We're Hiring!
Habitat Restoration Crew Lead
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Interested in applying? Applications are due March 7th, 2022 at 5pm. See a full job description and application instructions on our website.
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It's Not Too Late to Vote!
2022 Board of Supervisors
Election Information
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A mail-in election for a board seat (Position 2) on the Thurston Conservation District will be held on March 15, 2022.
Our 2022 Election will be a mail-in only election with no in-person polling site. Ballots may be requested to be mailed to your mailing address through March 8th, 2022 by either emailing ballotrequest@thurstoncd.com or calling 360-754-3588 ext. 121. A ballot will not be automatically mailed to you and cannot be requested from the Thurston County Auditor's Office.
When requesting a ballot, please share:
- Full legal name
- Address at which you are registered to vote
- Mailing address (if different)
- A way to contact you should we need to.
In person ballot requests may be made at the Thurston Conservation District offices (2918 Ferguson St SW, Suite A, Tumwater WA 98512) March 7 - 11, 2022 from 8am – 4:30pm.
Returning Ballots:
All ballots must be returned to the ballot drop box (available outside the TCD offices M-F from 8am – 4:30pm) or postmarked by March 15, 2022. Postage is provided. Please note, you cannot return your ballot to other ballot drop boxes in Thurston County.
Voter Resources:
Candidate Statement
 TJ Johnson
I have served on the Board of Supervisor for the past 3 years, and currently serve as Chair. During this time I helped lead the development of a new strategic plan which focuses the district’s work on clear priorities – preserving farmland, maintaining a strong agricultural economy, addressing climate change, and building an inclusive and diverse organization that reflects our community. Over the past three years we have expanded our ability to serve the community by securing new funding, increasing our technical staff and hiring a permanent executive director. We have also begun the process of developing a conservation and education center which will serve as a site for showcasing conservation practices and hosting expanded educational opportunities. In addition, I have spearheaded an initiative to address farmland loss in the City of Olympia and its urban growth area. Over the next three years I will continue building on these successes while enhancing our capacity to deal with emerging challenges and new opportunities. As a small farmer I depend on many of the resources and services the district provides, and I am honored to be serving in a leadership role in an organization so crucial to the future sustainability of our community.
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Conservation Starters: Frogs on Farms
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During this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we're joined by four guests! Mara Healy our Senior Habitat Restoration Specialist, Nick George & Cassie Doll from USFW Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and Jake Yancey of Tracking Y Ranch. These guests join us to talk about the Frogs on Farms program. During this conversation, we discuss how local landowners and producers are working alongside conservation organizations to support the protected Oregon Spotted Frog through sustainable farming practices like conservation grazing.
You can find this month's and future episode on all major streaming platforms.
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News from South Sound GREEN
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Students from Salish Middle School investigate benthic macroinvertebrates.
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The days are getting longer, the sun has been shining, and South Sound GREEN is busier than ever! Most schools are still unable to take students on field trips, so instead we’ve been bringing the field trips to the students. Throughout February, we’ve brought water quality testing and benthic macroinvertebrates to schools all over Thurston county, reaching hundreds of students of all ages in the process. As always, these programs wouldn’t be possible without our amazing community partners – thanks Nisqually River Education Project and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge!
Now that we’re in March, it means that Student GREEN Congress is right around the corner! Once again this event will be virtual, and this year we have the Chehalis Basin Education Consortium joining us for the first time! Teachers have been registering to participate in our State of the Rivers Story Map, as well as signing up for our numerous community partner-led workshops! This all leads to our keynote event featuring Long Live the Kings and their Survive the Salmon game. We’re so excited for our 29th annual Congress!
Stay tuned for more SSG programs, and hopefully the return of field trips by the end of this school year!
If you are interested in volunteering for any of South Sound GREEN’s programs, or want to learn how to get your own school or class involved, contact Sam Nadell, snadell@thurstoncd.com or (360)754-2588 ext.102
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From Our Community
A snapshot of other great events, programs, and services available from throughout our community.
