Bothell City Council Supports Grant Application

Tonight the Bothell City Council voted unanimously to apply for grant money targeting the purchase of property in the North Creek Forest. The city was flexible, supportive and responsive to a very tight time line. Immediately after the meeting we were approached by Clark Meek, Facilities and Park Capital Project Manager. We had our first meeting and everyone left with an assignment. This item has moved from concept, to city management, through a Council vote and into action in four business days. That's impressive!

We appreciate our council members for their faith in, and commitment to this work. Seven council members arrived at a consensus from seven perspectives. It says a lot about this conservation goal but it also says a lot about our council members. Thank you.

We would like to thank citizens who attended the meeting and the four people who spoke before the council.

Maximilian Dixon: Thank you Maximilian. You only had 20 minutes to prepare and that included travel time from your class at UW Bothell. Maximilian posed the question we were all present to ask and read part of Warren Gold's endorsement letter (see our endorsement page for a copy) Great lead off.

Eric Adman: Thanks Eric: You led us all to remember this is a watershed and Puget Sound issue. It added the element of connectivity we always need to include in these decisions.

Marilyn Knutson from Friends of Northshore spoke of the significance of the forest to the watershed and, along with Eric reminded us of the large number of conservation groups working toward sustainable practices. Thank you Marilyn!

Clyde Merriweather, President of Cascadia Environmental Science Center honed in on the tremendous education potential offered up by the North Creek Forest. He explained what a gift this forest could be in answer to the current shortage of outdoor urban study locations students have to pick from.

In the history of the North Creek Forest April 19th is going to be a day to remember. In forest terms memorable days are few. The last may have been back around 1900 when it was logged. So today we can sing, "I once was logged but now I'm found." :)

Good week everyone and we are only two days into it.

A final reminder:
Don't forget Earth Day at UW/Cascadia on the 21st and Bastyr on the 30th. See our contact page for details.