Seattle Grant Applications
Now Being Accepted,
Letters of Intent Due May 7
The KCD – Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program is requesting applications from nonprofit organizations and community groups committed to advancing environmental equity and making natural resource improvements. Organizations and groups are encouraged to apply for projects that meet at least one goal of the City of Seattle’s Equity & Environment Agenda and that improve Seattle’s natural resources through direct improvements; education and outreach; pilot or demonstration projects; or capacity building.
Letters of Intent are due by 5 PM on Monday, May 7. For more information and for application guidelines, please visit the KCD website. For questions, contact Jessica Saavedra at 425-282-1906. |
KCD Regional Food System Grant Program Orientation Workshop a Success
KCD recently held an orientation workshop for its Regional Food System Grant Program. Mary Embleton, Regional Food System Program Manager, led the orientation and shared what makes for a successful grant. Attendance at the workshop was significantly larger than last year and attracted many new faces. One new feature was a networking segment where new applicants could ask advice from mentors who are already familiar with the grant process. Click HERE to learn more. |
 Jim Haack is Voted KCD
Board Supervisor-Elect
Jim Haack is the supervisor-elect to the KCD Board of Supervisors. Jim joined the KCD Advisory Committee in 2014 to help KCD chart its future in supporting conservation across the region. Along with numerous other dedicated stakeholders, he helped guide the implementation of the KCD/King County Conservation Panel and Task Force recommendations.
Jim’s experience as a boy in the Ozark hills built his conservation values, including passion for the land and livestock. Fifteen years ago Jim and his wife of 29 years moved their young family to the Snoqualmie Valley.
Jim shared, “Moving forward, KCD will play a more integrated role in implementing regional food policy and building social equity and will expand its contribution to local solutions for healthy cities facing long-term climate-related issues.”
Jim strongly believes we have entered a new era in conservation both locally and regionally. “Economically viable farming in King County that supports families and feeds us locally is on the rise. Farmers here, with renewed support, are joining conservationists, cities and non-profit advocacy groups to lead change.”
These results are preliminary until certified by the Washington State Conservation Commission.
|
Hillside Garden
Cover Crop Turning
On Saturday April 14, members of the KCD Community Agriculture Team attended a volunteer event at the Hillside Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden in Kent. Gardeners had an opportunity to turn their cover crops over and to receive a unique variety of vegetable seeds distributed by the team. Plot owners have backgrounds representing 15 different countries and the seeds requested include unique varieties such as Bottle Gourd, Akasanjaku Long Beans, Ping Tung Long Eggplants and Malabar Spinach.
Approximately 150 seed packets were distributed as well as several “Growing Food in the City” manuals provided by Seattle Public Utilities. These manuals are available online in 18 different languages and are especially important to Hillside gardeners, many of whom speak Farsi, Somali and Nepali. KCD plans to distribute further seeds and plant starts at Hillside’s upcoming planting party on Wednesday, May 9, beginning at 6 PM. Click here for more information. |
Stream Stewards Program
Celebrates Citizen
Science Day
On April 14, KCD partnered with Pierce Conservation District in celebrating our Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring volunteers. Ten volunteers joined native plant experts for a plant identification training at a riparian restoration project and forested area.
All Stream Steward volunteers receive continuing education training to learn about natural resource topics impacting water quality. Learn how to get involved with water quality testing in your area or become a KCD Stream Steward! Click here for more information. |
Hike With a Purpose: Become a Weed Watcher!
May 7, Seattle
June 3, North Bend
If it drives you crazy to see invasive weeds while you are out hiking, then become a Weed Watcher! Invasive plants can do serious harm to forests and alpine plant communities. Public land managers such as the US Forest Service, Washington DNR and Washington State Parks are all short-staffed, especially when it comes to tracking down and controlling invasive plants in remote wilderness areas. They need help finding new infestations in order to stop them while still manageable.
King County Noxious Weeds and the Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council’s (PNW-IPC) Citizen Science EDRR Program are offering two training classes in King County this year for trail weed watchers:
- Monday, May 7, from 6 to 8:30 PM, at the Mountaineers office in Seattle.
- Sunday, June 3, from 12:30 to 4:30 PM, at the Snoqualmie District Ranger Station in North Bend.
|
Friends of the Fields
Benefit Dinner and Auction
May 19, Snohomish
Mark your calendars now for the Friends of the Fields Benefit Dinner and Auction on May 19, from 5 to 9 PM, at the historic Craven Farm in Snohomish. This event raises funds in support of the Carnation Farmers Market, Experience Farming Project, Farmland Network, Farm Business Center, farm-positive policy advocacy, and monthly potluck talks and farm tours.
Dinner is prepared with local ingredients by Chef Cody Castiglia of Della Terra and features beer from Snoqualmie Brewing. Click HERE for tickets and more information. |
 Calendar of Events
May 3: Better Ground Ambassadors Outreach Volunteer Orientation, Renton
Train to become a KCD volunteer.
