South King County - Environmental Activities
South King County is proud of its strong commitment to environmental responsibility. You are invited to spend some time at or renewed website sections and learn more. The mission of the environmental activities is to protect and preserve the critical environmental aspects of the county, to provide the public guidance and assistance in meeting their environmental obligations, and to lead the county into environmental awareness activism and programs.
You’ll find information about county environmental performance and learn more about some new environmental educational programs for better understanding of these issues.
We take environmental responsibilities very seriously. Take the time to learn more about what we are doing to live up to our obligation to protect our environment and fulfill environmental responsibilities.
It is our tradition and our responsibility to lead, rather than follow, and it is in this same spirit that we approach the stewardship of our natural resources.
How can You help?
The following steps can help protect the environment:
• Conserve water when possible. See our water conservation tips
• Proper application of pesticides and fertilizers
• Disconnect any storm or roof drains connected to the sewer system
• Watch further updates on our website
Activities and Volunteer Opportunities
Native Plant Holding Facility
Groups are needed to care for salvaged native trees and shrubs at our holding facility near Sammamish. To schedule a group work party, please contact Cindy Young at
206-296-8065.
Staff an Exhibit
Staff an interactive exhibit about household toxics at fairs and educational events. Contact Gail Gensler at 206-263-3082.
Salmon Watching
Help us learn more about our local salmon and what they need to thrive. Contact Jennifer at 206-263-6533.
Adopt-a-Park & Park Ambassador Programs
These programs provide opportunities for groups or individuals to help maintain King County’s 200 parks and 200 miles of regional trails. For more information please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Clinton at 206-296-4452.
Trail work - With the help of our great partnership with Washington Trails Association, King County will be having volunteer work events throughout the year. Come help us repair and maintain our valuable trail system. Learn what it takes to build new trails. We will be working at Cougar Mt., Taylor Mt. Forest, Grandridge, and O’Grady (Green River Natural Area). Contact www.wta.org to sign up or call 206-625-1367.
Volunteer Naturalists Needed For Cedar River Salmon Journey (July 2008)
Interested in fish? Good with people? Sign up to be a volunteer naturalist on the
Cedar River this fall. Naturalists will receive 20 hours of training from fish and
watershed experts in September and early October. Then they’ll spend three weekend
days along the river, talking to the public about the spawning salmon and the
natural and human history of the Cedar River Watershed.
Sponsors of the program, now entering its eleventh year, include the City of
Seattle, City of Renton, Forum for Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed,
Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, King Conservation District, and U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.
Contact Charlotte Spang at (206) 245-0143, or email her at
naturalists@cedarriver.org, to get an application or find out more information.
More Ecology Events (by Washington State Department of Ecology)
- Puget Sound Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership meets regularly in its quest to develop an aggressive 15-year plan to solve Puget Sound’s most vexing problems. The Partnership is holding a series of general public forums and specific scientific forums throughout the summer and fall. See below for more details.
Environmental Education Teacher Workshops
This is a calendar of workshops, conferences, and other events oriented toward environmental educators.
Hanford Public Involvement Calendar
The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington State Department of Ecology, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offer this monthly calendar to help you keep track of scheduled meetings, public comment opportunities and events related to cleanup efforts at Hanford.
Padilla Bay Public Involvement
See what’s happening at Padilla Bay.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration permits open for public comment
Provide comment on the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits Ecology prepares for new construction and modification projects involving sufficiently large quantities of potential pollutant emissions.
Air Operating Permits Register
The purpose of the Permit Register is to provide information about Air Operating Permits issued by the state’s local air authorities. Public comment periods are listed for each permit.
Site Cleanup Register
The Model Toxics Control Act (Ch. 173-340 WAC) requires Ecology to provide information and opportunities for participation in the cleanup of contaminated sites. The Site Register contains information that alerts the public to the availability of reports, current open public comment periods, upcoming public meetings and events, and other activities related to the study and cleanup of contaminated sites.
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Register
The SEPA Register lists SEPA documents received by Ecology during the last two weeks and older documents whose comment period has not yet closed. The SEPA Register is updated each state business day.
Sustainability Events
Check out the state-wide events for sustainability.
Washington Hydrogeology Symposium
Mark your calendar for the 6th Symposium. Also view and download abstracts from past symposia.
More date scheduled events can be found on the left under “Future Events” calendar or in our Public Involvement Calendar.