Chair Joan Smith thanked the Natural Resources Committee for meeting on March 7. She introduced Molly Beeman, the Snohomish County Energy and Sustainability Manager within the Natural Resources and Stormwater Department. Molly is currently working on a community-wide Climate Resiliency Plan and events for Earth Day. She offered to return to ask for feedback on that plan. Molly then introduced Jay Trevor-Brown, the team leader for the Healthy Forest Project.
Jay presented an overview of the Healthy Forest Program, a pilot initiative aimed at stewarding 935 acres of Snohomish County's forested area. The program focuses on removing invasive species, reintroducing native plants, and engaging communities in forest restoration efforts. Some of the 2024 program’s achievements included working with 492 volunteers, preserving 1.68 new acres, and partnering with various interested organizations. For 2025, the program aims to preserve three new acres, recruit more forest stewards, and host additional restoration events. Jay highlighted recent restoration work at Kayak Point and Picnic Point Parks, showing before and after photos of areas where invasive species were removed and native plants were introduced to combat erosion. While the Parks staff tends the 900+ acres, Jay’s role is to oversee and generate volunteer involvement. Jay explained how switching to a new sign-up website has improved local participation. They are following a Green Cities Model that aims to maintain and improve the public’s health.
Both Jay and Molly discussed efforts to secure funding for projects, including grants and potential partnerships. Molly shared that they recently secured a grant for stormwater restoration at the Evergreen State Fair Grounds that was funded through the Parks Department. This effort is set to continue until 2026. She also praised their funding coordinator, Eric Smith, who did an excellent job in securing the grant. The Committee gave KUDOS to Molly and Jay for their work.
REPORTS:
Urban Tree Canopy/Mature Forests - Cathy Scott and Carol McMahon shared that the entire Council had sent a letter to DNR and Public Lands Supervisor David Upthegrove requesting that acreage at Stilly Revisited be preserved and another parcel be considered in its place.
Transportation – Joan mentioned that the legislative trend is to delay the requests for hybrid ferries and put conventional ones back on the routes. Governor Ferguson favors this plan as more economical with the looming budget deficit. Lael White is optimistic about rail support for the cities.
Sierra Club/Electrification – Julie Martinson praised efforts described in the Sierra Club newsletter! Joan said that Nancy Johnson had sent information on the upcoming “Kicking Gas” Wednesday meetings.
Lights for Democracy on March 4th – Cathy enthused about the effort led by Rick Steves in downtown Edmonds, with 300 or more people participating. Joan said she led a small event in her Woodsound neighborhood. Julie spoke about two that took place in downtown Everett.
Joan suggested the novel
The Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers for a look at the pressures of change when a town is growing and needs a new reservoir.
NEXT MEETING: April 18, 10 A.M. by ZOOM. Guest Speakers include Sheri Miller from SnoPUD’s TREE POWER program and Eliza Aronson, environmental reporter for the
Everett Herald.