King County stewardship grants help local groups protect, strengthen natural resources

From restoring native oyster populations on tidelands, to using reclaimed wastewater to enhance valuable wetlands, King County's environmental stewardship grant funds are helping to protect the environment, promote environmental education and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

"This year, King County's $243,000 in grant funding will be used to leverage almost $1.25 million in additional funding for this important work," said County Executive Ron Sims. "These are the kinds of partnerships that truly make a difference in preserving and improving our natural heritage."

King County has awarded 10 grants totaling $243,000 to local groups, governments and organizations to help fund important natural resources projects. Grant amounts range from slightly more than $5,000 to $50,000 during the first of two rounds of grants for 2006.

Environmental Stewardship Grant Funds recipients for the first round of awards are:

City of Issaquah
$25,000
Sycamore Restoration Project - Phase Two

The Sycamore Restoration Project - Phase Two is designed to improve aquatic and riparian habitat in Issaquah Creek in the city of Issaquah. The proposed project includes placing large woody debris in the creek, work to improve side channel habitat, removing invasive plant species and replanting disturbed areas with native vegetation.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
$21,800
Vashon Island and Eastern Puget Sound Native Oyster Restoration Project

Olympia oysters are the only native oyster to Puget Sound and the Pacific coast. These oysters were nearly wiped out by over-harvest, pollution and habitat alteration, but they are now making a comeback, thanks to active restoration efforts. By re-establishing native oysters in their former and remnant habitats, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and Puget Sound Restoration Fund will help save a native species, improve salmon habitat and restore balance to the nearshore ecosystem.

City of Redmond
$40,000
Salmon-friendly water conservation demonstration garden

The City of Redmond will build a salmon-friendly water conservation demonstration garden with arbor and a "green" roof along the Sammamish River. Staff and volunteers will use the project as a learning tool to help educate visitors about the importance of their impact on the river, groundwater and salmon recovery, and instill a sense of stewardship to take care of the environment

White Center Community Development Association
$5,060
White Center Regional Pond Planting – Cells Two and Three

In partnership with the King County Water and Land Resources Division, King County Conservation District and Highline School District, the White Center Regional Pond will be re-vegetated with native plants to enhance the water quality function of the pond, encourage wildlife and provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape feature for the community. Project proponents hope the work will promote pedestrian use of the pond trails and access the Greenbridge development.

Ducks Unlimited
$30,000
Chinook Bend Wetland Enhancement

Ducks Unlimited is partnering with King County's Wastewater Treatment Division at Chinook Bend on the Snoqualmie River to demonstrate how wetlands can be restored and enhanced using reclaimed water. The project will be beneficial for amphibians, birds and other aquatic and terrestrial species, and provide a community amenity for education and recreation.

City of Kent
$21,500
Clark Lake outlet stream restoration - Phase Four

This project will be the final piece in a long-term effort to restore the stream and re-establish healthy habitat both in and alongside a salmon-bearing stream that is in private ownership. This stream has been degraded by invasive plants that have left it impassable and unusual to salmon, which can be found farther downstream. Volunteers will construct a new, fish-friendly channel that includes native vegetation.

City of Kirkland
$10,000
Green Kirkland - Urban Community Forest Restoration

The City of Kirkland has received a Wild Places in City Spaces grant to develop a community stewardship program that will implement the "Green Kirkland Urban Community Forest Restoration Project." Community members will receive hands-on training and education in urban forest restoration techniques that will be applied to the restoration of Kirkland's forested parklands over the next 20 years.

Friends of Madrona Wood
$50,000
Madrona Park Creek Daylighting and Restoration - Phase One

This project will restore and daylight Madrona Park Creek, a quarter-mile-long stream that flows from Madrona Park ravine into Lake Washington. This specific grant request will help fund phase two construction, the creek's reconnection to Lake Washington, which will include creation of nearshore habitat and a freshwater pocket estuary to provide salmon habitat. Improvements will include pedestrian access and approximately three acres of native plant re-vegetation in Madrona Park. Design, construction, maintenance and monitoring will involve community volunteers and local school children.

Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Alliance
$20,000

This riparian restoration project will provide improved habitat for migrating salmonids and create a protective barrier from the shoreline to the upland forest for birds.

YMCA of Greater Seattle - Metrocenter Branch
$20,000

In this "Students Today, Stewards Tomorrow" project, YMCA Earth Service Corps students will deepen their knowledge of the Puget Sound environment through planning and carrying out restoration service projects throughout the region with particular focus in the Thornton Creek, Cavanaugh Ponds and Longfellow Creek areas. Additionally, key youth leaders will plan a full-day environmental symposium for 70 to 80 young people and their advisors to take place in early February 2007. Emphasis will be placed on long term environmental sustainability and will encourage a lifetime of environmental stewardship.

Round 2 proposals are due by Oct. 1. Applicants can request amounts up to $50,000 to restore water-dependent habitats. Grants up to $10,000 are available to restore native upland habitat. Projects can be located anywhere in King County and in Snohomish County watersheds draining into Lake Washington. Applicants can include schools, municipalities and community-based organizations.

Last year 84 grantees received more than $1 million in award money funding for their innovative projects through the King County Exchange programs. For more information, visit the Grant Exchange Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/grants.htm or contact Ken Pritchard at 206-296-8265.