Cover Crop Seed Giveaway
Begins August 1
Cover cropping is a great way to ensure that the hard work of developing healthy soil continues during the winter months. Beginning August 1, KCD is offering FREE cover crop seed to King County backyard gardeners who have had their soil tested.
Stop by KCD’s office at 1107 SW Grady Way, Suite 130 in Renton, between 8:30 AM and 5 PM, to pick up your package of cover crop seed or visit us at one of the following farmers markets during the month of August, or go online to kingcd.org for more information and pickup dates.
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Immigrant Farmers Bringing
More Healthy Food to
South King County
Through a collaboration between Living Well Kent, Northwest Harvest and KCD, a group of immigrant farmers is breathing new life back into one of eight sprawling greenhouses that have sat dormant for a decade in Auburn. The farmers are growing varieties of indigenous African vegetables, the newest superfoods, providing food not just for their families but for their communities as well. Produce is being sold at the Living Well Kent Farmers Market held the last Friday of each month at Morril Meadows Park in Kent. Additional fresh produce from the Wakulima Farmers Greenhouse Project is also distributed to food banks in South King County.
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 InterIM Community Development Association Holds Chinatown Jamboree for Seniors
InterIm Community Development Association (InterIM CDA) recently held the Chinatown International District Jamboree event for elders in the community. Cultures represented included Thai, Malaya and Chinese. The event was organized and led by InterIm CDA’s WILD Youth Program and students spoke in Cantonese to the elders describing the evening’s events. For the first time ever, KCD was acknowledged for its support in Cantonese!
InterIM CDA was awarded a $75,000 grant which funds environmental education activities for a cohort of the WILD Program. Four cohorts of youth of color will develop environmental stewardship skills and engage in direct environmental improvement through field trips, invasive weed removal and tree planting. Participants will engage in culturally-responsive environmental projects in both urban and rural settings including campaigns to raise awareness about stormwater runoff, local food systems, urban shoreline restoration and increasing recycling in the International District.
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KCD Brings
Stormwater Education to
Elementary Students
KCD partnered with the City of Newcastle this past school year to deliver stormwater education to Newcastle's elementary students. In total, 617 students in kindergarten through fourth grade were engaged in lessons focused on stormwater pollution sources, water conservation, and land & water protection.
Through contracted services, KCD partners with cities to deliver education in local schools. To learn more about this program visit http://kingcd.org/get-involved/education-workshops/k-12-stormwater-education/. |
KCD Engages Fair Goers
KCD was thrilled to table the 156th King County Fair. Over four days, we engaged several thousand people, discussing conservation, sharing KCD services and raising awareness about our native pollinators. Thank you to our partners at the fair: Washington State Department of Ecology, King County Noxious Weeds, King-Pierce Farm Bureau, Green River Coalition, and Puget Sound Energy.
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KCD Presents Annual Report
to Metropolitan
King County Committee
KCD presented our annual report before the Planning, Rural Service, and Environment subcommittee of the Metropolitan King County Committee (MKCC) on July 17. Every year, KCD updates the MKCC on our program of work, including accomplishments from the last year, and previews of the upcoming one. The committee commented that it appreciates the level of professionalism and organization KCD brings to its work. KCD's Advisory Committee Chair John Stokes and Vice-Chair Brenda Fincher delivered the report. You can find KCD's annual report on our website at kingcd.org/about/annual-report/.
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KCD Invited to Speak
at WRIA 8 Salmon
Recovery Council
KCD was invited to present to the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council. The Council oversees implementation of the science-based Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan in the Lake Washington-Cedar-Sammamish Watershed. KCD Interagency Director Brandy Reed gave the presentation, showcasing the many projects and educational offerings KCD provides that enhance our watersheds and promote salmon recovery.
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 Calendar of Events
August 2: Better Ground Ambassador Orientation, Renton
Train to represent KCD at events like the King County Fair, Vashon Sheepdog Classic or CHOMP Food Festival (training held monthly).
August 2: KCD Twilight Tour Stream Walk, Issaquah
Learn how using native plants can revitalize areas once taken over by invasive weeds.
