A legacy of environmental stewardship
Crossposted from the Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Across King County, we’re working with communities to create a healthier, more resilient, more sustainable future for all. Take a moment during Earth Week to look back at some of the progress we made together with partners during former Executive Dow Constantine’s administration, and watch the video below.
Share this:
Earth Week 2025
Join King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks as we celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Earth Day!
Earth Day is a special moment for us. It’s an opportunity to thank our employees and partners who work year-round to protect and restore the natural environment for the people, fish, and wildlife of King County. It’s also a time to discover what actions we can all take action to promote a healthier, more resilient, more sustainable future.
Join us April 19-26 as we highlight simple ways to care for our environment, whether it’s volunteering, reducing waste, supporting the local food economy, choosing non-motorized transportation, removing noxious weeds, or enjoying our regional parks and trails.
Together, we can protect, preserve, and restore the natural spaces that connect us all. Read more.
Share this:
Building on success; moving to new levels of significance: Celebrating Public Health Camp’s past achievements and future vision
By Greg Wilson, Education Engagement Strategy, Environmental Health Services Division,
Public Health – Seattle & King County
Honoring the past
Public Health Camp (PH Camp) is an opportunity for young King County residents to learn about careers in public health by engaging with topics, activities, staff, and partnering organizations from several Public Health divisions and the broader community. PH Camp began in 2023 and quickly gained buy-in as an inaugural activity.
2024’s camp, held in Downtown Seattle, focused each day on a different foundational public health concept. PH Camp went beyond expectations and was a total success measured by the following key achievements:
- Inspiring 45 diverse young attendees from the Puget Sound region
- Engaging 43 community partners at the activity’s tabling event
- Strengthening King County academic and community partnerships
- Advancing Public Health – Seattle & King County goals, exemplified through creating workforce development activities, opportunities for student interns, & industry engagement
Shayla Holcomb, Camp Co-Founder and Public Health Nurse Manager with King County’s Office of Nursing, has served as the catalyst and foundation which launched PH Camp. Her visionary leadership and unwavering support have been instrumental in making this program what it is today. Under Shayla’s guidance, the camp evolved from a small initiative to a comprehensive program engaging local youth and interns in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) academic and career pathways in public health.
Founded by Greg Wilson, Environmental Health Services Program Manager, the Education Engagement Strategy (EES) Troupe and the Communications Team have been instrumental in achieving remarkable outcomes, culminating in national recognition—a testament to their commitment to excellence and making a positive difference through people. These groups fostered collaboration to implement the important objectives of advancing Public Health goals, promoting employee engagement, integrating equity and social justice principles, and fostering a leadership development philosophy.
Key community partnerships have also been an integral part of highlighting Public Health’s vital role and the robust collaborative networks needed to develop our next generation of leaders. This network of academic and community partnerships has grown substantially within the last few years, allowing us to offer a more diverse and enriching experience for all participants. Key partners to mention are the Washington Alliance for Better Schools, Franklin High School within Seattle Public Schools, University of Washington, Best Start for Kids, and King County Metro.
Envisioning a meaningful future: Public Health Camp 2025
As we celebrate these achievements, we are excited to announce that preparations are already underway for Public Health Camp 2025, scheduled for August 4-8, 2025. The Education Engagement Strategy Troupe is enhancing this year’s program by incorporating wellbeing concepts throughout the experience.
PH Camp’s 2025 approach focuses on meeting participants where they are on their personal and professional journeys—recognizing that each young person and colleague has unique perspectives, strengths, and needs. This personalized approach will help us move from the success we’ve achieved to date, to new levels of significance by creating deeper, more meaningful connections with our future public health leaders of tomorrow.
The 2025 program’s exciting new elements include:
- A Public Health Youth Ambassador program for participants age 16+
- Expanded hands-on learning opportunities with public health professionals
- Enhanced pathways to explore STEAM careers in healthcare
- Wellbeing-centered activities that nurture both professional skills and personal growth
We invite you to join Public Health Camp in this important work. Whether as a presenter, mentor, or behind-the-scenes supporter, your contribution helps us to impact the lives of others. The 2025 Public Health provides details about the upcoming program and how interested youth can apply now through July 1, 2025.
Please join us in conveying a heartfelt appreciation for this program and the many teams who have dedicated the time and effort to make it such a success, by following the motto “We do what we do because we care… And it’s working!”
Read about Public Health Camp and take a video tour here. To learn more about the program contact Shayla Holcomb at shayla.holcomb@kingcounty.gov or Greg Wilson at greg.wilson@kingcounty.gov.
