Politics & Government

King Conservation District Voting On Line

This little-known agency helps local landowners do the right thing for the land.

The King Conservation District is conducting a public election for one board of supervisor’s position, and the vote is entirely online. It began Feb. 15 and extends through March 15 at 9 a.m.

The district is an autonomous agency created by the state in 1949 as a natural resource assistance agency to educate and advise landowners on becoming good land stewards, according to Sara Hemphill, executive director of the district. It is funded through a $10 tax, paid by landowners. It covers most of King County with the exception of five cities. Kirkland is a participant in the district.

“We are dedicated to helping folks do the right thing for the land,” Hemphill said. “We work in partnership with landowners to educate then on conservation of soil water, the environment. Then we hope they will pass that knowledge on to someone else.”

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The district's mission is to promoted sustainable use of natural resources through the education of landowners, both private and municipalities. The district is not a regulatory agency, according to Hemphill, and only offers help when called in on a project.

“We are problem solvers. There was a new landowner, from the city who now had their country property and the horses they always wanted. After the first rain, the horses were up to their ankles in mud and muck. We were able to go in and show the landowner how the watershed on that property worked. It ended up with more comfortable horse, a happy landowner, and a better environment.”

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In addition to problem solving for private landowners, the district has a grant program to assist cities and the county. In Woodinville, grants have been awarded to make a map of area wetlands and for stream conservation, according to Jessica Saavedra, grant programs manager for the district.

“We helped fund the city’s storm water master plan and acquisition of habitat for Little Bear Creek,” she said.

Check the district’s website for voting information.


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