Seattle Grant Applications
Now Being Accepted
Letters of Intent Due May 7
The King Conservation District (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 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, 2018. 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
Pre-Proposals
Due April 23
The KCD Regional Food System Grant Program supports projects that contribute to the economic viability of local farmers, encourage new farmers, expand acreage in food production, improve food access and increase demand for King County farm products.The program seeks to fund projects that demonstrate public benefit and a link to improving working agricultural lands in King County. In 2017, KCD awarded nine competitive grants totaling $607,406 for this program.
The RFP for the 2018 Regional Food System Grant was released in mid-March. Pre-proposals are due by 4 PM on April 23 and awards will be announced in October. All application materials and grant timeline will be available HERE on the KCD website, so please check back frequently for updates.
The 2018 Funding Priorities are infrastructure, consumer demand, land access, food safety and business management. For more information about the Regional Food System Grant Program’s requirements or eligibility, please contact Mary Embleton at 425-282-1958 or Mary.Embleton@kingcd.org.
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KCD Launches Farmer-Led
On-Farm Research Program
KCD is utilizing a national, farmer-led research program that makes use of the Discovery Farms (DF) model to study the effectiveness of riparian buffers on agricultural land. The program will adhere to the three fundamental principles of the DF model: farmers’ leadership, scientific research, and strong education and outreach. KCD's goals are to provide scientific evidence to policymakers; empower natural resource conservation managers with better knowledge; increase farmers' knowledge about environmental impacts of farm practices; and enhance adoption of best management practices. Learn more.
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 Community Partnership
Grantee Highlight:
Darrell Howe
Darrell Howe is a long time forest steward at Frink Park in the Leschi Neighborhood of Seattle. The Leschi Community Council received a King Conservation District Seattle Community Partnership grant in 2014 for $45,000. The grant funded three years of Darrell’s hard work to restore two degraded forested wetlands. Since the site is located on a very steep slope with multiple seeps, volunteer work has been limited to the upland areas.
Darrell has dedicated numerous hours of his personal time to the restoration of this site. He has installed a diverse array of native plants and enjoys the scientific experimentation of it all. Contractors were hired to remove invasive trees and he will be moving forward with conifer plantings in an adjacent buffer.
Darrell took over the restoration work from a neighbor friend who passed away, but had dedicated many years to restoring the local greenbelts and will continue planting near the seeps for erosion control. Darrell is truly an example of voluntary conservation in action and we want to say thank you! |
KCD and Local Community
Mourn Loss of Longtime
Cooperator, Darrell Westover
With sadness, KCD learned of the passing of a long time cooperator and former Board Member and Advisory Committee Member, Darrell Westover. Darrel and his wife Adele farmed Christmas trees in Maple Valley for 43 years, in addition to experimenting with indoor strawberries and hazelnuts. He worked with many planners over the years and was always willing to share his own experiences and to learn something new from them.
Mary Embleton, Senior Program Manager for KCD, reflected, "Darrel was a truly kind, compassionate, and generous person. He listened and was thoughtful in conversation, and he always had an inner joy reflected in one of the best smiles I’ve seen. He will always hold a special place in the community I am fortunate to be a part of.” Darrel was an integral member of the KCD family and will be greatly missed.
To read more about Darrel's life, please visit his memorial page.
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KCD Community Ag Team
Joins Volunteers to
Plant Community Food
Garden in Des Moines
On March 10, KCD’s Community Agriculture team joined neighborhood volunteers to bring fresh, healthy food closer to home for the residents of Pacific Ridge in Des Moines. Twenty volunteers gathered and built four 4’ x 9’ raised beds and a raspberry trellis at Midway Park, located between Pacific Highway and I-5. The project was funded through a Port of Seattle Airport Community Ecology Fund, CHI Franciscan Health grant and KCD's Seed Money Fund micro-capital startup money.
Families bringing their children to the park’s playground that Saturday were excited to hear about the opportunity to grow food right in their own neighborhood. The garden is intended for community use and will feature salsa, pizza and herb gardens. Join us for a planting party on May 19, from 2 to 4 PM—all are welcome. Watch for more details coming soon. |
KCD Hosts Successful
2018 Northwest
Regional Envirothon
The King Conservation District, in coordination with Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom conservation districts, hosted the 2018 NW Regional Envirothon on March 27. Stevie Knapp, an AmeriCorps Washington Conservation Corps member serving with KCD took lead on planning and facilitating this annual event.
The top teams, from King County's Ingraham High School (1st overall) and Snohomish County's Stanwood High School (3rd overall), will go on to compete at the Washington State Envirothon in Okanogan on May 24.
