Tips, tricks, and a quick peek into the everyday life of the conservation district.
It’s almost winter, which means we’re knee-deep in the middle of the rainy season. In an average year, Snohomish County gets 35 inches of rain, and most of it falls during these next few months.
All of that rain has to go somewhere and much of it becomes stormwater, traveling across the landscape and eventually into Puget Sound.
Read MoreIf you’re an urban resident, it might be hard to believe you can still provide important habitat for wildlife. And if you live in a rural area, the thought of adding plants when you’re surrounded by forest may feel redundant.
Read MoreYes, you read the title correctly. We’ve done almost 40 years of plant sales, and 2024 was the best one yet! If you ordered this year, you were part of almost 2,000 people that… wait for it…. ordered 55,000 plants!
Read MoreIn addition to its three riparian buffers, Polestar Farm is home to upwards of 20 beaver dams, creating a wetland nested within the forest. The slowed water caused by a beaver dam helps keep horse waste and other pollutants from entering the stream quickly, and also recharges groundwater.
Read MoreAdults and children from over six countries gathered at the Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex in Marysville for the fifth annual Orca Recovery Day on October 15. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a guided nature walk, learn about water quality, and plant trees along the Middle Fork Quilceda Creek, which runs through the park. The creek is an important habitat restoration site due to the presence of coho salmon near a high-traffic area. Salmon are a main food source for the Southern Resident orcas.
Read MoreFarmers, fishermen, and families gathered at Hazel Blue Acres on September 8 for the second and final part of our “Tales of Two Rivers” film festival.
“It dawned on me as I was listening to the panel responses last night that we got really lucky in this effort to have such amazing participants,” said Lindsey Desmul, Sustainable Lands Strategy Communications Group co-chair.
Read MoreJoe Crumbley, Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator, covers growing food basics to help you start your summer garden. He talks about the benefits of soil health, mulching and composting, growing seasons, companion planting, and more. Thanks to the City of Lake Stevens for supporting this work in 2022!
Read MoreWe had one of our very own hometown heroes representing Snohomish County at the 2022 Washington State Envirothon competition. The team from Sequoia High School in Everett was one of the winners of the regional competition in March, and they went on to compete at the state competition in May!
Read MoreIt’s no surprise that we get a lot of rain—the Pacific Northwest is a temperate rainforest, after all. How we manage that rain once it hits the ground is important, especially in our region, where we’re experiencing rapid growth. In many places, the pervious soil of forests, farms, and undeveloped land is being replaced with impervious surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots, which can lead to increased flooding and water pollution.
Read MoreIf you’re driving along State Route 530 towards Darrington, you might overlook a quiet creek nestled beneath the mountains. Don’t let its small stature fool you, however. Ashton Creek holds something of immense value: cold water.
Read MoreIn recent years, local interest in community gardens—and the need for them— has increased significantly. Our Urban Agriculture team has been happy to support this growing trend.
Read MoreWe’re called the Evergreen State for a reason— more than half of Washington is forested. Small forest landowners can play a vital role as stewards of this critical resource and they now have access to education and technical assistance from professional foresters, thanks to the Regional Forestry Pilot Program.
Read MoreWinter can be a great time to set ourselves up for success by thinking about our behind-the-scenes helpers—the beneficial birds and insects that make our garden healthier and more productive. The best part is that most of the things these “helpers” need means less work for you now, not just during the growing season.
Read MoreFor our 80th anniversary, we're highlighting some of the amazing staff and partners who we’ve worked with over the years. Our Sound Horsekeeping program wouldn't be what it is today without the support of community members and the horse owners who have been willing to partner with us.
Read MoreSnohomish Conservation District (SCD) has hired a new forester, Stacey Dixon, to help small forest landowners navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with owning forested property.
Dixon assists forest landowners who want to improve their forest’s health, develop timber management plans, and nurture a diverse, healthy ecosystem on their land.
Read MoreSchool's out for the summer! Celebrate with us by looking back at all of the amazing staff and partners that have contributed to our Youth Education program over the years.
Read MoreThere’s so many parts to our Urban Agriculture program, and none of them would work if it weren’t for the amazing organizations and individuals who partner with us. Join us as we celebrate 80 years by looking back on our work with food insecurity in the community.
Read MoreSpring has sprung! We’re continuing to work with partner organizations like the Food Bank Farm to reduce food insecurity in the region by distributing vegetable starts, one of the resources we provide to garden sites that grow food for food banks.
Read MoreThis month, we’re continuing to celebrate 80 years by looking back on our Urban Stormwater program and the many faces who have helped steward it to where it is today.
Read MoreOut of this collaboration, demonstration rain gardens now filter stormwater throughout Mason, Whatcom, Pierce, King, and Skagit counties. But while our staff helped with the installation and offered advice on cluster projects, we also learned a few things in the process from other districts.
“RSAT was about building relationships,” David Jackson, Community Conservation program manager, said.
Read MoreSnohomish Conservation District | 528 91st Ave NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258 | 425-335-5634
