Wildfire smoke in our region
Smoky air from wildfires is expected in our region this week. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the agency that oversees outdoor air quality, is reporting air quality levels will likely be MODERATE to UNHEALTHY for sensitive groups for the first half of the week. Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, fast heartbeat, headaches, and asthma attacks. Some groups are more sensitive to smoke, including: Children and teens People with asthma, lung or heart disease, diabetes, or who have had a heart attack or stroke Anyone who is pregnant Anyone older than 65 People who… Read More
Executive Zahilay joins summer gathering for kokanee salmon recovery partners amid hopeful signs of progress
Crossposted from Field Notes King County Executive Girmay Zahilay kicked off a summer gathering of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group amid hopeful signs of a sustainable recovery for a native salmon species that is important to the region’s history and habitat. Hosted at the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe’s new Harvest Kitchen in Snoqualmie, the partners provided an update on actions they have taken in recent years to ensure the survival of the freshwater kokanee and previewed actions they will take next. The gathering occurred 18 months after King County biologists reported a surge in the number… Read More
“GoGreen” event unites employees in conservation efforts
King County Parks recently hosted its annual “GoGreen” night on July 22, at the Movies at Marymoor showing of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” The event brought together a variety of King County units working on sustainability initiatives. Since moviegoers often arrive well before showtime, it was the perfect opportunity for these groups to connect with many community members. Teams attending the event included the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Climate Preparedness Office, DNRP Hazardous Waste in collaboration with Public Health and Seattle Public Utilities, DNRP Solid Waste, DNRP Wastewater Treatment, Department of Executive Services (DES) Office… Read More
King County ETP E-bike subsidy pilot
Interested in leasing or purchasing an e-bike? The King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) is accepting applications for an e-bike subsidy program with lease to own options (up to 12 month lease subsidy with credits that can be applied towards purchase). Multiple vendors and e-bikes are available from Ridepanda, Rybit, Wombi. Apply here at tinyurl.com/kcebikes. Spaces are limited, but if selected, you will receive a follow up email with concierge support to help identify which bike and vendor may work best for you. Options to purchase during or at the end of your lease will… Read More
Progress on extreme heat preparedness five years after fatal heat dome
Crossposted from Field Notes Five years after the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome that led to 34 heat-related deaths in King County, our staff continues to work with partner agencies and communities to better prepare our region for extreme heat. Guided by King County’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, we’ve made progress on multiple fronts to help people stay safe and promote more equitable access to healthy tree canopy. Read more.
Mystery on the Green River: What killed these young salmon?
Crossposted from Headwaters A cold April rain fell on the Green River but the research carried on. Chris Gregersen and Dan Lantz, ecologists from King County’s Science Section, floated down the river’s mainstem and poked into its tributaries listening for loud, electronic beeps from their tracking antennas. Each beep meant a juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – previously tagged by our team or other researchers – was swimming below. Every beep was a reason to celebrate, especially in weather like this. But as they paddled up Kent’s Mill Creek in search of more… Read More
Celebrate American wetlands this month!
Crossposted from Headwaters Each May, we celebrate American Wetlands Month to shine a light on these special ecosystems that provide clean water, flood protection, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetland Inventory Program, a vital tool for tracking wetlands across the United States, including right here in King County. You can learn more about this work and check out status and trends in the NWI’s 50th anniversary Storymap. The NWI includes a wetland inventory that was developed by King County and adopted by… Read More
10 years of repair: Solid Waste Division celebrates 100 community repair events across King County, providing free repair services to keep household items out of the landfill
Crossposted from Field Notes Darren Moffatt has always loved tinkering. Although it’s not his day job, several times a year you’ll find him volunteering as a “fixer” at King County-sponsored repair events. He can be spotted working a screwdriver, applying glue, or even rewiring electronics. “Repair events help keep items out of the landfill by giving them new life instead of throwing them away.” Darren says. “But repair events also have invaluable community impact. At one event, a woman brought me a broken hair clip that seemed simple to me. A piece… Read More
AAAE event showcases innovation in electrification
Crossposted from Plane Talk King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) showcased its electrification and innovation efforts last month as host of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation’s (ACT) first Innovation Engagement of 2026. More than 30 people gathered at the airport to learn and share information about environmental sustainability. Leaders from Fleet Services, the airport and the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division spoke to attendees about electrification efforts. “KCIA and our tenants continue to lead the industry in innovation and electrification,” said John Parrott, airport… Read More
King County is working with communities to promote forest canopy in urban unincorporated areas
A study launched this spring by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks will assess the current condition of forest canopy in unincorporated areas, which will inform future actions with communities that promote equitable access to healthy tree canopy. The project team will study 34 square miles, which includes urban unincorporated communities and the unincorporated rural towns of Fall City, Vashon, and Snoqualmie Pass. The study is led by the department’s new Urban Forestry Program, building on decades of progress King County foresters have made promoting forest health in rural… Read More
Employee News 