What's New in the Snoqualmie Watershed
In this edition...
Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th!
The Snoqualmie Tribe and the Mount Si High Green Team invite you to their annual Earth Day event! Join them on Earth Day, Saturday April 20th, from 9am to 2pm at Kimball Slough (across from Mt. Si High School) for Ecological Restoration Activities, talks from local environmental organizations, and an all-around community gathering to celebrate our collective home, EARTH! Restoration activities will include planting, pulling weeds, mulching and connecting with our local landscape. We will also be hosting local environmental organizations to talk about their work in the Snoqualmie Valley, lead wildlife tours, share their projects, and generally connect with the community. Come learn how you can contribute to a healthier, happier Snoqualmie Valley for all who call this place (and Earth) home. View the website for more information and to RSVP. Parking will be available at Mount Si High School in the uncovered parking lots at 8651 Meadowbrook Way SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. From there, cross the street towards the tennis courts and follow the “Community Volunteer Event” signs to the Kimball Slough restoration project area. We will be meeting and starting the event in the field just outside the restoration area.
Are Coho Dying from Polluted Runoff in Snohomish Basin Streams?
After 4 seasons surveying coho in their spawning streams around the Snohomish Basin since 2020, very little evidence that road runoff is causing large die-offs of coho was found. Over 2,000 coho carcasses were sampled in 57 stream segments, and only 7 females appeared to have died from suspected contamination before they had a chance to lay their eggs. More research is needed to better understand how and where pollution in road runoff is causing problems for salmon. Various agencies are researching how to sample water for 6PPD-quinone, the chemical produced by car tires that is responsible for coho deaths. For more information, see the final report or the fact sheet, or email Norah Kates.
Community Action Training School
Are you ready to make real changes in your watershed? Do you feel more knowledge on key environmental issues would allow you to focus your passions on salmon, orca, or ecosystem protection and restoration? The Community Action Training School is the place for you! This course seeks to empower community members to be effective at making the change they want to see in the world. This FREE program provides a robust series of classes on important scientific issues including watershed health, clean water, native plants, salmon habitat and population restoration, and more. The program administrators support attendees in designing and implementing stewardship action projects in their communities through virtual classes and in-person field trips.
Learn more and register by May 1.
Flood Monitoring in Snoqualmie Valley
 |
Regina Fletcher, Field Scientist with Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance (SVPA) is excited to announce the launch of a flood monitoring phone app version of the SVPA flood monitoring system. The Floodzilla Gauge Network monitors water levels throughout the Snoqualmie Valley, relying on a series of SVPA gauges placed in strategic locations to monitor water levels in drainage ditches, farm fields, on public roads, and on the mainstem of the Snoqualmie River. The gauges are programmed to read and transmit water level data every 15 minutes during flood season, from October through May. SVPA recently added a new gauge near River Mile 18 at a historically rich farming site called Stuart Landing. Jutting out as a peninsula in the dynamic floodplain, this site experiences ups and downs from changes in water height throughout the year. Floods can bring nutrient-rich soil renewal yet also pose many safety risks. Data provided at this new gauge site supports community members using the area to work, live, and recreate safely in a floodplain. For more information, contact Regina Fletcher, SVPA Field Scientist at (425) 479-0316..
Introducing Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance’s New BeaverWise Program
BeaverWise is a newly developed program designed to help local farmers and land managers of the Snoqualmie Valley navigate beaver-related issues on their property. Beavers are making a comeback throughout the valley and farmers are struggling with how to address beaver-related flooding. Luckily, there are science-based solutions that can help! However, each site is unique and there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to beaver-related problems. SVPA hopes to build relationships with Tribes and other partnering organizations to develop sustainable, long-term management practices to promote coexistence with beavers. For more information visit the website.
Changing Ourselves through Salmon Habitat Restoration: An Intergenerational, Interracial Watershed Enhancement Project
Continuing its efforts at salmon habitat restoration on the Little Soos Creek in the Green/Duwamish watershed, the Institute for Community Leadership trains high school students who then teach local elementary school students about the importance of water quality. Students of both ages learn to measure water quality using basic scientific measurements such as pH value, temperature, and width and height of the stream. High school students experience personal transformation through leadership and teaching, while elementary school students learn the importance of hands-on work in the creek to appreciate their outdoor environment. For more information or to volunteer, please contact our Program Director, Dr. Nyla Rosen or call 253-508-3250.
Sustainability Ambassadors Features New Salmon Stewardship Lesson
Sustainability Ambassadors has been partnering with WRIA 9 school districts to create a collection of Salmon Stewardship Lesson Plans that support critical thinking and problem solving in middle school and high school science and social studies classrooms. We want to bring the same to WRIA 7! Email Peter Donaldson with questions, insights, or new connections. The first lesson in our collection is titled, "Are Salmon and People Thriving at My Watershed Address?" Students break down this question through an exploration of salmon survival data, equity demographics, and a broad map inquiry using My Watershed Address to stretch their geographic literacy as they learn to care for their part of the watershed. See the full Collection of Lessons and help us generate more connections to teachers and school administrators you know in your jurisdiction.
