 Photo: Vedic Cultural Center
Holi is a Hindu festival observed annually to mark the beginning of spring and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time for people to come together, end conflicts, and repair relationships. Also known as the Festival of Color, it’s a joyful community celebration.
Tomorrow, bring your dancing shoes and come ready to be covered in colors from 12:00pm to 5:00pm (Saturday) at the Redmond City Hall Campus. The event is free, but be sure to register.
Leafline: our region’s new vision for trails
Earlier this week, elected leaders and partners from 60 coalition agencies, businesses and organizations came together to announce support for a shared vision to complete the 900-mile Leafline Trails Network. With about 500 miles already complete, the Leafline Trails Network map paints an exciting future, and also highlights the work ahead to complete the remaining 44% of this expansive trail system intended for biking, walking and rolling around King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
 The new Leafline Trail Network, a 900-mile vision of connected trails across the four-county region
Here in King County, we have been working for years on creating a comprehensive transportation system that includes trails because we know that trails do more than just take us to the places we need to go. As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, trails are gateways to the outdoors and open space and provide access to all the benefits of getting outside and being active. In 2022 alone, King County has been busy expanding on the Leafline Trails Network vision with exciting new projects, including the NE 8th Eastrail Bridge in Bellevue, the soon-to-be-open connection between Kirkland and Woodinville on Eastrail, as well as the final segment of the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
Restoring salmon habitat one high-priority project at a time
 Click on the image above to watch the KCTV video on identifying the best opportunities to remove barriers to salmon habitat
In the past few years, King County has worked with tribes, stakeholders and cities to protect salmon, including District 6’s native Kokanee of Lake Sammamish – our local ‘little red fish.’ Following the completion of a comprehensive three-year study to identify barriers to expanding salmon habitat, King County is now taking an exciting step forward in its effort to restore salmon populations. After inspecting more than 3,000 locations, scientists and engineers have identified 50 restoration projects that can unlock at least half of the currently blocked salmon habitat in King County.
 This work is well-timed to take advantage of the up to $1 billion in federal infrastructure dollars that are targeted to repairing culverts that block salmon passage. In particular, I’m thrilled to see that some of King County’s identified projects could restore and expand critical habitat for the Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon.
Keeping seniors healthy and connected
 A key part of healthy aging is social engagement, which is why the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds programs that keep seniors socially connected. Applications are now being accepted from senior-serving organizations for projects that reduce social isolation and loneliness. If your organization has programs that address challenges faced by seniors experiencing social isolation and loneliness and supports participants in building meaningful social connections, check out the Short-Term Engagement Projects for Seniors funding opportunity. Applications are due by 5:00pm on June 14.
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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