Place Orders Now for
2018 Native Plant Sale
Save 10% on
Orders Over $100
The KCD Native Plant Sale features 70 species, with a focus on affordable bareroot and plug material. We broke records in 2017 with over 700 orders selling 60,000 native plants! Placing your orders soon ensures best selection and prices. Orders over $100 placed through the end of November will receive a 10% discount. See the Native Plant Sale page on our website for details and online ordering.
The Plant Pick-up day is Saturday, February 24th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Native Pollinators -
KCD Focus for 2018
Creating increased habitat for native pollinators is one way everyone can participate in responding to honeybee decline. In 2018 KCD will host a series of projects and educational events focusing on practical ways to support and increase pollinator populations in both urban and rural environments.
KCD's "Year of the Pollinator" will kick off with a special display and resource information at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, February 7-11. We will also feature pollinator plants and seeds at the annual KCD Native Plant Sale, February 24th.
Seventy percent of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce. In addition to honeybees, there are many species of native pollinators, including bumble bees, mason bees, lady bugs, syrphid flies, lacewings, and butterflies. Click on The Xerces Society website for a wide range of resources on attracting native pollinators to your farm and garden. |
Vashon Island
Firewise Community
Jarret Griesemer, KCD Forestry Project Coordinator, helps communities across King County prepare for wildfires. Over the past two years he assisted Vashon Cohousing, an 18-home community located on twelve acres near the heart of Vashon Island, with assessing fire hazards and implementing fuel reduction projects. The work culminated in mid-October with the presentation of a sign recognizing Vashon Cohousing as an official Firewise Community. See the KCD Facebook page for photos of the planning and implementation of the Firewise plan at Vashon Cohousing.
See our website to learn more about KCD Wildfire Preparedness & Prevention Services.
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The Latest News from
Hillside Paradise
What’s new at Hillside Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden in Kent? Since June, 12,000 square feet of asphalt has been removed and recycled to make room for planting beds, 231 yards of gravel were removed from the planting areas and stored on site, 263 yards of soil were delivered (100 yards donated by Cedar Grove Compost), 3,420 cinder blocks were delivered to outline planting plots, 416 unique volunteers have been on site working to build 44 in-ground planting plots and 6 raised handicap-accessible beds, and 65 pounds of rye and vetch cover crop seed was spread to help control erosion, and prevent compaction and weeds in the planting plots.
We look forward to using the lessons learned in partnering with World Reliefin this effort to help other faith and community groups build gardens that will provide access to healthy, local food and build stronger communities.
Follow the Hillside Parking Plots Community Gardenadventure on their Facebook page. If you are interested in volunteering at Hillside (either individually or by bringing a group), contact Robbie Adams at World Relief: radams@wr.org.
See our website to learn more about KCD Urban Agriculture programs and services.
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Rachel Konrady to Coordinate Urban Habitat
Restoration Services
Rachel Konrady initially worked for a year with KCD as a Washington Conservation Corps volunteer. She joined the KCD staff in 2012, serving most recently as Landowner Incentive Program Lead. This fall Rachel was appointed KCD Urban Freshwater Shoreline Program Coordinator. She replaces Adam Jackson, who moved to a new position as a Snohomish County watershed steward.
Beginning in 2015, KCD expanded its shoreline and riparian habitat improvement services in partnership with member jurisdictions to increase the acres and miles of enhanced freshwater shoreline on urban and suburban residential properties. The Urban Freshwater Shoreline Program Coordinator works with these homeowners to plan and implement shoreline protection and enhancement projects that focus on removing weedy species and planting native trees and shrubs to improve water quality, stabilize shoreline banks, and improve fish and wildlife habitat.
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Communications Coordinator
Mark Musick Retires
After more than five years with the King Conservation District, Mark Musick retired at the end of October. As Communications Coordinator he edited the monthly KCD Newsletter, produced photo essays for the KCD Facebook page, initiated the Native Plant Community Fair in conjunction with the Plant Sale, and assisted with developing the Agricultural Drainage Program.
Mark will continue as a consultant with KCD to ensure continuity with the communications program and to assist with legislative outreach in Olympia.