May 5: Deadhorse Canyon Backyard Habitat Restoration Workshop, Seattle
Tour and learn about successful backyard stewardship projects.
May 5: Green River Trail Clean-Up, Kent
Collect, count and quantify litter along a section of Green River.
May 7: Weed Watcher Training, Seattle
Learn how to help public land managers track down and control invasive plants in remote wilderness areas.
May 9: Hillside Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden Grand Opening – Refugee and Immigrant Community Garden, Kent
Learn about Hillside Paradise Parking Plot's Refugee and Immigrants Community Garden.
May 10: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Auburn
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic and reduce maintenance needs.
May 12: Zero Waste Washington Green River Trail Clean-up, Kent
Help collect, count and quantify litter along the Green River.
May 12: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects and earn native plants.
May 12: Phinney Ridge Work Party, Seattle
Help stop the spread of blackberry and ivy and save trees.
May 15: Urban Forest Symposium - Collective Action: Partnerships for a Healthy Urban Forest, Seattle
Learn about different models for building effective partnerships.
May 16: Duwamish Shoreline Monthly Volunteer Day, Tukwila
Help combat invasive weeds along the shoreline of the Duwamish.
May 18: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects and earn native plants.
May 19: Friends of the Fields Benefit Dinner and Auction, Snohomish
Help raise funds in support of the various farm-positive policy advocacy and projects, monthly potluck talks and farm tours.
May 19: Restoration at Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah
Help re-establish native plant communities and prevent invasive species growth.
May 21: RainWise Workshop, Seattle
Learn about applying for a Seattle Public Utilities and King County rebate for up to 100% of the cost of your rain garden or cistern.
May 24: Bring Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden, Tukwila
Learn about native pollinators and how to identify them.
May 26: Redmond Watershed Preserve Volunteer Day, Redmond
Help the forest stay healthy and green by joining in a restoration project.
May 29: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Kent
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic and reduce maintenance needs.
June 2: Invasive Forest Weed Control Field Practicum - Got Weeds?, Kent
Learn to identify and control some of the most common invasive weeds.
June 2: Where the Water Begins Workshop, Vashon
Learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning water-front property.
June 3: Weed Watcher Training, North Bend
Learn how to help public land managers track down and control invasive plants in remote wilderness areas.
June 5: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Bellevue
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic and reduce maintenance needs.
June 9: Building a Riding Arena Tour and Workshop, Hobart
Learn how to make the right choices for you and your horses, land and natural resources.
June 14: Super Simple Horse Keeping Tour, Maple Valley
Learn super-simple techniques for keeping horses.
June 30: Where the Water Begins Workshop at Discovery Park, Seattle
Learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning water-front property.
July 14: Where the Water Begins Workshop at Dumas Bay, Federal Way
Learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning water-front property. |
Like Us on Facebook!
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with the latest King Conservation District news. |
|
Boeing Staff Volunteer at
Rain Barrel Event
KCD teamed up with the Snohomish Conservation District and volunteers from Boeing for an Earth Day Rain Barrel Pop-Up event held at Lowe’s in Auburn on Sunday, April 22. Volunteers helped construct rain barrels that were offered for sale at affordable prices. The use of rain barrels has many helpful advantages, including reducing harmful water runoff and lowering utility bills for property owners.
|
Thank You to Our
Earth Week Volunteers!
Thank you to all the volunteer groups that participated in restoration projects celebrating Earth Week! We had 97 volunteers at three project sites.
Seventh-grade students from Eastside Preparatory School spread 30 yards of mulch around riparian area plantings on a farm property in Redmond. A team from REI spread over 20 yards of mulch at an urban shoreline restoration project in Burien.
You don’t have to wait until next year’s Earth Week to get involved! Bring your family, friends, co-workers, church or other group out to volunteer today. Click HERE to sign up.
|
Duwamish Alive! Earth Day Celebration
Thank you to the 20 amazing volunteers that came out to the KCD Duwamish Alive! site on Saturday, April 21. Volunteers weeded the forest restoration planting areas and picked up over 1,000 pounds of litter in an urban forested area adjacent to Longfellow Creek in West Seattle. Across the Green-Duwamish Watershed, over 1000 volunteers participated in habitat restoration and shoreline clean up events at 16 project sites.
To learn more about Duwamish Alive, visit http://www.duwamishalive.org/.
|
Looking For a Career in Natural Resource Conservation?
|
KCD Equipment
Loan Program
It’s about that time to drop some lime! Did you know that you can rent a new Rhino Limer Drop Spreader from KCD? We also have a poultry processing unit, no-till seed drill, manure spreader, hay probe and two weed wrenches for rent. Please visit the KCD Tools webpage to check availability and rent or borrow any of our equipment. Contact Kevin Watson for more information at farmservicesip@kingcd.org or 425-282-1952.