2024 Flood Reduction Grants
On April 8, the King County Flood Control District will open its call for $12 Million in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding. These grants are for small and medium local flood reduction projects that address existing or potential flooding. Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, schools, non-profits, tribes, cities and towns, and King County agencies. Join the informational session April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. Applications are due May 31. Learn more and apply. Translated information will be included soon.
Rebates Available for Septic System Maintenance and Side Sewer Repairs
 |
King County wants to help you make sure your wastewater system is functioning properly to protect your family, your property, and the environment. King County is now offering rebates for qualifying septic system maintenance and side sewer repair activities. The septic system maintenance rebate covers up to $500 for the system inspection, pumping, or riser installation. The side sewer repair rebate provides up to $5,000 for any repairs to reduce rainwater infiltration into your side sewer system. The side sewer repair rebate is available for eligible homes in the Lakehaven and Midway Sewer Districts. The septic system rebate is available throughout King County, with more rebates available to properties on Vashon-Maury Island and within the Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District. There is also an income eligibility requirement for properties in King County, outside of Vashon-Maury Island and the Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District. To learn more and apply for the rebate, visit www.kingcounty.gov/picrebates.
Jobs and Job Training
2024 Crew Member Jobs with Stewardship Partners
Stewardship Partners is hiring! Several full-time Habitat Restoration crew member positions are available. This is a great entry-level position on a conservation crew that has been serving the Snoqualmie Valley for over 20 years. Most competitive applicants are from the Snoqualmie Valley and have experience in environmental restoration, riparian restoration, green infrastructure feature installation, or volunteer management and love working outdoors in all kinds of weather. To apply: send inquiries and resumes to Chris LaPointe, Director of Ecological Restoration or call 206-292-9875.
Restoration for All – Bilingual Program Now Recruiting Students
The Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) is currently recruiting students to enroll in Restoration for All, a bilingual program designed to employ Indigenous science in the training of a Spanish speaking workforce in salmon habitat restoration. This program is part of NOAA Restoration Center’s Grant Program for Underserved Communities. It offers an opportunity to advance advocacy and climate justice for local communities of color in Snohomish County. Edmonds College, LETI, and the Snohomish Conservation District intend to use this grant opportunity to educate and prepare communities of color for careers in environmental restoration. The NOAA grant covers the tuition, fees, and a paid internship for Spanish speakers. Students are invited to apply for spring quarter. Reach out to Mika@letiwa.org for more information and to apply.
Restauración para Todos – El Programa Bilingue esta Reclutando Estudiantes Ahora
El Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) (Instituto de entrenamiento educativo latino) está actualmente reclutando estudiantes para inscribirse en “Restauración para Todos”, un programa bilingüe diseñado para emplear la ciencia indígena en la formación de mano de obra de habla hispana en la restauración del hábitat del salmón. Este programa forma parte del Programa de Subvenciones para Comunidades Subatendidas del Centro de Restauración de la NOAA. Ofrece una oportunidad para avanzar en la defensa y la justicia climática para las comunidades locales de color en el condado de Snohomish. Edmonds College, LETI, y el Distrito de Conservación de Snohomish tienen la intención de utilizar esta oportunidad de subvención para educar y preparar a las comunidades de color para las carreras en la restauración del medio ambiente. La subvención de la NOAA cubre la matrícula, las tasas y unas prácticas remuneradas para hispanohablantes. Se invita a los estudiantes a presentar su solicitud para el trimestre de primavera. Póngase en contacto con Mika@letiwa.org para obtener más información y presentar su solicitud.
 |
King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps
King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps (www.kcpyouthcorps.org) is offering 16 incredible paid student internship opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on experience in environmental leadership, restoration practices, and completing group and individual projects. This is a six-week program that runs from Monday, July 8 — Thursday, August 15, 2024. More information and a link to the application can be found at www.kcpyouthcorps.org. Applications are due by April 21, 2024. The website includes helpful tips for the application.
Salmon and Orca in the News
King County study shows promising results for a new stormwater treatment option that can reduce fish mortality — King County DNRP Blog
How one river in south Puget Sound tells the story of salmon’s plight — The Seattle Times
Why Massive Numbers of Farmed Salmon Are Dying — TIME
Orcas that hunt sperm whales may be new population, say UBC scientists — Vancouver Sun
Oregon lists southern resident orcas as endangered species — OPB
2024 Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announced — Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Hundreds of thousands of juvenile Chinook salmon die in Klamath River while moving through dam - OPB
Cracking the Code: Scientists Use DNA to Examine Differences between Hatchery and Wild Chinook Salmon in Southeast Alaska — NOAA Fisheries
And, as always, remember that the beautiful "From Mt. Si to Wild Sky" watershed posters – featuring the photography of talented Valley residents – are available FREE from Renee Leichliter or by calling 206-848-0836.
|
