Sustainability and the Environment

Virtual Repair Café and mini DIY workshops set for May 30

The WSU Snohomish County Extension is sponsoring Virtual Repair Café and mini DIY workshops Saturday, May 30, from 10 – 11 a.m. via ZOOM.us The workshops are open to any and all that are interested in learning how to fix their broken items. There will be five concurrent 20-minute workshops focused on: – How to Fix…

New pumpout stations expand options for boaters

When boaters get out onto the water this boating season, they will find more pumpout stations to help them keep Washington’s waters clean from sewage spillage. Washington’s two newest pumpout stations can be found at Captain’s Landing on Shaw Island in the San Juans and at Seattle Boat Company’s SkyLaunch Marina on Lake Union. The…

Students Saving Salmon honored with Youth Conservation Leader award

The Snohomish County Conservation District has selected Students Saving Salmon — which operates at both Edmonds-Woodway and Meadowdale high schools — as a recipient of the district’s 2019 Youth Conservation Leader award. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 situation, the Conservation District had to cancel its “Better Grounds Showcase” award ceremony where Students Saving Salmon would…

Baby salmon heading to sea

About 6,000 baby salmon were released into Lunds Gulch Creek in Meadowdale Beach Park on Friday for their journey to sea.  These chum salmon fry started as eggs in January from the Suquamish Tribe’s Grover Creek Hatchery that were hatched and fed in tanks at upper Lunds Gulch Creek and at St. Thomas More Parish…

Sponsor spotlight: There is a place for everyone — Take the first step

“People often thank me when I say I’m a climate activist. I think it’s because people have that nagging feeling that climate change is a looming catastrophe, but they haven’t been able to find a way to address it in their own busy lives,” said Nancy Johnson, Sno-Isle Sierra Club Co-Chair, “But in truth, there…

On Earth Day, Mayor Nelson unveils Conservation Advisory Committee

Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson Wednesday announced the formation of the Mayor’s Conservation Advisory Committee, which he says will help fulfill his commitment to preserving the environment and enhancing the quality of life in Edmonds. In a city announcement, Nelson said that the all-volunteer committee, made up of local residents, will advise him on community stewardship…

City on a roll: Earth Day toilet paper tube contest launched

The Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department on Tuesday announced an Earth Day contest that involves re-using your toilet paper tubes. Entries must use toilet paper rolls and items you already have at home, and there is one entry per person. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in the following age…

Snohomish County PUD earns Energy Star Award for Excellence

Snohomish County PUD was recently honored with a 2020 Energy Star Award for Excellence for its promotion efforts in expanding energy-efficiency outreach to hard-to-reach customers and delivering 65,000 Energy Star-certified products to nearly 20,000 households. Energy Star is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing credible and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on…

Council votes to remove firearms restrictions from mayor’s emergency powers; OKs temporary lift of plastic bag ban

At a special Friday afternoon meeting, the Edmonds City Council voted unanimously to remove the mayor’s ability — during an emergency —  to prevent citizens from carrying or possessing firearms. The controversial subsection G provision, contained in the city’s recently amended disaster preparedness ordinance, had been a flashpoint for Second Amendment advocates and had even…

State Legislature approves statewide ban on single-use plastic bags

A bill sponsored by 21st District State Rep. Strom Peterson to ban single-use plastic bags in retail stores statewide has been approved by the Washington State Legislature and is headed to the governor’s desk for signature. Peterson’s bill passed the House on Monday, March 9 after a companion bill in the Senate —  SB 5323— was…

Edmonds CC free recycling event still on for March 7

Edmonds Community College’s free recycling event is still on for this Saturday, March 7, the college says. The college Thursday announced it was canceling all campus events expected to draw more than 50 attendees, due to ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. However, Edmonds CC spokesperson Marisa Pierce said…

Edmonds CC to offer free electronics, paper recycling March 7

Edmonds Community College will offer free electronic and styrofoam recycling, and free paper shredding from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, on campus at 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Follow the signs at the 68th Avenue West and 200th Street S.outhwest entrance. “Mercury, lead, cadmium, and other hazardous and toxic material can be found in…

Edmonds United Methodist wraps up four-week program on climate change

Over 50 members of the community and the Edmonds United Methodist Church just wrapped up four learning sessions led by EUMC Advocates for the Environment committee members. During the first session, Rev. Dick Gibson talked about biblical words that often get misused by the public. One word, “Dominion” — in Genesis 1 — comes from…

Salomon bill aimed at restoring salmon habitat wins state senate approval

A bill aimed at restoring salmon habitat for Puget Sound orcas struggling to find enough food to survive was approved by the Washington State Senate today by a vote of 32-16. SB 6147, sponsored by 32nd District Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), would require the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider less environmentally disruptive alternatives…

Scene in Edmonds: Students bringing back salmon

Members of the Students Saving Salmon club from Meadowdale and Edmonds-Woodway high schools were busy last week with  efforts aimed at eventually populating local creeks with salmon. The students carefully placed more than 4,000 chum salmon eggs in specially designed hatch boxes, which were later installed in Shell and Lund’s Gulch Creeks. The hatch boxes will…

After 38 years, Washington’s emission testing program will end Dec. 31

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Washington’s vehicle emissions check program will end, marking the close of 38 years of emissions testing on cars and trucks in major metropolitan areas. When state licensing offices reopen Jan. 2, emissions tests will no longer be required in order to renew vehicle registrations. Car owners who are scheduled…

Snohomish County PUD to host Holiday Lights Exchange on Dec. 6

Snohomish County PUD is hosting an LED Holiday Lights Exchange from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, in the lobby of its headquarters in downtown Everett. Customers can exchange up to five strands of their working incandescent holiday lights, per household, for the same number of LED holiday lights at no charge. The…

Environmental organizations to host transportation forum in Everett Nov. 21

A coalition of environmental organizations are hosting a transportation forum from 7-8:30 pm. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Snohomish County Public Utility District Commission Meeting Room in Everett, The event is being hosted by Audubon Washington and co-hosted by Sno-Isle Sierra Club, Climate Solutions, 350 Everett, Green Snohomish, Fuse, Faith Action Network, Climate Reality Project and…

Snohomish PUD Recognized as a Smart Energy Provider

Snohomish County PUD recently earned the Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association  for demonstrating commitment and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support a goal of providing low-cost quality, safe and reliable electric service. “We take a lot of pride in the work our Energy Services…

Food service, packaging requirements to change in Edmonds starting Jan. 1, 2020

The City of Edmonds has a reminder for food service businesses in Edmonds: New ordinances governing food packaging requirements will take effect Jan. 1, 2020. As of that date, there will be a city-wide ban on food services businesses offering non-compostable single-use plastic utensils and non-compostable single-use plastic containers to their customers. For more information, go to…

How you can help restore the forest at Edmonds’ Hutt Park

If you’ve visited Hutt Park lately, you’ve probably noticed a remarkable transformation thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers. Gone are the vast swaths of ivy that carpeted the forest and climbed high into the trees. Now visitors to the park can enjoy stunning views of the ancient trees that define the last patch of…

Scene in Edmonds: Coho salmon are back in Shell Creek

Sightings of adult coho salmon in Shell Creek started this last weekend. This marks the start of the annual migration of salmon into the creek to spawn. Students from the Edmonds-Woodway High School’s Students Saving Salmon club were thrilled to observe salmon during their first surveys of the creek last weekend, club advisor Joe Scordino…