|
Better Ground Ambassadors
Volunteer Orientation
May 3, Renton
Do you enjoy talking with people? Do you enjoy going to events like the King County Fair, the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, community street fairs and farmers markets? KCD is looking for volunteers to spread the word about our programs and services. Help KCD promote Local Food, Healthy Forests and Clean Water…become a Better Ground Ambassador today! Click HERE to learn more and to register for the orientation on May 3, from 6 to 7 PM. |
Deadhorse Canyon
Backyard Habitat
Restoration Workshop
May 5, Seattle
Join us on May 5, from 11 AM to 2 PM for a FREE tour and workshop of successful backyard stewardship projects in Seattle! Learn about backyard habitat restoration tips and best practices for properties adjacent to public open spaces. Tour three properties in the Deadhorse Canyon area surrounding Lakeridge Park, with hands-on "learn-and-do" workshop topics about removing invasive species, sheet mulching, native plant selection, summer watering, and ongoing care. Refreshments provided.
Click HERE to learn more and to register. |
 Beautify & Care for Your
Streamside Property
May 10, Auburn
May 29, Kent
June 5, Bellevue
Learn ways that you can support wildlife, enhance your property, and reduce maintenance needs. Don't miss these FREE workshops for homeowners living near streams, lakes and wetlands.
Topics will include minimizing pollution runoff on your property; controlling invasive weeds; utilizing native plants for wildlife habitat and erosion control; adding value and beauty to your yard naturally; and learning about environmental regulations that impact your property.
The Auburn workshop will be held at the Auburn Library on Thursday, May 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Click HERE to register.
The Kent workshop will be held at Kent City Hall on Tuesday, May 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Click HERE to register.
The Bellevue workshop will be held at Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center on Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Click HERE to register.
For more information, contact Stacie Powers at stacie.powers@kingcd.org or 425-282-1918. |
2018 Year of the Pollinator
“Bring Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden"
May 24, Tukwila
Bees, beetles and butterflies, oh my! Pollinators are the animal life that sustains us! Although we may rarely notice these insects visiting flowers, more than 85% of all plant species on earth need pollinators to survive. Bees alone pollinate over $200 billion in crops every year, including about one-third of the food that we eat!
That’s just one reason why KCD is partnering with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to highlight the importance of native pollinators in a series of educational events. Join KCD Staff and Washington State University Master Gardeners at the Tukwila Library on May 24, from 6:30 to 8 PM, for “Bring Bees and Butterflies to your Garden.” Participants will learn more about native pollinators and how to identify their garden visitors.
Click HERE to register and for more information. |
 Invasive Forest Weed Control Field Practicum: Got Weeds?
June 2, Kent
Invasive forest weeds cause economic and environmental damage by not only inhibiting the growth of or even killing trees, but by causing significant ecological harm by taking over ecosystems, crowding out native species, degrading wildlife habitat and increasing erosion. Controlling these noxious invaders is a challenging but essential task for landowners.
Join us for Got Weeds? on Saturday, June 2, from 9 AM to 4 PM, in Kent where you will learn to identify and control some of the most common invasive weeds that cause economic and environmental damage in forests, such as blackberries, knotweed, reed canary grass, butterfly bush, Scotch broom, tansy ragwort, and more. This field-based, hands-on practicum will cover both chemical and non-chemical control options. Protective gear will be provided.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $15/person or $25/couple before May 19 (save $10!) or $25/person or $35/couple until registration closes on May 31. Student and Master Gardener discounts are available (call 206-263-1128 for details). Click HERE for more information and to register. |
Where the Water Begins
June 2, Vashon
June 3, Seattle
July 14, Federal Way
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? The King Conservation District invites you to attend Where the Water Begins, a FREE workshop developed for property owners along the marine shorelines of King County.
This workshop will provide 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. Register for a workshop near you:
|
Building a Riding Arena
Tour and Workshop
June 9, Hobart
So you want to build a riding arena? What considerations are there beyond how big to make it and the location? Join us on Saturday, June 9, from 9 AM to Noon for this FREE tour and workshop at Two Cedars Farm in Hobart.
The first half of this workshop will be a presentation and discussion on considerations, regulations and resources (bring a folding chair if desired). The second part will be a tour of the on-site 20x48 meter covered dressage arena (dress for the weather) where you can see this farm's approach to paddock, pasture and manure management as well as barn organization.
Learn how to make the right choices for you and your horses, land and natural resources. To register, visit KCD's Eventbrite page, call (425) 282-1949 or email signup@kingcd.org.
|
June Farm Tour to Feature
Super Simple Horse Keeping
June 14, Maple Valley
Join us for this FREE tour of Canter Creek Farm in Maple Valley on Thursday, June 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Learn how this landowner simplified her life and laid out chore-efficiency plans for this two-horse, two-goat, four-acre property. Some of the super-simple techniques you’ll see include easy-to-maintain fencing; employing goats for chemical-free blackberry and weed control; manure composting next to sacrifice area; hay loading/unloading without specialized equipment needs; a special hay storage platform that preserves hay and minimizes rodent infestation; and much more!
To register, visit KCD's Eventbrite page, call (425) 282-1949 or email signup@kingcd.org.
|
|
