South King County - Environmental Activities
South King County is proud of its strong commitment to environmental responsibility. You are invited to spend some time at or renewed website sections and learn more. The mission of the environmental activities is to protect and preserve the critical environmental aspects of the county, to provide the public guidance and assistance in meeting their environmental obligations, and to lead the county into environmental awareness activism and programs.
You’ll find information about county environmental performance and learn more about some new environmental educational programs for better understanding of these issues.
We take environmental responsibilities very seriously. Take the time to learn more about what we are doing to live up to our obligation to protect our environment and fulfill environmental responsibilities.
It is our tradition and our responsibility to lead, rather than follow, and it is in this same spirit that we approach the stewardship of our natural resources.
How can You help?
The following steps can help protect the environment:
• Conserve water when possible. See our water conservation tips
• Proper application of pesticides and fertilizers
• Disconnect any storm or roof drains connected to the sewer system
• Watch further updates on our website
Activities and Volunteer Opportunities
Native Plant Holding Facility
Groups are needed to care for salvaged native trees and shrubs at our holding facility near Sammamish. To schedule a group work party, please contact Cindy Young at
206-296-8065.
Staff an Exhibit
Staff an interactive exhibit about household toxics at fairs and educational events. Contact Gail Gensler at 206-263-3082.
Salmon Watching
Help us learn more about our local salmon and what they need to thrive. Contact Jennifer at 206-263-6533.
Adopt-a-Park & Park Ambassador Programs
These programs provide opportunities for groups or individuals to help maintain King County’s 200 parks and 200 miles of regional trails. For more information please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Clinton at 206-296-4452.
Trail work - With the help of our great partnership with Washington Trails Association, King County will be having volunteer work events throughout the year. Come help us repair and maintain our valuable trail system. Learn what it takes to build new trails. We will be working at Cougar Mt., Taylor Mt. Forest, Grandridge, and O’Grady (Green River Natural Area). Contact www.wta.org to sign up or call 206-625-1367.
Extension Watershed Stewardship Training Program (March to May 2008)
Course: Extension Watershed Stewardship Training
Date: Fridays 9 am to 4 pm, March 28th to May 16th with three Saturday field trips.
Location: Renton, WA with field trips throughout King County
Apply: Completed applications must be received by February 29th. Call 206.205.3203
for an application or download here: www.king.wsu.edu/enviro/stewardship.htm
Fee: $75 for training materials and some transportation
Extension Watershed Stewards are a group of nearly 300 community-based volunteers
that teach youth and adults how to become better stewards of our region’s unique
environment. Washington State University experts train stewards in forestry, salmon
enhancement, habitat restoration, wetland resources, and much more! In exchange for
over 70 hours of classroom and field training, volunteers commit to giving 60 hours
of their time to a stewardship project of their choice.
What Watershed Stewards learn during training:
•Current salmon recovery efforts in our watersheds and how to get involved
•Hands-on site restoration skills including invasive plant removal techniques
•Examples of low-impact development strategies used in our area
How Watershed Stewards make a difference:
•Lead stream clean-up efforts with Homeowners Association groups
•Teach water conservation and stewardship to Girl Scouts and other youth
•Volunteer with one of our partnering organizations as a leader or educator
•Plus, stewards can participate in opportunities available at WSU Extension events,
create their own projects, and work with municipal governments
Visit the Extension Watershed Stewards website to see spotlights on current steward
projects, learn more about volunteer opportunities and apply today!
Contact: Tara Zimmerman
Phone: 206.205. 3203
Email: tara.zimmerman@kingcounty.gov
More Ecology Events (by Washington State Department of Ecology)
- Puget Sound Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership meets regularly in its quest to develop an aggressive 15-year plan to solve Puget Sound’s most vexing problems. The Partnership is holding a series of general public forums and specific scientific forums throughout the summer and fall. See below for more details.
Environmental Education Teacher Workshops
This is a calendar of workshops, conferences, and other events oriented toward environmental educators.
Hanford Public Involvement Calendar
The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington State Department of Ecology, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offer this monthly calendar to help you keep track of scheduled meetings, public comment opportunities and events related to cleanup efforts at Hanford.
Padilla Bay Public Involvement
See what’s happening at Padilla Bay.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration permits open for public comment
Provide comment on the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits Ecology prepares for new construction and modification projects involving sufficiently large quantities of potential pollutant emissions.
Air Operating Permits Register
The purpose of the Permit Register is to provide information about Air Operating Permits issued by the state’s local air authorities. Public comment periods are listed for each permit.
Site Cleanup Register
The Model Toxics Control Act (Ch. 173-340 WAC) requires Ecology to provide information and opportunities for participation in the cleanup of contaminated sites. The Site Register contains information that alerts the public to the availability of reports, current open public comment periods, upcoming public meetings and events, and other activities related to the study and cleanup of contaminated sites.
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Register
The SEPA Register lists SEPA documents received by Ecology during the last two weeks and older documents whose comment period has not yet closed. The SEPA Register is updated each state business day.
Sustainability Events
Check out the state-wide events for sustainability.
Washington Hydrogeology Symposium
Mark your calendar for the 6th Symposium. Also view and download abstracts from past symposia.
More date scheduled events can be found on the left under “Future Events” calendar or in our Public Involvement Calendar.