August 4: FauntNeau Work Party, Seattle
Help spruce up the landscape near Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Juneau St.
August 4: Seattle Summer Cleanup - Salmon Bay, Seattle
Join other kayakers to help clean up Salmon Bay and the Ship Canal.
August 4: Duwamish River Puget Sound Stewardship Volunteer Day, Seattle
Help clean up and restore native plants along the Duwamish River.
August 4: YMCA Camp Terry Ivy Removal, Preston
Help remove invasive ivy and improve habitat for the Chinook salmon in the Raging River.
August 7: Permaculture and Pollinators, Woodinville
Learn the importance of and how to support long-term pollinator health.
August 8: Twilight Tour at Longfellow Creek, Seattle
Learn techniques for managing weeds, selecting the right plants and attracting wildlife your property.
August 11: Pollinator Meadow Seeding at Sonju Orchard, Des Moines
Learn more about native pollinators and habitats that supports them!
August 11, 18 & 25: Plastic Pollution Workshop - Plastic Pollution and Policy, Seattle
Learn about plastic pollution and living a more zero waste lifestyle.
August 14: Save the Sound Summer Fundraiser, Seattle
Join Soundkeeper at this special summer event to benefit clean water!
August 16: KCD Twilight Tour Stream Walk, Bothell
Learn how using native plants can revitalize areas once taken over by invasive weeds.
August 16: Beautify & Care for Your Streamside Property Workshop, Bothell
Learn ways to support wildlife, enhance property aesthetics and reduce maintenance.
August 18: Forterra Snoqualmie Ridge Bog Work Day, Snoqualmie
Help remove invasive plants and restore native habitat to this old growth forest and bog.
August 18: Restoration at Confluence Park, Issaquah
Help create habitat for salmon along Issaquah Creek.
August 19: Track Paddocks and Slow Feeders for Horses, Issaquah
Learn ways to keep horses healthy and mentally stimulated.
August 23: Capitol Hill Tree Walk, Seattle
Learn about the origins and functionality of trees in Seattle’s urban canopy.
August 25: Forterra Dig In at Juel Community Park, Redmond
Help kick off restoration work and remove invasive plants.
August 30: Forterra Redmond Watershed Trail Walk & Work Party, Redmond
Join a forest specialist/naturalist to learn about restoration work in this 800 acre resource.
September 5 to October 5: WSU Forest Stewardship Coached Planning, Carnation
Learn how to assess and steward your forest (held Wednesday evenings except first class on September 5).
September 15: 22nd Annual Frog Frolic, Renton
Learn about Shadow Lake Nature Preserve's 5,000-year-old peat moss bog, upland forest and wetland.
September 29: WSU Red Alder Management Workshop, Kent
Learn the challenges and opportunities that red alder presents to landowners.
October 18 & 25 and 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.
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Like Us on Facebook!
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with the latest King Conservation District news. |
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Become a
Better Ground Ambassador
August 2, Renton
Are you interested in going to the King County Fair, farmer’s markets or CHOMP Food Festival? Sign up to volunteer with KCD as a Better Ground Ambassador! Join us for an orientation training on August 2 at 6 PM in Renton. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Twilight Tour Stream Walk
August 2, Issaquah
August 16, Bothell
Ever been curious about what it takes to return your stream to a more natural state and support fish and wildlife habitat, increase property aesthetics, and decrease maintenance needs? Then join us for one of two FREE upcoming Twilight Tours where you’ll see a shoreline restoration project that's using native plants to revitalize an area once taken over by invasive weeds.
Register for a tour near you:
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Permaculture and Pollinators
August 7, Woodinville
Join the Woodinville Permaculture Club and the KCD on Tuesday, August 7, from 7 to 8:30 PM at the 21 Acres Center in Woodinville for this FREE educational event about supporting long-term pollinator health! Learn about the importance of these animals in our ecosystem, the challenges bees and butterflies face, and how you can make a difference in their recovery. Click HERE to register.
