43 bells and 43 trees honor Oso one year after landslide

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One year after tragedy struck the small community of Oso, residents, rescuers, volunteers, and more gathered to honor the victims, survivors and community – still Oso Strong. On March 22, 2014 the hillside came down, blocking State Route 530 and the Stillaguamish River and burying homes in up to 70 feet of mud. One of Washington’s worst disasters, the SR 530 slide took the lives of 43 people. Yesterday a bell rang out for each of these 43 victims. On the first year after the disaster, the Seattle Times pays tribute to the Oso community in this article.

Photo of Liz and therapy dog

Liz with Pickles, the therapy dog.

When Snohomish County asked for assistance  last year, people quickly responded – including communications professionals. I am proud to have served as a public information officer for two days on the SR 530 slide, working in the Joint Field Office in Everett. I met people from throughout Washington State and the country who wanted to help. The rescue and therapy dogs made a big difference, too!

Yesterday, one year after the landslide, 43 trees were planted along the hillside to honor the victims. I hope these trees will grow as strong as the Oso community’s resilience and courage. I will continue to remember Oso, the people who came to help, and the people who call it home. Oso Strong.

Volunteer engagement: “so much wonderful, so much challenge”

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Marjorie Trachtman provided great tips on recruiting and keeping volunteers during her volunteer engagement training last week. After asking us to name one word that describes volunteer engagement, Marjorie noted that it has “so much wonderful, so much challenge.”

Photo of volunteer engagement training

Learning more tips on recruiting and keeping volunteers

Some key takeaways:

  • Focus on why people volunteer and develop messages to meet their needs.
  • Have program policies and procedures in place (ie, job descriptions, screenings, and a training process).
  • Match different personalities with different assignments and different recognition.

According to Marjorie, the number one reason people don’t volunteer? They’re not asked. So go for it, and remember that a good volunteer program will lead to success for the volunteers and organization!

Thanks to Alexandra Doty for organizing this free training for ECO Net members!

Looking forward to collaborating

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Photo of State of the City 2015 address.

Attending Mayor Strickland’s State of the City 2015 address. Tacoma, WA.

After a year working as a part-time public information specialist with Pierce County and assisting clients with communications, I am focused full-time on Engage Northwest! In the last month, I’ve met potential clients, partnered on proposals, and attended civic and community events. I’m getting to know more organizations – large and small – in the Puget Sound region. Looking forward to collaborating on some great projects and programs in 2015!

Farmland conservation in Pierce County

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Matlock Farm-12-3-14In February, Forterra and Pierce County collaborated with local farmers to complete the largest farmland conservation project in Pierce County’s history.

Lots of people benefit from conservation easements — farmers, developers (who can purchase development rights and use them in urban areas), and people who appreciate rural character and want fresh food. Fish and wildlife benefit, too.

You can learn more about conserving the 153-acre Matlock Farm from King 5 news coverage and the Pierce County press release.

While working for Pierce County, I played a small role on this farmland conservation project – writing a press release about obtaining a Floodplains by Design grant and taking a reporter and the funders on a project tour. The project tour resulted in an article about restoring floodplains to reduce flooding and provide habitat.

Exciting news! I hope to be involved in more of these partnerships.