Conservation heroes honored at Better Ground Showcase

The Snohomish Conservation District held its Better Ground Showcase honoring local individuals, businesses and nonprofits for their work to conserve natural resources.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Williams, of Tulalip, for salmon recovery and tribal liaison work; Scott Chase, of Camano Island, for work and volunteer activity with water quality groups

Conservation Leader of the Year: Eric Fritch, a farmer from Snohomish; Holy Cross Catholic Church, for planting native species; Robyn Smith, who runs an educational farm in Bothell; Carol McMahon, who has sparked improvements in her Lynnwood neighborhood; Holly Small, of Stanwood, who teaches programs for the district; Stephanie Williams, of Lake Stevens, who volunteers at the annual plant sale; Brea Dormaier, a fourth-grade teacher in Snohomish who integrates district programs in the classroom

Conservation Business of the Year: Qualco Energy and Werkhoven Dairy in Monroe for myriad efforts, including the first rain garden at a dairy; Dan Bartelheimer, farmer and president of the Snohomish County Farm Bureau, for extending community partnerships

Conservation Partner of the Year: Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs for the Veterans Conservation Corps

Conservation Leader of the Year – Youth: Jarrett Delfel, 18, of Snohomish, for an Eagle Scout project that built a shelter for the Jones Creek Outdoor Environmental Education program; Emily McLaughlin Sta. Maria, 17, of Edmonds, for her regular work collecting water quality data and work with salmon; James Osborn, 10, of Everett, for his work with Discovery Elementary School’s Garden Club

Robyn Smith of Equine Life Solutions in Bothell (center) is named a Conservation Leader of the Year by (from left) Maia Bellon, Washington Department of Ecology director; Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council chair; Mark Craven, Snohomish Conservation District Board chair; and Monte Marti, SCD district manager. (Contributed photo)

Jarrett Delfel (center) receives a Youth Conservation Leader of the Year award. He’s pictured with, from left, Maia Bellon, Washington Department of Ecology director, Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council chair, Mark Craven, Snohomish Conservation District Board chair, and Monte Marti, SCD district manager. (Contributed photo)

Emily McLaughlin Sta. Maria (center) receives a Youth Conservation Leader of the Year award. He’s pictured with, from left, Maia Bellon, Washington Department of Ecology director, Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council chair, Mark Craven, Snohomish Conservation District Board chair, and Monte Marti, SCD district manager. (Contributed photo)

James Osborn (center) receives a Youth Conservation Leader of the Year award. He’s pictured with, from left, Maia Bellon, Washington Department of Ecology director, Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council chair, Mark Craven, Snohomish Conservation District Board chair, and Monte Marti, SCD district manager. (Contributed photo)