If you have news releases or other information for the KCD Newsletter or social media, send them to: district@kingcd.org. |
Community Engagement
Grants Available for
Unincorporated Areas
King County initiated a Community Engagement Program to provide grants of up to $5,000 to support projects in unincorporated areas that encourage participation from all aspects of the community. Applications are due Friday, November 17th.
See the King County Community Service Areas website for details on the grant program and information on previously funded projects. |
Make this Year's
Thanksgiving Feast
a Local One!
Thanksgiving is suddenly just a few weeks away. This year treat friends and family to a feast featuring fresh, locally grown ingredients from the Snoqualmie Valley Farmers Cooperative. CLICK HERE for details on ordering a 2017 Thanksgiving Box and a list of pickup locations across King County, including the KCD offices in Renton! |
Calendar of Events
November 2: Manure Management Workshop, Issaquah
Strategies for making the most of manure.
November 3: Save Money, Save Time, Save Puget Sound, Woodinville
Get easy tips on ways to reduce plastics in your household.
November 4: Get Ready for a Mud-Free Winter, Redmond
Tour a small farm with five horses that has eliminated mud from paddocks and an outdoor dressage area.
November 4: Envirothon Training, Woodinville
Prepare your high school team for the 2018 Envirothon.
November 4: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for habitat restoration.
November 4: Green Seattle Day, Seattle
Help restore parks across Seattle.
November 5: Longfellow Creek Celebration, Seattle
Celebrate 25 years of community engagement in restoring Longfellow Creek.
November 6: Managing on the Farm – Building a Team that Works, Carnation
Learn how to build a farm team that works.
November 9: Pasture Management Workshop, Issaquah
Learn how to provide the healthiest pastures for your animals.
November 9: City Fruit Celebrates, Seattle
Support City Fruit and learn about their new program, Harvest for All.
November 14: Cooperatives and How they Work, Anacortes
Class on how to form and manage cooperatives.
November 15: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property, Seattle
Free workshop for landowners near streams and wetlands.
November 17: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for habitat restoration.
November 18: Deadhorse Canyon Planting Party, Seattle
Work with neighbors to restore a forested area with native plants.
November 18: Women in Agriculture Conference
Regional conference for women engaged in all aspects of agriculture.
November 18: Green Kirkland Day, Kirkland
Help restore Denny Park.
November 22: Riverton Creek Restoration, Tukwilla
Join Green Tukwila in restoring native habitat.
November 28: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property, Covington
Free workshop for landowners near streams and wetlands.
November 17: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for habitat restoration.
December 2: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for habitat restoration.
December 9: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for habitat restoration. |
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Seven Seattle Organizations Awarded Community Partnership Grants
The King Conservation District-Seattle Community Partnership Program funds projects by Seattle non-profits that support ecosystem restoration, urban agriculture, and environmental justice.
Jessica Saavedra, KCD Grant Program Manager, recently announced that for 2017 the partnership awarded $391,000 in grants to seven community-based organizations: Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Chinese Information & Service Center, InterIm Community Development Association, Na'ah Illahee Fund, Rainier Beach Action Coalition, Seattle Parks Foundation, and Sustainable Seattle.
See the KCD-Seattle Community Partnership page on our website to learn about the program and this year's award recipients.
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KCD Board of Supervisors
Election Open for
Candidate Applications
The King Conservation District Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution on October 30th, 2017 establishing the requirements for the 2018 election for Seat #3 on the KCD Board.
To apply for the open position on the Board of Supervisors, Seat #3, submit an application to the King Conservation District by the candidate filing deadline. The candidate filing deadline for the 2018 KCD election is January 31st, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. (PST). See the Washington Conservation Commission’s election page for more details about the application process.
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Vote in the KCD Board of
Supervisors Election
KCD will hold an election for the Board of Supervisors form March 17 to March 30. The primary method of voting in this election will be by a mail-in, paper ballot that must be requested by the voter using an online or telephone ballot application process. Further information about, and a hyperlink to, this application will be available on the KCD website starting March 17th.
