 Project SeaWolf tree planting
The remarkable natural bounty in Snohomish County is part of what makes this place special. It was a pleasure to celebrate Earth Day early this week by thanking and recognizing some of the many community members who are giving their time to care for our natural spaces.
I joined Project SeaWolf on Monday to talk with a group of elementary school students at an annual tree planting. More than 100 kids worked together to plant more than 1,000 native tree seedlings near North Quil Ceda Creek in Tulalip. They’d been learning about how healthy trees and forests protect habitats for salmon and other wildlife, and then they put their learning into action. This annual effort has been underway for more than 15 years, with more than 17,000 total trees planted at events like this one.
On Earth Day, I joined our Public Works Department to honor Joe Hernandez and his family and friends. They adopted a stretch of South Machias Road through the County’s Adopt-A-Road program and have been cleaning up litter on that roadway for 10 years. They are one of four groups in the county that has been volunteering through the program for more than a decade. These volunteers make our county roadways more beautiful and our land and water healthier by volunteering their time to pick up the litter others leave behind.
 Adopt-A-Road volunteers join Public Works Director and County Executive to pose with new road sign
It was my honor this week to receive the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County and Herald Media.
Each year, EASC and Herald Media recognize business and civic leaders who have helped create a better community or advanced the economic interests of our region. The Henry M. Jackson Award is named for a former U.S. Senator form Everett whose service to the community was exemplary. It is meant to celebrate someone who “drives local, state, and regional initiatives for business, promotes civic, social, and cultural programs, and participates in programs that expand the potential and quality of life in the county.”
I do hope my work over the years in Snohomish County, not only as Executive but as a former County Council member and a current representative for our county on regional boards and initiatives, has strengthened and improved our community. I know there is much work still to be done, but I am proud of the advancement made in bolstering our economy, caring for our natural resources, and building a sustainable and resilient Snohomish County.
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Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed into law a bipartisan bill that clarifies language around open space designations to prevent increased tax bills for working farms that supplement income with agritourism activities.
House Bill 1261 was sponsored by State Representatives Sam Low, April Berg, Strom Peterson, and Greg Nance, and Senators Marko Liias, Mike Chapman, and T'wina Nobles sponsored companion Senate Bill 5479. It was supported by the time and testimony of local leaders, farmers, and advocates right here in Snohomish County. I want to thank everyone who contributed to moving this legislation forward.
Under the new law, which takes effect in July, agritourism activities that are incidental and use less than 20 percent of the land on a working farm would not jeopardize that land’s designation as an open space. This eases the tax burden on farmers and helps preserve the region’s farmland and the sustainability of our local food supply. Examples of agritourism include pumpkin patches, weddings, U-cut activities and farm tours, which represent a small portion of the land use on a farm while providing a supplemental source of income to keep working farms sustainable year-round.
I remain dedicated to supporting our agricultural community, and I am deeply appreciative of the collaborative effort on this legislation, from the sponsors of the bill who advanced it through our legislative process to the farmers and Agricultural Advisory Board members who shared their stories with lawmakers.
More info: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1261&Year=2025&Initiative=false
 House Local Government Committee Members tour a local farm and talk with farmers about the open spaces tax bill during a tour in November 2024
For more than 25 years, Snohomish County has done its March Against Hunger campaign to raise money and collect food for food banks and pantries run by Volunteers of America Western Washington. This year, county employees raised more than $60,000 and donated more than 3,800 pounds of food. They also volunteered 32 hours at the food bank. The money is enough to fund about two months of food at the local food bank.
The fundraiser is a friendly competition among county departments to see who can raise the most, and my congratulations go to the Treasurer’s Office for claiming victory for the sixth year in a row.
Thank you to the event organizers, all the employees who donated, and to our partners at Volunteers of America.
The Snohomish County Office of Social Justice (OSJ) is accepting applications for its Community Investment initiative. The initiative provides up to $5,000 in financial support to organizations working to advance efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is the first funding round in 2025.
Interested organizations can find more information in this notice of funding letter and must complete and submit the application linked here.
Applications must be submitted via email by close of business Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to be considered. Organizations can reach out to OSJ@snoco.org with any questions or to request an alternative application method.
Find more information on this website.
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