and improving wetland hydrology and the quality of water entering Longfellow Creek.
The Common Acre – The Green Line ($70,000) – The Green Line project will have the Common Acre and local partners develop and manage the next phase of a pollinator conservation project along Seattle City Light’s Creston-Duwamish transmission corridor.
Click HERE to learn more. |
Envirothon Team
Recruitment Starting Soon!
Do you know a high school student or teacher interested in natural resources? KCD is recruiting teams of high school students to participate in the field-based Northwest Regional Envirothon competition this spring. Learn about wildlife, forestry, aquatics and soils from natural resource experts while competing to win scholarships and other prizes. Click HERE to learn more.
Interested high school students and teachers should email educationIP@kingcd.org for more information on participating. |
Cover Crop Give-Away A Success
Since August 1, KCD has given away over 600 pounds of cover crop seed to more than 225 King County backyard gardeners and a dozen community gardens. By the middle of October, the crimson clover and yellow field pea seeds have been sown into garden plots across the county and many gardeners report having germination within 3 days, thanks to our wonderful fall weather.
Cover crops will continue growing throughout the fall and provide:
- protection from erosion and compaction caused by winter rains
- habitat for native pollinators and beneficial insects
- help in suppressing weeds
Because these crops are legumes, they will also fix nitrogen in the soil that will be available to plants this spring.
If you are growing a cover crop in your garden, please share your story (and pictures) at info@kcdcommuntyag.org. |
 Calendar of Events
November 1: KCD Native Bareroot Plant Sale, Online
Orders placed through November 30 receive 10% discount. Pick-up Day is March 16 in Renton.
November 1 & 8: Land & Water Stewardship for Horse & Livestock Owners, Redmond
Discover ways you can have less mud, better pastures, manage manure, and care for streams and wetlands.
November 1: Become a Better Ground Ambassador, Renton
Train to represent KCD at events like the King County Fair, Vashon Sheepdog Classic or CHOMP! food festival (training held monthly).
November 3: Natural Gardens for Native Pollinators, Muckleshoot
Learn about pollinators and their positive impact on your property and how you can support them.
November 3: Trail Maintenance at Garfield Ledges Trail, North Bend
Help improve trails and replant native species.
November 3: Green Seattle Day
Have a hand in restoring Seattle’s forests during Forterra's biggest party of the year!
November 6: Beautify and Care for Your Streamside Property, Renton
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance property and reduce maintenance needs.
November 10: Puget Sound Orca Recovery Day, Vashon
Help our resident orcas by restoring salmon-bearing Judd Creek.
November 10: Tree Planting at Confluence Park, Issaquah
Help create salmon habitat by planting native trees and shrubs.
November 11: Work Party at Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue
Help restore native habitat.
November 14: Growing Groceries 2.0 Series, Issaquah
Learn about growing healthy vegetables and fruit in our maritime climate.
November 16: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects and earn native plants.
November 17: Our Land Our Water, Renton
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance property and reduce maintenance needs while living along the water.
November 17: Poultry Processing Thanksgiving Field Day, Renton
Learn about processing birds, local food production and using KCD's mobile processing unit on your own farm.
November 17: Friends of the Hill Volunteer Day, Tukwila
Help finish planting and mulching to prepare the saplings for winter.
November 18: Planting Party in East Valley Heights, Redmond
Help restore native habitat.
November 30: Fall Planting at Leschi Park, Central Seattle
Help restore native habitat.
December 8: Where the Water Begins Workshop for Marine Shoreline Landowners, Vashon
Learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning waterfront property.
December 8: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects and earn native plants.
December 14: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects and earn native plants.
January 24–Marcy 7: WSU Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Online Class
Learn about managing the trees on your property.
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Puget Sound Orca
Recovery Day
November 10, Vashon
The southern resident killer whales (SRKW) that call Puget Sound home are critically endangered. In the past two months alone, two of our local orcas died from a combination of malnutrition, pollution and stress. Puget Sound Conservation Districts work everyday to make conditions better for local orcas and are now presenting a region-wide event to give everyone the opportunity to join in this work.
In support of Puget Sound Orca Recovery Day, KCD and Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust on Vashon Island are teaming up on Saturday, November 10, from 10 AM to 2 PM, to help restore Judd Creek, a major salmon-bearing creek on the island. A healthy stream means more salmon and food for orcas. Click HERE to register.
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Last Chance!
Land and Water Stewardship
November 8, Redmond
Join KCD Farm Planners and other regional experts to learn how to live sustainably with horses and livestock on your property. Attend one or both of the final two classes (previous attendance not required):
- November 8 – Pasture Management: Becoming a Grass Farmer, 6:15 to 8:45 PM.