Alternatively, an in-person paper ballot polling station will also be available at the King Conservation District Office during the business hours of the voting period. For more details see the KCD website. |
Advisory Committee Guides
KCD Programs & Services
The King Conservation District is guided by a broadly representative Advisory Committee that provides policy guidance to our Board of Supervisors. The committee is composed of elected officials and senior staff from member jurisdictions, partner organizations, and private landowners.
The Advisory Committee provides KCD Board and staff members with diverse perspectives to help ensure our programs and services respond to the needs of the wide range of communities in King County.
The committee currently has openings for rural and urban property owners. See the KCD Advisory Committee page on our website for details. |
KCD Agricultural
Drainage Program Serves
More Farmers
In 2017 the KCD Agricultural Drainage Program assisted 16 farmers with clearing 2.8 miles of drainage channels in the Snoqualmie Valley and on the Enumclaw Plateau.
Since 2015 the program has assisted a total of 31 King County farmers with clearing nearly 8 miles of blocked drainage channels. The projects put 151 acres back into production that had been too wet to farm, and enhanced production on an additional 660 acres.
See the KCD Agricultural Drainage Program page to learn more about our services. Link to the KCD Facebook page for photos of 2017 drainage projects. |
Agricultural Drainage
Program Coordinator
Position Open
Ben Axt, KCD Agricultural Drainage Program Coordinator for the past two years, recently left to work with King County. We're extremely grateful for his contributions to expanding the program and we're looking for a qualified candidate to fill his position.
The Agricultural Drainage Program Coordinator position requires strong agricultural field drainage maintenance knowledge and experience with construction project management. For details, see the Agricultural Drainage Program Coordinator position announcement on our website. |
Coordinator Wanted
for KCD Landowner
Incentive Program
The King Conservation District provides cost-share funding to support landowners implementing fifteen conservation measures, including livestock fencing, aquatic area buffer planting, manure storage facilities, and forest health management.
The Landowner Incentive Program Coordinator is responsible for managing cost-share applications, administering cost-share contracts, documenting contract compliance, coordinating cost-share policy development, and supervising an assistant. This is an 80% FTE position. See the KCD Employment Opportunities page for details on this and other job openings. |
Land & Water Stewardship
Series Continues
in Issaquah
The final two free workshops in this fall's KCD Land & Water Stewardship Series are Manure Management, November 2, and Pasture Management, November 9, from 6:15 to 8:45 PM at the Issaquah Library. |
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Farm Tour: Get Ready
for a Mud-Free Winter
November 4th, Redmond
Join us for a free tour with Alayne Blickle of Horses for Clean Water to learn how Maple Ridge Farm, a five acre property with five horses, outlawed mud. See uniquely styled sheds with paddock footing consisting of stall mats, gravel, and sand. All manure is composted and used on site—bedding is even composted and re-used. See a beautiful outdoor dressage area with (almost) all-weather footing.
Click HERE for details and online pre-registration. |
2018 Envirothon Training
November 4th, Woodinville
The Envirothon is North America's leading environmental education competition. High school students and teachers are encouraged to form teams to participate in next year's event.
As a starting point, KCD and Snohomish Conservation District will host a free training on this year’s environmental topic, Western Rangeland Management. The event is 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM this Saturday, November 4, at the Brightwater Education Center near Woodinville. Click HERE for details. |
Beautify & Care for
Stream & Wetland Properties
November 15th, West Seattle
November 28th, Covington
Learn how to protect and beautify properties along streams, lakes and wetlands at our free workshops in West Seattle & Covington. Topics will include reducing runoff, controlling invasive weeds, utilizing native plants, and understanding environmental regulations impacting your property.
November 15th, West Seattle Nursery
November 28th, Covington |
Deadhorse Canyon
Planting Day
November 18th, Seattle
KCD is partnering with the Green Seattle Partnership and Trees for Seattle to engage residents in forest restoration. Three property owners immediately adjacent to Lakeridge Park (aka Deadhorse Canyon) are demonstrating backyard stewardship practices and volunteers are working with them through the fall and winter.
Join us for a planting party from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 18th. For details CLICK HERE. |
Like Us on Facebook!
Link with our Facebook page to keep up with the latest news from King Conservation District. |
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