Skagit County Clean Water

05/27/2026

Want to learn about the stormwater systems in your neighborhood? Be sure to check out Skagit Conservation District's Stormwater Systems Workshop on June 4th from 5:30-7:30 PM!

05/19/2026

Halee Sexton, who served as our intern for over a year, is now the Source Control Inspector for our Stormwater Program!

Halee grew up in the Edmonds area. While she has bounced around, she has always ended up coming home to the Pacific Northwest.

Halee worked in local government and ecotourism before taking off to Bocas del Toro, Panamá to be a Sustainable Agriculture Systems Peace Corps volunteer. After that, she spent a few years working for the Department of Labor.

Halee reoriented her career back towards environmental work by pursuing a second degree in Environmental Science.

She interned with the Natural Resources Division between classes. And now, we’re so excited to have her as a full-time employee!

Halee’s hobbies include looking at plants, cooking, sewing, and getting outside by hiking or biking! She lives with her cat, Astra.

05/16/2026

Invasive weeds are popping up fast this spring—including the notorious poison hemlock!

You might have already guessed it from the name, but poison hemlock is deadly to both humans and animals. Now, while it's (mostly) small, is the best time to treat it! You can hand pull it, but make sure to wear gloves and throw out plant parts in a bag in the garbage.

This time of year, poison hemlock is typically growing close to the ground, like in the second picture here. Later in the season it will have small white flowers growing in umbrella-shaped clusters.

Between its white flowers and its feathery leaves, poison hemlock has several lookalikes. Luckily, its hairless, purple-spotted stems help set it apart.

Learn more about identifying and treating poison hemlock in our May e-newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASKAGITCO/bulletins/413d0d0

05/14/2026

Curious about protecting your home from wildfire? Request an assessment from our friends at Skagit Conservation District at skagitcd.org/wild-fire!

Schedule a free, non-regulatory Wildfire Home Risk Assessment!

The best way to identify areas around your home to strengthen for wildfire resilience is to have a professional come perform a wildfire home risk assessment. At this visit, our staff will walk the perimeter of your home and point out ways to reduce ember ignition.

Curious about what can be done around your home? Request an assessment at skagitcd.org/wild-fire!

05/13/2026

We had a great time at the WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners Plant Fair this weekend!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn about chemical-free gardening, permeable pavement, and how plants help keep pollution out of our water 🌿

Photo: Holboy Entertainment

05/12/2026

Don't miss this free class on noxious weeds tomorrow night! It will be taught by Evan Emrick, our very own Noxious W**d Coordinator!

Scotch broom and knotweed and poison hemlock, oh my! Come learn how to identify the noxious (harmful to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property) weeds in our area, and what to do about them. Class taught by local expert, Evan Emrick! Oh yeah and it's free! Register here: https://www.skagitcd.org/event-details/noxious-weeds-with-evan-emrick

05/07/2026

Don’t miss our May e-newsletter! This issue has got something for everyone. Check it out for:

🌷 Tips for respectful agrotourism
🚙 Info on how to RV right this summer
🌾 The benefits of mowing your pasture
☠️ How to ID and remove poison hemlock
🦅 What’s new in the Natural Resources Division
📅 Upcoming classes, events, and volunteer opportunities!

Find the newsletter (and subscribe for more) here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASKAGITCO/bulletins/413d0d0

05/06/2026

Come see us at the WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners Plant Fair this Saturday (May 9th) from 8 am to 2 pm!

ARE YOU READY??? IT'S PLANT FAIR TIME!!!!
Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
A longtime community launch for the spring plant season is coming up SATURDAY when the annual Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation (SCMGF) Plant Fair https://skagitmg.org/home/events/plant-fair/ fills the Skagit County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Admission and parking are free. Main event access is at the south end of the fairgrounds at 501 W. Taylor Street, Mount Vernon. The Plant Fair will feature more than 10,000 plants for sale, all propagated, grown, or tended for success in local gardens by master gardener volunteers. Click here https://skagitmg.org/home/events/plant-fair/ for plant and tomato lists, a map, a list of vendors and more. Plant your visit now!