To learn more or to register a team, visit the KCD Envirothon webpage. |
Forestry Current Use
Taxation Seminar for King
County Property Owners
April 12, Covington
On Thursday, April 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at the Covington Library, WSU Extension Forestry will hold a Forestry Current Use Taxation Seminar. This seminar will introduce the current use taxation programs that are available to property owners with forested/wooded property in King County. Click HERE to learn more and to register for this FREE Seminar. |
WSU Cover Crop
and Reduced Tillage
Workshop and Field Day,
Plus No-Till Drill Training
April 17, Puyallup
Cover crops improve soil fertility and organic matter, keep soil in place, are useful in managing field moisture, and can help manage weeds, pests and diseases. On Tuesday, April 17, from 12:30 to 4:30 PM, come to the Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center and find out what researchers are learning about integrating cover crops in Pacific Northwest farming systems.
The second half of class fulfills the operating training session required for renting Pierce Conservation District’s new no-till seed drill for seeding cover crops and pasture. Click HERE for more information and to register in advance.
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Auburn Rain Barrel
Truckload Sale,
April 20, Auburn
Snohomish Conservation District is hosting its Rain Barrel Truckload Sale Friday April 20 from 5 to 7 PM at Lowe’s in Auburn. “Save some of the spring rains to carry you into summer!” For more information, click HERE to visit their event page. |
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, Washington. This event helps raise 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.
The dinner, prepared with local ingredients by Chef Cody Castiglia of Della Terra, will also feature beer from Snoqualmie Brewing. Click HERE for tickets and more information. |
 Calendar of Events
April 5: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Maple Valley
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic and reduce maintenance needs.
April 7: Farm Tour - Cover Crops and Hands-On Soil Sampling, Redmond
Learn the benefits of cover crops and soil testing sample gathering.
April 12: Forestry Current Use Taxation Seminar for King County Property Owners, Covington
Learn about current use taxation programs available to property owners with forested/wooded land.
April 14: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects.
April 14: Celebrate Citizen Science Day, Enumclaw
Learn how to identify native and invasive plants at water quality monitoring sites (locations specified upon registration).
April 17: WSU Cover Crop and Reduced Tillage Workshop
Learn benefits of cover crops and reduced tillage.
April 19: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Tukwila
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic and reduce maintenance needs.
Earth Day Volunteer Event – Duwamish Alive!, Seattle
Restore forest habitat along Longfellow Creek, Seattle's second largest Salmon-bearing creek.
April 21: Plant Partners with Liz Crain, Duvall
Learn more about the plants all around us.
April 21: Auburn Rain Barrel Truckload Sale
Purchase a rain barrel.
April 28: EarthCorps Volunteer Day at Rainier Beach, South Seattle
Help restore the urban forest around Kubota Garden.
April 29: Volunteer Day to Restore Natural Area, Redmond
Help remove invasive weeds to restore a forest.
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 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.
April 6: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Day, Renton
Help KCD staff maintain trees and plants used in King County projects.
May 19: Friends of the Fields Benefit Dinner and Auction, Snohomish
Help raise 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. |
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 Mark Dostal Joins
KCD as Its New
Outreach Coordinator
Mark Dostal joined KCD this last March as its new Outreach Coordinator. A recent transplant from Montana, Mark brings with him a decade of experience in conservation and land-use issues. His background includes working harvest on the family farm, teaching outdoor education in Glacier National Park, and most recently, working to engage communities on wildlife and conservation issues while working for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
In his last role, Mark developed engaging outreach and fun community events, bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders towards the common goal of improving Montana’s lands, waters and wildlife. Mark will utilize these skills in his new position to develop innovative outreach tools to convey KCD’s mission and to engage new, as well as existing, stakeholders.
Mark holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Montana. When not developing KCD’s outreach capacity, Mark can be found hiking in the mountains with his wife Tia and their dog River.
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Meet KCD's New Agricultural Drainage Program Assistant, Liz Stockton
Liz Stockton joined KCD recently as the new Agricultural Drainage Program Assistant. She has over a decade of farming experience that began in the Snoqualmie Valley at Full Circle Farm. Since then, she has farmed in several parts of Washington including Thurston, Whatcom, Pierce and Spokane counties. Through these experiences, Liz has gained a broad understanding of the challenges for farmers in this region.
Originally a native of Virginia, Liz spent most of her childhood hiking in the Appalachian Mountains and pleading with her grandfather to let her drive the tractor by herself. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in biology with a focus on entomology. Liz’s new position involves working with King County Agricultural Drainage Assistance Program, helping farmers clear drainage ditches, reduce the length of time for flooding on fields, and bring more acreage back into production.
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 Peter Landry is KCD's
New Engineering Services
Program Manager
Peter Landry became KCD's new Engineering Services Program Manager in March 2018. A Washington native, Peter grew up in Snohomish County and later moved to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University, where he earned degrees in geology, engineering, and education.
