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 August 15, 2024
Lake Washington sediment study shows decline in harmful chemicals, offering a roadmap to address newer health risks
layers at the bottom of Lake Washington found levels of PCBs dramatically declined once the widely used toxics were banned more than 50 years ago. Their findings reaffirm the effectiveness of regulations and personal actions and offer a strategy for addressing emerging environmental threats, including stormwater pollution.
They collected samples from the core of Lake Washington, capturing more than 150 years of local history. The study conducted by scientists aboard our research vessel, SoundGuardian, also showed how the techniques for collecting and analyzing samples could be used in other research to detect human-caused change in environmental conditions.
Five years after Executive Constantine made King County the nation’s first local government to offer a certified carbon credit program that protects both urban and rural forests, the initiative is producing lasting results for people, salmon, and wildlife.
We have so far generated about 65,000 carbon credits, providing $850,000 for forest preservation. The first two companies to purchase independently-verified carbon credits from King County – Microsoft and Kirkland-based Fishermen’s Finest – have been followed by a wide range of public and private organizations, including Seattle University, Forsake outdoor footwear, and Major League Baseball to offset the 2023 All-Star Game hosted in Seattle.
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Enjoy tasty food, live music, family fun at CHOMP! on Aug. 17
Get ready for a full day of great music and delicious food at CHOMP! 🎶
Join us Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marymoor Park for live music, fresh local foods, and celebrating sustainable living in King County!
Learn more at www.chomplocal.org
Creating new, enhanced greenspaces as King County experiences more extreme heat
King County Parks’ Glendale Forest was featured in The Seattle Times coverage of King County’s first Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy as a successful model for creating new and enhanced greenspaces where more people and families in urban heat islands can stay healthy and cool during dangerous heat waves.
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How a wastewater treatment plant is feeding local families
It may seem like an unusual partnership, but the collaboration between King County's South Treatment Plant and the White Center Food Bank has been a remarkable success for nearly a decade.
The CitySoil demonstration farm, located at the treatment plant in Renton, has produced over 15 tons of fresh produce, all of which has been donated to local families in need. Every year, members of the White Center Food Bank meet with City Soil to plan what crops to grow. This season, City Soil has harvested hundreds of pounds of Thai basil, daikon radishes, tomatillos, Roma variety tomatoes, and Kuri squash, culturally relevant foods for the families that the White Center Food Bank serves.
The farm serves as an educational hub, showcasing the sustainable use of recycled water and Loop® biosolids in food production. Learn more about this unique initiative in our latest blog post.
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King County lifeguards honored for saving the life of a young swimmer
King County Aquatic Center lifeguards were recently recognized by the King County Council for saving the life of a young athlete during a recent swim competition. Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer praised the preparedness, teamwork, and quick-thinking of all the employees who helped in the rescue.
Thank you to all the lifeguards, employees, and first responders for your lifesaving actions!
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Track our progress with an updated interactive map of our work
 We invite you to track the progress our employees and partners make throughout King County with our updated interactive map, Tracks!
Social media spotlight
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They are so bold and brat🦫 the original civil engineers!
If you encounter paywalls or articles requiring a subscription, Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System offer ways to read magazines and newspapers with a library account.
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Contrary to popular belief, brown grass in summer isn’t dead
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