King Conservation District awards grants for projects that directly enhance natural resources, provide education and outreach to increase public awareness, build capacity for natural resource improvement projects, and implement pilot or demonstration projects across King County.
The KCD-Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program, in collaboration with the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, supports projects by Seattle community organizations that meet our mutual goals for natural resource improvement and environmental justice. In 2017 the program awarded seven grants totaling $391,000. Below is a list of the funded organizations with brief descriptions of their projects. If you have questions about these projects contact Jessica Saavedra, KCD Member Jurisdiction Grant Programs Manager.
Asian Counseling and Referral Service — New Beginning for the Seattle Community Farm — $62,484
The Seattle Community Farm, which has provided fresh produce to the emergency food system since 2009, is now at risk. Asian Counseling & Referral Service and Friends of the Seattle Community Farm will sustain the active stewardship of the farm during a transition year, engage local youth and immigrant and refugee communities in the farm, and develop a sustainable financial and partnership model for the future. For more information contact G. De Castro, 206-805-8934.
Chinese Information & Service Center — Green Life – Green Family – Green Community — $65,000
The Chinese Information & Service Center will raise awareness, deepen knowledge and change behaviors among Chinese immigrants through an integrated 24-month all-ages program including: 1) Community events and meetings that promote water conservation, growing vegetables at home, and community environmental issues; 2) Training session on at-home gardening; 3) Focus group work to create a community action plan; and 4) Educational tours to key sites. For more information contact Karia Wong, 206-957-8538.
Interim Community Development Association — Youth Program Stipends for Environmental Justice — $75,000
The Interim WILD Program will strengthen youth leadership by providing stipends to build equity in the field of environmental justice and to gain marketable skills for future careers. Funds will also cover transportation costs for field trips within and outside of Seattle that are often a major barrier to youth participation. For more information contact Consuelo Echeverria, 206-714-9719.
Na’ah Illahee Fund — Seattle Native Food Systems Initiative — $50,000
Na’ah Illahee Fund is launching a Native Food Systems Initiative in Seattle. The initiative will encompass the planting, growing, harvest, preparation, and delivery of a mix of cultivated vegetables and native plants to urban Natives in need across Seattle, as well as year-round, culturally relevant education and outreach events for the Seattle urban Native American community. For more information contact Susan Balbas, 206-784-0818.
Rainier Beach Action Coalition — Rainier Beach Community Farm Stands — $75,000
There is no other neighborhood like Rainier Beach. While Seattle grows and puts communities at risk of displacement, the residents look out for each other and create opportunities for their youth. Two farm stands will provide the community with access to healthy, fresh, affordable and culturally relevant produce. They will also support local farms and share their cultural heritage, celebrate diversity, and give young people a chance to thrive in the neighborhood they call home. For more information contact David Sauvion, 206-859-7820.
Seattle Parks Foundation — Greening Concord Elementary School: Field and Gardens — $50,000
The Greening Concord project will convert an underutilized outdoor area at Concord International Elementary School into pollinator gardens and add trees to a grassy hillside and alongside the eastern fence line that will engage the school community and members of the neighborhood. It will strengthen community well-being by becoming a significant green resource in a culturally-diverse neighborhood that disproportionately lacks access to healthy open spaces. For more information contact Angelica Mendoza.
Sustainable Seattle — Fairview Christian School Depave and Rain Garden Project — $13,516
This project will remove asphalt and install a series of three connected rain gardens totaling 1,200 square feet to treat stormwater from the roof of Fairview School and provide heat island mitigation. The project will include educational raised bed gardens and will teach the school and greater community about stormwater, climate resilience, and children’s health benefits of green infrastructure. The project is Phase 1 of an 18,000 square foot depave of the asphalt playfield adjacent to the school. For more information contact BJ Cummings, 206-622-3522.
Program Manager, Engagement
O: 425-282-1955 – C: 425-773-1668
Mark joined KCD in the spring of 2018 as Outreach Coordinator. A transplant from Montana, Mark brings with him a decade of experience in conservation and land-use issues. After graduating from the University of Montana, Mark spent several years teaching natural history in and around Glacier National Park. He also completed two terms of service as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Montana Conservation Corps. Most recently, Mark channeled his passion for the outdoors working to engage communities on wildlife and conservation issues while working for the Montana Wildlife Federation. When not developing KCD’s outreach program, Mark can be found hiking in the mountains with his wife Tia and their dog River.