Peter previously worked for the City of Normandy Park as its Public Works Director where he managed its facilities, Public Works and Parks Department. He is also a qualified college and secondary science instructor, and has taught part-time at the Edmonds School District and Green River Community College. Peter has served as a consultant to KCD for the past several years, providing engineering and geological support for the marine shoreline program, and authored a handbook on alternatives to shoreline bulkheads.
Peter's new position as engineering services manager will allow him to support the various programs and projects KCD staff are involved in, as well as provide his expertise in geotechnical and water science for citizens, local governments and other entities. Peter lives on his hobby farm with his wife and daughter, and is an avid outdoorsman with an interest in whitewater boating, mountaineering and sailing.
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Looking For a Career in Natural Resource Conservation?
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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 any of our equipment. Contact Kevin Watson at farmservicesip@kingcd.org or 425-282-1952.
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Beautify & Care for Your
Streamside Property
April 5, Maple Valley
April 19, Tukwila
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 Maple Valley workshop will be held at the Glacier Park Elementary School on Thursday, April 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Click HERE to register.
The Tukwila workshop will be held at the Tukwila Public Library on Thursday, April 19, 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. |
April Farm Tour to Feature
Cover Crops and
Hands-On Soil Sampling
April 7, Redmond
Plan on joining KCD on April 7, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Agrarian Society Farm in Sammamish Valley to tour a cooperative farm where we'll learn how the farmers are using cover crops to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health. We'll also find out how to use soil probes and shovels to gather soil samples for submission to KCD's Soil Nutrient Testing Program.
Learn how farmers work cooperatively, bringing in sheep to graze rotationally on the fallow plots, helping amend the soil with manure. Click HERE to register. For more information, contact Elizabeth Clark at Elizabeth.Clark@kingcd.org.
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Celebrate Citizen
Science Day
April 14, Enumclaw
Join King and Pierce Conservation Districts on April 14, from 9 AM to noon, as we celebrate our water quality monitoring citizen science volunteers: KCD Stream Stewards. Learn how to identify native and invasive plants at two water quality monitoring sites (site location specified upon registration). More information about the Stream Steward Program will be provided and participants will learn how to get involved with water quality testing. Click HERE to register. |
Earth Day Volunteer Event - Duwamish Alive!
April 21, Seattle
On Saturday, April 21, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, join the King Conservation District, the Green Seattle Partnership, and the Duwamish Alive Coalition as we restore important forest habitat along Longfellow Creek. Longfellow creek is the second largest Salmon bearing creek in Seattle. Every year, salmon return to the creek, but few make it all the way to spawning due to threatened habitat. We need your help to restore the habitat along the creek and adjacent greenspaces to improve water quality and provide habitat. Click HERE to register. |
Women Owning Woodlands
Event: Plant Partners
with Liz Crain
April 21, Duvall
Join with other women forest owners on March 21 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Leafhopper Farm near Duvall as you take a moment to deconstruct the green wall of vegetation which grows abundantly all around. What can you eat? What medicine grows right outside the front door? Take home a new set of eyes on the landscape to better your relationship with the plants all around! Please bring your own lunch and dress for the weather!
RSVP to Liz at info@leafhopperfarm.com. Visit Woman Owning Woodlands Network (WOWnet) for more information. |
Volunteer to Restore
Redmond’s Natural Areas
April 29
King Conservation District, Forterra and the City of Redmond are partnering together to launch a new pilot Neighborhood Steward program, and you can be a part of our inaugural work! Get your hands dirty and come out to volunteer at Redmond’s East Valley Heights Natural Area on April 29, from 9 AM to noon. Continue the great work already started by volunteers, and help us remove invasive weeds in order to restore the health of these forests. Click HERE to register. |
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 Better Water, Better Soil, and Better Communities…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. |
 Hillside Paradise Parking
Plots Celebrates
Grand Opening of
Refugee and Immigrant Community Garden
May 9, Kent
Mark your calendar to join us on May 9, from 6 to 8 PM, for the grand opening of the Hillside Paradise Parking Plot's Refugee and Immigrants Community Garden! See the parking lot turned garden, and help us celebrate the kick off of the growing season. Join us for tours of the garden, speakers, international food tasting, planting in the demonstration beds, sidewalk chalk drawing and chicken cuddling.
We are converting an acre of paved parking lot space and transforming it into the Paradise Parking Plots community garden with 50 plots, where refugees, immigrants and local community members can gather to grow culturally appropriate foods that promote a healthier lifestyle, improve food access, foster economic independence, and build community. Further, this garden will provide a much needed space for interactive nutrition and health education of youth and adults in the Kent community.
Click HERE to register.
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