Evergreen
March 31, 2025
A potential breakthrough for treating a salmon-killing chemical found in all tires
Treating salmon-killing tire chemicals
A few years after university researchers discovered that a toxic chemical found in tires was the cause of coho salmon dying in urban streams just before they could reach their spawning ground, our scientists tested a new soil mixture that has proven to be 100% effective at removing the chemical from stormwater in a laboratory.
They describe it as a potential breakthrough for salmon recovery in King County.
“Coho salmon dying from exposure to a toxic tire chemical just before they return to their spawning ground after their journey to the Pacific is not just a tragedy – it’s an urgent call to action,” said John Taylor, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “Our scientists joined their peers to identify a promising solution to a lethal challenge, one that can contribute to the survival of a native salmon species.”
?? Watch the video [ [link removed] ]featuring a few of the scientists behind the research.
??Read the Seattle Times [ [link removed] ] coverage of this potential breakthrough.
*Watch the video* [ [link removed] ]
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Testing native trees for tomorrow’s climate
Climate-adaptive tree planting
What kinds of trees will thrive in King County as summers here get hotter and drier? Our foresters are conducting research to answer that question now.
This spring, our staff launched a long-term trial planting native tree seedlings sourced from regions with climates similar to what’s predicted for our area at the end of the century. The seedlings — Douglas-fir, western redcedar, Sitka spruce, grand fir, western hemlock, and ponderosa pine — came from Southwest Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.
Using U.S. Forest Service climate modeling tools, our scientists selected four sites across King County with a range of growing conditions. Over the next decade, they’ll monitor the trees’ survival and growth to identify which genotypes are best suited for the region’s future climate.
The project – funded by the King County Parks Levy – is one of several strategies in King County’s 30-Year Forest Plan to improve forest health and resilience for this and future generations.
?? Read the Seattle Times coverage [ [link removed] ].
?? Learn more about the tree trial [ [link removed] ].
*Read the Seattle Times coverage* [ [link removed] ]
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Building a More Inclusive Clean Water Workforce
A group of King County employees and members Kandelia work together on a team building project.
Our Wastewater Treatment Division is collaborating with local nonprofits Kandelia and Villa Comunitaria to connect historically underrepresented communities with career opportunities in clean water.
Through the Partners in Water grant program, these organizations will work closely with our human resources team to raise awareness and reduce barriers, fostering a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
*Read more about these partnerships* [ [link removed] ]
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We’re hiring communications interns!
DNRP communications intern starter pack
Are you a junior or senior college student interested in public sector communications? Join us this summer to gain real-world experience in media relations, social media, videography and photography, employee engagement, and high-profile press events.
Internships are available with our Parks, Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Water and Land Resources divisions, as well as our Director’s Office Public Affairs team.
*Apply today* [ [link removed] ]
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Join a volunteer event for Earth Week
parks volunteers
?? *April 19 – Cecil Moses Memorial Park (Duwamish Alive!)* Help restore greenspace along the Green-Duwamish River as part of a regional effort to improve salmon habitat and water quality. Register online [ [link removed] ]
?? *April 26 – Skyway Park* Support habitat restoration in this vital community greenspace, home to wetlands that feed Taylor Creek, a salmon-bearing stream. Register online [ [link removed] ]
?? *April 26 – Miller Creek Trail in Burien* Celebrate Earth Day by improving urban forest health and helping salmon thrive. Register online [ [link removed] ]
?? *April 26 – Arbor Day in Normandy Park* Learn about local creeks, take home a free tree, and enjoy kid-friendly activities at this community celebration. Register online [ [link removed] ]
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Social media spotlight
testing trees for tomorrow's climate [ [link removed] ]
Testing trees for a changing climate ??
King County foresters are planting native tree seedlings sourced from warmer, drier regions to see how they grow in different conditions. The goal? To learn which might be best suited for the future climate in King County.
*Watch the video* [ [link removed] ]
steal their look kokanee [ [link removed] ]
Trending: Unexpected Red Theory ??
Fashion inspired by our favorite comeback story of 2024.
Kokanee salmon made waves in the Lake Sammamish watershed with their strongest early return in a decade:
8,347 adult kokanee returned to spawn in 8 creeks around Lake Sammamish.
*See the post* [ [link removed] ]
spring palette [ [link removed] ]
This is not a drill—Spring is HERE, and water is at the heart of it!
We’re so fortunate to be surrounded by such beautiful water. Clean water is essential to our community, health, and environment, and at King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division, we’re committed to protecting and preserving this precious resource for generations to come.
*See the post* [ [link removed] ]
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If you encounter paywalls or articles requiring a subscription, Seattle Public Library [ [link removed] ] and the King County Library System [ [link removed] ] offer ways to read magazines and newspapers with a library account.
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