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Program News
Check this area in our newsletter monthly to see upcoming opportunities, deadlines, and programmatic information from our partners at the Natural Resources Conservation Service office.
- The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up for FY22 has been announced for March 31st, 2022. This program incentivizes continuing stewardship and enhancement of natural resources. Successful applicants receive a minimum $1,500 annual payment for existing management activities and additional pay for enhancement activities to be completed. See eligibility and information about the enhancement options on this webpage.
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2022 Local Food Box Sign Ups Open
SW WA Food Hub
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For more information and to sign up for a food box, visit their website.
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The New Year is well underway, and the spring growing season is right around the corner. Time to meet our goals and live our best life. The SW WA Food Hub brings you the 2022 Local Farm Box!
Formerly the Local Gourmet Sampler Box, the Local Farm Box is a monthly subscription box that sources ingredients from Southwest Washington Growers Co-op member farms and artisans.
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Farm Successional Planning
Underwood Conservation District
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Thursday, March 24th
6pm-8pm, via Zoom
REGISTER HERE
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If you missed our Feb. 23rd 'Planning for the Future of Your Farm Pt. 1' workshop or you're looking for even more information, check out Underwood CD's Successional Planning workshop March 24th! This workshop is for families who want to plan for the future as land management and ownership is passed from generation to generation.
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Thurston Home & Garden Workshops
Thurston County Environmental Health
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See a flyer with all the workshop and registration information here.
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Throughout the month of March, Thurston County Environmental Health is offering a variety of workshops to support a healthy home and garden. These are virtual and free! Join them to learn about things like dealing with mold in your home, protecting children from harmful chemicals, and getting your garden ready for the spring.
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Spring Plant Sale
Native Plant Salvage
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Monday, April 25, 2022 - Monday, May 9, 2022
Native Plant Salvage
3054 Carpenter Road SE
Olympia, WA, 98503
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Specific dates are still TBD, but in late-April, into early May, Native Plant Salvage will have their annual online spring plant sale and in-person pickup! More information to come on their website.
This is a great opportunity for plants if you're unable to attend our March 5th sale event!
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Conservation News
Interesting news, articles, and studies on conservation issues from around the world.
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Meet the Woman Preserving the History of Oregon’s Black Loggers
By Michelle Harris for Atlas Obscura
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"Every Summer, Gwen Trice would pack her tent and drive from Seattle, where she lived at the time, to Oregon’s northeast corner, more than 300 miles away. There, in the shadow of the Wallowa Mountains, working ranches and glacial lakes dotted the high desert landscape. The rural setting was not unfamiliar to Trice; she’d grown up in La Grande, just an hour or so to the southwest. But she’d always felt a special connection to Wallowa County...It was during one of these visits that Trice made an unexpected discovery: Her own family also had roots in the Wallowa area."
Read more here.
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Wildfires are getting worse across the globe. How does California compare?
By Hayley Smith for LA Times
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"An alarming new United Nations report warns that the number of extreme wildfires is expected to increase 50% globally by the end of the century, and that governments are largely unprepared for the burgeoning crisis.
Even the Arctic, previously all but immune to the threat, faces growing wildfire risk because of climate change and other factors, according to the report, which was published Wednesday ahead of the upcoming U.N. Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya."
Read more here.
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Making your land more resilient to drought
By Nancy McNiff for High Plains Journal
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"Now that the 2021 crop year has ended, it’s time to start planning for 2022 and beyond. Many farmers and ranchers west of the Mississippi River have had a very difficult year in 2021 due to drought.
Those in other areas of the country were spared from the worst of the drought this time but may not be as lucky in future years. So, as you’re planning for 2022 production, you may want to consider some conservation practices that can help make your land and livestock more resilient to drought and help your bottom line."
Read more here.
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