How do you solve a problem like achieving net-zero energy use? If you’re the King County Parks team working at the North Utilities Trails Crew Shop near Marymoor Park, you do it through solar panels, new lights and efficient heat pumps and air conditioners. By utilizing these tools they were able to solve the design … More Achieving net-zero at King County Parks North Utilities Crew Shop
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) met the goal of changing the light systems in all of DNRP’s buildings and facilities to energy-saving LEDs this year – a few months earlier than expected. This is a remarkable achievement and is part of our long-term goal of zero-net energy at our facilities and … More Leading with LED to save energy and money
The holiday season is a great time to give. Why not go green and give back to our planet. Here are some ideas for greening up your holiday. … More Go green for the holiday
Whether you’re roasting a Charles Dickens style goose or a tofurky, keep the holiday grease out of the drain. We know we sound like Scrooges—but the buildup of fats, oils and grease is a major problem for home plumbing as well as our regional sewer system. Here’s a video for holiday stormwater pollution prevention inspiration: Environmental … More Holiday grease disposal
Living Well Kent, Northwest Harvest, and King Conservation District are partnering to transform a dormant farm in the Auburn area into a thriving agriculture enterprise that will bring quality farm land and valuable farm infrastructure back into production. … More Auburn farm collaboration bringing fresh food to South King County
Each fall, salmon make a long, remarkable trek to spawn in streams and rivers across the Puget Sound region. There are dozens of salmon-viewing events scheduled from September into December that likely offer the best chances of seeing salmon – particularly during a year when many stocks are returning in below-average numbers. Some salmon-viewing opportunities … More Salmon SEEson photo contest
Across the street from a grassy private lot fenced off with razor wire, kids play tag in a gray concrete Tukwila parking lot, sometimes dodging honking cars and making the apartment manager nervous about his liability. The closest park playground is a hot 20-minute summer walk from the apartment building along busy arterials. These kids … More Green space for all: King County moves to speed up open space investments and improve access
To highlight Farmers Market week – King County is celebrating all that is farm-fresh and local with a photo contest and giving away some nice swag. Send in a picture of your favorite farmers market or one of your favorite locally-produced foods to be entered to win a limited edition CHOMP! trucker hat and bag. … More Celebrating Farmers Market Week in King County
Marta the River Otter, King County’s newest water safety advocate, is back in schools this spring reminding King County students about water safety. Last week, she visited second graders from Hazelwood Elementary in New Castle. Like many of us, Marta is eager to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Marta knows rivers because they … More Marta the River Otter is back in schools with the message, ‘wear a lifejacket’
Half a million King County residents don’t have easy access to a park, trail or to green space. Think about that for a minute. View the Land Conservation Initiative Story Map In a county world-renowned for its amazing outdoor possibilities – its Cascade Mountains, mighty forestlands, lush farmlands providing local food, salmon-bearing streams and rivers, … More King County Land Conservation Initiative: 65,000 acres to sustain us