In recognition of her tireless work with the Edmonds-Woodway High School Students Saving Salmon group, the Snohomish Conservation District Board of Supervisors will honor EWHS graduate and Western Washington University freshman Rondi Nordal as a 2016 Youth Conservation Leader in a gala ceremony to be held Dec. 1 between 5:30 and 8 p.m. at Mukilteo’s Rosehill Community Center.

The free public event will honor all 2016 Conservation Leaders. If you’d like to attend, SCD requested RSVPs by Wednesday, Nov. 24. However, it’s possible that late registrations can be accommodated.

The conservation district, which is also celebrating its 75th anniversary that evening, promises a festive event filled with uplifting stories, appetizers, door prizes and live music.

An inspirational leader in the EWHS Students Saving Salmon club, Nordal has been a major force in creating opportunities in civic engagement and citizen science to promote conservation and restoration of salmon habitat in Edmonds and in increasing student membership, involvement and dedication to club and its mission (see My Edmonds News article here. She has testified before the Edmonds City Council, Pilchuck Audubon, the Water Resource Inventory Area 8, and led an art project “On the Fence,” which tells the story of Edmonds’ streams, infrastructure, and other factors affecting local salmon runs. Additionally, she coordinated lab analyses and visits with students at North Seattle Community College, and participated in salmon stream water quality monitoring.

In placing Nordal’s name in nomination, Conservation District Education and Outreach Coordinator Laura Goff praised her “dependability, exceptional organization and foresight.” She went on to note Nordal’s “natural desire to educate,” how she “asks questions and listens to people’s views before thoughtfully responding,” and how she is increasingly recognized as “a change agent and an inspiration to our mayor and city council…teachers and so many student supporters of the club. This is a young leader whom we will certainly hear a lot more about in the future.”

Nordal will also be honored by the Edmonds City Council at its Dec. 13 regular meeting, both for her award and her ongoing contributions to the community.

— By Larry Vogel