King County and Puget Sound Partnership

DNRP's mission is to preserve King County's rich, yet fragile natural resources, while accommodating the needs of a human population approaching two million people — all of whom live within the Puget Sound watershed

King County is a member of the Puget Sound Partnership, which is working on a 15-year plan to protect and restore the Sound ecosystem. One of its recommendations is a large-scale public-private effort to build and sustain public awareness at a higher level and to engage citizens in the personal actions and behaviors needed to help protect and restore the Sound.

Here are some upcoming King County-sponsored events and opportunities, and some "Sound Tips" to help everyone make a difference:

King County Sound Tips

King County is working to safeguard Puget Sound, protect human health and enrich the region's quality of life. The county is a member of the Puget Sound Partnership, which is beginning work on a 15-year plan to protect and restore the Sound. This brochure provides tips on what you can do to protect the Sound.

Come Volunteer this Summer

Bring the family and friends and have fun helping our King County Greenhouse and Nursery, restoration projects and trails. Our restoration projects are focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitats for fish and wildlife and improving water quality. In, addition, we have lots of dates to help build backcountry trails.

Join us on a Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or for trail work from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or if you have a group that wants to work during the week or on a weekend, give us a call to arrange an event. To sign-up and get directions, or for more information, call Tina Miller at 206-296-2990 or e-mail at tina.miller@kingcounty.gov. Check the calendar for updates.

For more information on planting and restoration projects visit
http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/stewardship/volunteerevents.html.

Native plant salvage

Help dig up native trees and shrubs at sites that are scheduled for development. Groups are needed to care for salvaged native trees and shrubs at our holding facility near Sammamish. Later in the day, volunteers will be needed to pot the salvaged plants at the King County native plant holding facility. To schedule a group work party, please contact Cindy Young at 206-296-8065.

Students needed! Learn about restoring habitat while planting trees and shrubs. Volunteer groups are needed for restoring habitat along the Green River. Weekdays preferred. Fourth grade and up.

Volunteers are reminded to dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided. A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under 16 years old.

For more information or to sign up, contact Greg Rabourn at 206-296-1923, or e-mail greg.rabourn@kingcounty.gov. For more information on the Native Plant Salvage Program visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/salopps.htm on the Internet.

Reclaiming water resources!

Reclaimed water is wastewater that's treated to such a high level it can be used safely and effectively for nondrinking purposes, such as landscape and agricultural irrigation, heating and cooling and industrial processing. Reclaimed water is available year-round, even during dry summer months or when a drought strains other water resources. Use of reclaimed water also reduces impacts on rivers and streams, which benefit endangered fish species and their habitats.

To learn more visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/reuse/.

What happens when you flush?

Clean water, it starts with you and comes to us. To find out more about the fate of wastewater after it leaves your faucets or toilets, check out this year's series of treatment plant open houses that offer tours and information on different parts of the treatment process. As a region, we've cleaned up both Lake Washington and the Puget Sound by voting for regional wastewater treatment 40 years ago. Suitable for families.

To request a tour with emphasis on reclaimed water and biosolids that are produced from the treatment process visit the website at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/tours/.

Recycling collection events!

The Solid Waste Division along with the suburban cities in King County have recycling collection events for items that may not be collected through regular collection services — things such as appliances, tires or electronic equipment. The events serve residents throughout King County, outside the City of Seattle. Residential collection events usually occur during the spring and fall on Saturdays. Business recycling collection events are usually held in summer and fall. Both residential and business recycling collection events are usually held at a school parking lot or a transit system park-and-ride lot. Locations, materials and hours of operation may change from year to year. To view a complete list of all county-wide scheduled events, including dates and locations, visit the Recycling Collection Events calendar.

For questions about this web page,
please contact Earl Krygier.

Updated: June 27, 2008

Related Information:

"It's Easy Being Green"

Puget Sound Marine Topics

Other Natural Resources & Parks Topics

King County Watersheds Map

King County Environmental Links