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Pollinator Meadow Seeding
at Sonju Orchard
August 11, Des Moines
Join us on Saturday, August 11, from 10 AM to Noon at the Sonju Orchard and Community Garden in Des Moines to learn more about native pollinators and the habitat that supports them! During this event, you can take a short class on the benefits of native pollinators and the process of installing your own pollinator meadow.
After class, you will get the opportunity to spread native flower seeds throughout the orchard. The seeds included are camas, riverbank lupine, columbine and several species of grass. Seeding the orchard will involve mixing the seeds with a broadcasting agent such as sand, and spreading them by hand. This activity should not be very physically taxing. Click HERE to register.
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Plastic Workshop Series
August 11, 18 & 25, Seattle
Can you guess how much trash enters our oceans every year? 8 million metric tons, which is the equivalent to a garbage truck every minute. Join KCD in our first ever Plastic Workshop Series held over three consecutive Saturdays—August 11, 18 and 25 at the Ballard Homestead in Seattle. Learn about the effects of plastic pollution at the global and local level from researchers and experts. See what organizations are doing to stem the problem of plastic pollution, and steps you can take to help. Click HERE to register. |
Track Paddocks and
Slow Feeders for Horses
August 19, Issaquah
Join KCD on Sunday, August 19, from 1 to 3 PM at The Grange Supply in Issaquah for the Track Paddocks and Slow Feeders for Horses class. You will learn the concepts and techniques behind track paddocks designed to keep horses healthy and mentally stimulated. Discover how to set up a track paddock and what to keep in mind when doing so.
Slow-feeders allow for restricted, free-choice feeding over a longer period of time and keep confinement areas interesting for your horses and chore efficient for you! Click HERE to register.
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Forest for the Trees
Crowdsourced Storymap
Artist Katherine Wimble Fox and the South King County Cultural Coalition (SoCoCulture) announced an open call to the public to contribute to a crowd-sourced, online, interactive forest tree map for the Trees Storymap. Participants locate their favorite tree(s) on a map and upload an image and story of their tree(s).
Forest for the Trees is meant to inspire stewardship and awareness of our tree neighbors, attunement to nature, community sharing, and attachment to place. It will also become a record of the social value of trees in South King County communities. Click HERE to contribute to the project and for more information.
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WSU Forest Stewardship
Coached Planning:
A Forestry Class for Landowners
Washington State University's flagship course will teach you how to assess your trees, avoid insect and disease problems, attract wildlife, and take practical steps to keep your forest on track to provide enjoyment and even income for years to come. In this course you will develop your own Forest Stewardship Plan, which brings state recognition as a Stewardship Forest and eligibility for cost-share assistance, and may also qualify you for significant property tax reductions.
Register now for an upcoming session:
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EarthCorps Develops
Puget Sound-Specific Pollinator Guide
EarthCorps has developed a new Native Habitat Restoration Guide of best management practices for the Puget Sound Lowlands. The guide has a wealth of information from site assessment and design to installation techniques and long-term stewardship. The guide is meant to be accessible and helpful whether you’re a backyard gardener or a land manager. Click HERE for more information.
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Looking For a Career in Natural Resource Conservation?
KCD is hiring several full time AmeriCorps member positions including:
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 Thank You to KCD's AmeriCorps Members!
AmeriCorps members Hannah Klein and Maggie Harger joined KCD in February as part of its Summer 2018 Community Agriculture Crew. They’ve spent the last six months flexing their muscles and minds contributing to a variety of projects benefitting communities throughout Puget Sound, including seeding a pollinator meadow at Sonju Park in Des Moines (see announcement above) and developing a black soldier fly incubator for backyard chicken feed. Their work ethic, leadership and enthusiasm has been immeasurable and we wish them much success in their next employment venture!
Crispin Peters has served as KCD’s Volunteer & Restoration Projects Coordinator AmeriCorps Member since September 2017. He coordinated hundreds of volunteers on KCD shoreline restoration projects across King County. We appreciate all of his hard work making projects successful this past year. We greatly value his enthusiasm and dedication and wish him success on his next adventure, serving with the Peace Corps.
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