October 26, 2022
 Amid promising signs of strong returns for native kokanee salmon, a partnership coordinated by King County released young fish into the middle of Lake Sammamish at sunset. The salmon are among those raised at an Orcas Island hatchery and flown back to the Lake Sammamish watershed earlier this year.
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks joined community partners to celebrate the release of native kokanee salmon into Lake Sammamish earlier this month. These are some of the same salmon we flew back from an Orcas Island hatchery earlier this year as fertilized eggs. By the end of the year, we’ll have released more than 14,000 young kokanee into the lake — one way we’re helping ensure their survival.
We also celebrated promising signs of health for kokanee. Last fall biologists observed more than 2,000 adult kokanee returning from Lake Sammamish to spawn. Biologists credited the strong returns, in part, to the new, wider culverts installed along Zackuse Creek that allow for fish to easily pass under roads and trails.
A recent new study of regional greenhouse gas emissions announced by Executive Constantine is a clear call for climate solutions. Here are a few of the actions DNRP is taking.
With our 3 Million Trees initiative we’re planting trees, protecting forests that store carbon, and preparing forests for climate impacts.
We’re connecting our growing regional trail network to high-capacity transit, offering safe, reliable non-motorized transportation options to more communities.
We recently installed our newest solar array at our Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station, and received a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help advance our goal of making all of our operations carbon neutral by 2025.
Nearly 70% of what’s buried in the landfill each day is reusable or recyclable. Our new initiative, Re+, is focused on reducing waste by getting those materials back into the economy, creating green jobs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions equal to 150,000 barrels of oil /year.
King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed a new program to improve indoor air quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions by making it easier for more families to get low-cost loans for heat pumps and other clean energy home upgrades. It would help families save money on their electric bills, be ready for the next heat wave, and prepare them for future climate impacts.
See how switching to a heat pump is one of the most, effective, affordable ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
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We celebrated the end of construction on major upgrades to Skyway Park with a community re-opening this month. Executive Dow Constantine, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and Director Warren Jimenez came out for the gathering, along with Andrew Bloom from the Seattle Kraken, Honorable Richard A. Jones and Mari Horita from One Roof Foundation, Rebecca Berry from Skyway Coalition, and community members. The White Center Teen Program coordinated a variety of interactive games, activities, and information tables, while the Mobile Engagement Team and Volunteer Program were on hand to welcome and engage with park visitors.
Major improvements to Skyway Park’s north end include:
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A new playground and mini turf soccer arena.
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A rehabilitated infield of an existing softball field.
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Installation of a paved pathway with solar security lighting.
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Two new ADA parking spaces.
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Improvements to overall ADA access throughout the park.
 Salmon depend on accessible habitat for survival. Removing barriers to healthy salmon habitat is critical to the survival of Puget Sound orcas that rely on salmon for food. The newly restored wetland off the Duwamish River channel called Chinook Wind provides juvenile Chinook habitat so they can rest and grow strong as they transition between fresh and salt water. Having strong Chinook runs is an upstream solution to healthy orca populations in Puget Sound. See how King County constructed a six-acre wetland on the Duwamish River.
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Each fall, salmon make a remarkable journey to spawn in our rivers and streams. Experience the journey for yourself and welcome them home during #SalmonSEEson at viewing locations around King County.
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