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Become a
Better Ground Ambassador
December 6, Renton
Help KCD promote local food, healthy forests and clean water by becoming a Better Ground Ambassador. Join us for the next orientation on Thursday, November 1, from 6 to 7 PM at KCD in Renton. As an ambassador, you'll help educate the public about local conservation at farmers markets, the NW Flower and Garden Show, and across King County. Click HERE for more information and to register. |
Learn About Stewarding &
Protecting Your Stream!
November 17, Shoreline
Join us for one or both of these FREE upcoming workshops and learn about actions you can take at home to protect clean water, control invasive weeds, utilize native plants, and add beauty and value to your property:
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Poultry Processing
Thanksgiving Field Day
November 17, Renton
Join us on Saturday, November 17, 10 AM to 3 PM, at KCD in Renton and learn from poultry business owners and experts about processing birds and local food production. See a demonstration of KCD’s mobile poultry processing unit and learn how you can use it on your own farm! Click HERE to register and learn more. |
Where the Water Begins
Workshop for Marine
Shoreline Landowners
December 8, Vashon
Is your marine bluff or beach property eroding or jeopardizing your house? Do you want to manage vegetation to stabilize slopes while maintaining a beautiful view of Puget Sound? Then join us on Saturday, December 8, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, on Vashon for a workshop that provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning property Where the Water Begins. Hear presentations from local experts and stay for an optional field trip to see examples of all topics discussed. Click HERE for more information and to register. |
KCD Board of Supervisors
Intent to Adopt an
Elections Resolution
November 19, Renton
The King Conservation District (KCD) Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting on Monday, November 19, 2018 starting at 5 PM at the KCD Renton Office (800 SW 39th St, Suite 150, Renton WA 98057) to adopt a resolution setting the date, time and location of an election to fill a Conservation District Supervisor’s expiring term. Click HERE to learn more. |
Welcome to Our 2018-2019 WCC Crew
KCD’s restoration Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews hit the ground running last month. These hearty crewmembers will play a crucial role in restoring and protecting healthy streamside habitat over their year of service. Their hard work clearing noxious weeds and planting resilient natives helps improve habitat and the health of our watersheds.
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 Welcome to the New AmeriCorps IPs
Please join us in welcoming KCD's newest AmeriCorps Individual Placements who began their year of service in October:
Anne-Gi was a small animal veterinarian for many years when she decided to change her career and join the environmental conservation field. She holds the Wetland Science and Management Certificate and has a Master of Environmental Horticulture, both from the University of Washington. Her responsibilities as the Volunteer and Restoration Projects Coordinator include planning and coordinating volunteer events at the Wetland Plants Cooperative and habitat restoration project sites, as well as assisting in the planning, design, and implementation of restoration projects under the Shoreline and Riparian Habitat Program.
Minsahng grew up in Seoul, South Korea and Vancouver, Washington and is a graduate of Hendrix College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. He spent a year in China working as an environmental science teaching assistant and is also a medical interpreter for Korean and English. Minsahng’s year of service at KCD will consist of helping lead the Land & Water Stewardship and Marine Shoreline workshops, special topics classes, farm tours and Envirothon.
Anna was born near Kingston, WA but grew up living abroad for nine years. Her previous work includes farming, environmental education and outdoor trip instruction. Anna has a B.S. in Public Health from the University of Washington and will focus on outreach and community agriculture.
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New Class Series:
Growing Groceries 2.0
November–May, Issaquah
Join King County Master Gardeners for Growing Groceries 2.0, a series of classes about growing healthy vegetables and fruits. The series runs through May 2019 at The Grange in Issaquah. Cost $5 per class.
Topics include soil preparation, garden design, variety selection for our maritime climate, seed starting, main edible plant families (alliums, brassicas, legumes and nightshades), disease and pest management, and more.
Click HERE for more information and dates and to register. |
Register Now for
WSU Forest Stewardship
Coached Planning
Online Class
January 24–March 7
Register for Washington State University's Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Course Webinars by January 11 to receive an early registration discount. This seven-week series includes Thursday evening webinars from February 1 through March 15, with a field trip on Saturday, March 2.
The course provides resources for everyone with trees on their property. Click HERE for more information and to register. |
Salmon Are Here!
Experience the Journey Yourself
Each fall, salmon make the long trek to spawn in streams and rivers across the Puget Sound region. Check out salmon viewing opportunities through early-December that likely offer the best chances of seeing salmon – particularly during a year when many stocks are returning in below-average numbers.
A calendar of events and a map can be found on the Salmon SEEson website. Click HERE to learn more. |
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