I?ve had the honor to write many end-of-year messages during my career, always appreciating the opportunity to congratulate all the employees and partners who contributed to shared achievements.?

This year?s message is particularly meaningful for me because it is my last. As Executive Constantine recently announced, I will retire early next year, wrapping up 39 years of service at the Department.??

It?s easy ? too easy, in fact ? to feel hopeless at times when you consider the natural environment. We all see news coverage of devastating climate impacts and southern resident orcas struggling to survive in Puget Sound. To be clear, the challenges are immense, and the stakes are high.??

Yet, I am more optimistic than ever about our future. It?s not because I?m na?ve ? it?s because I know from experience that our region has the combined resources, ingenuity, and political will needed to produce inspiring results. I?ve also learned that environmental solutions rarely produce immediate results but will deliver desired outcomes for generations if you remain persistent.?

Here?s a recent example that generated a lot of public interest: Multiple studies conducted by our? scientists indicate that the health of urban streams throughout King County is improving, with 16 of 38 watersheds trending in the right direction and only one declining. We?re now studying what caused water quality to improve over the past 20 years, but it?s almost certainly the result of collective action that includes effective growth management, better management of stormwater and treatment of wastewater, and personal actions by the people of King County.??

It is a hopeful reminder that incremental progress we make today will benefit people, fish, and wildlife for decades to come.???

Another reason for my optimism is our region?s steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. That was demonstrated last year when voters overwhelmingly approved Executive Constantine?s initiative to restore our Conservation Futures Program to its original rate so we can maintain our accelerated pace to protect the last, best 65,000 acres of open space within a single generation. That?s in addition to voters approving the King County Parks Levy by wide margins each time.?

The people of King County have sent a clear, consistent message for decades: They want us to take immediate, lasting action to protect and restore the natural environment that defines our region, and they have provided us with the resources we need to answer the call.??

The final reason I remain hopeful is our proven ability to improve with each passing year. Many of our biggest accomplishments ? in protecting water quality, restoring habitat, reducing waste, increasing access to parks and trails, producing climate solutions, and preserving open space ? have occurred just in the past few years. I invite you to take a moment to see what we achieved together this year.??

I will always be grateful for each of the 2,000 professionals at our Department who made these final years the most rewarding of my entire career, putting us on a path toward an even brighter future.?

To all our current employees and partners, and to all those who guided me throughout my career, thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of King County. It has been, in every way possible, my pleasure.??

Sincerely,?

Christie True?Director, Department of Natural Resources and Parks?