Additional background information can be read in this article “Empowering Future Public Health Leaders: Seattle & King County’s Public Health Camp Inspires Young People, Strengthens Community Connections.”
Share this:
King County Security Tips – WiFi? Why Not? VPN is your friend
Using free public WiFi at a coffee shop or airport hot spot is great for convenience, but bad for security. Most free access points do not make use of encryption. This is done for convenience and ease of access. If every person had to ask the barista or gate attendant for the WiFi key, it would get unruly, and no actual work would get done. Keep in mind that you are sharing those wireless airwaves with anyone that is within range of your wireless communications.
There is technology out there that allows you to view the wireless computer communications that are within range of your device. To the bad guys, this technology lets them see what you are doing, the data you are passing to websites, and your usernames and passwords.
Unless
- You are on websites with ‘https’ – The little S is for secure. It’s like speaking a language that only two people can understand (your computer, and the website).
- You are using VPN software to encrypt all your wireless communications
- You are using a wireless device from your cellular phone provider, 3G or 4G network access. This is not WiFi, and is not subject to WiFi Security Policies
Using a VPN client to encrypt and route your wireless communications allows you to create a secure channel for your computer to communicate. Even if you are accessing a website without HTTPS, your communication to that website is secured through your VPN connection. If there are any bad guys around you listening in on your wifi traffic, it will be safe.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is good practice to use a VPN when in a public networking spot such as wifi hot spots. This will create a virtual tunnel for your computer to communicate securely through the public network.
Before traveling for work, consult with your IT department about their data security policies when on the road, how to setup your VPN connection (if your company has VPN access), or how to obtain a 3G/4G cellular network card.
Share this:
From zebras and peafowl to cats and dogs
Crossposted from the DES Express
Regional Animal Services celebrates accomplishments during National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
When zebras escaped from a trailer while being transported to Montana last spring, Regional Animal Services helped corral the cleverest one that had been on the loose for days. When a horse trailer blew a tire recently, RASKC responded. After someone called complaining about peafowl at a Kent apartment complex, animal control officers from RASKC captured and relocated at least four of the birds.
While these were among the incidents that grabbed headlines last year, it’s RASKC’s ongoing daily work that saves thousands of pets every year. Read more.
Share this:
Community Service Area Civic Connectors holds inaugural meeting
Crossposted from King County Local
Strong communities rely on engaged people and government working together, which is why the Community Service Area Civic Connectors program is so important.
Recently, the Department of Local Services brought together people from across unincorporated King County to help empower them to become engaged with their local government. More than 30 people who are part of the program joined Director Leon Richardson and other members of our team at Renton Technical College for the group’s first meeting.
Local Services is working with this passionate group so that, together, they can improve quality of life for everyone in the areas we serve. Read more.
Share this:
2024 in Review: Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division highlights progress made for children, adults, and workforce
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
The past year marked important milestones and successes for the Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division (DDECSD). We made great strides in supporting children, young people and adults; bolstering the workforce who make the programs we do possible; and ensuring communities have access to the tools and resources they need to be successful. Read more.
Share this:
From trucker to policy advisor: Gail Stone joins Inquest Program
Crossposted from the DES Express
Gail Stone initially retired from King County in April 2023 after serving as a high-level law and justice policy advisor for 13 years. She was drawn back to public service in late February for a new role, serving as a strategic planning manager for the Inquest Program.
“Inquest is the only thing I can imagine coming out of retirement for,” Stone said.
The purpose of an inquest is to shed light, in an open public forum, on the facts surrounding a death at the hands of law enforcement or corrections. The Inquest Program is based in the Department of Executive Services as part of the Director’s Office. Read more.
Share this:
KCSO offers referral bonus for successful hiring of new deputies
The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) is looking for a few good people, and if you know any, it could help your bottom line. As part of the Employee Referral Bonus Program, any King County employee who is part of a collective bargaining agreement, is eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus if that referral leads to the successful hiring of a new deputy.
Items to note:
- You must be employed at King County at the time of the bonus payout.
- The bonus will be paid out once the new employee successfully completes their probation period.
- There is no limit, refer as many people as you like. But only one bonus will be paid per applicant.
- New hires may list the referring employee when they apply or complete a referral form at orientation.
Information regarding who is eligible and referral details can be found alongside the King County Labor Contracts under Employee Referral Bonus Program.
Share this:
FOX covers behind the scenes of Guardian 1 and all its glory
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter
Recently, Fox 13’s reporter AJ Janavel went on a ‘fly along’ with the KCSO Air Support Unit to show viewers their importance to the department.
Employee News 