Monte Marti, longtime district manager of Snohomish Conservation District, is retiring in August. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Monte Marti, longtime district manager of Snohomish Conservation District, is retiring in August. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Monte way: Overcoming differences for conservation

After 20 years at the helm of the Snohomish Conservation District, Monte Marti is retiring Aug. 9.

LAKE STEVENS — It’s not uncommon for conservationists, farmers, tribes and other natural resources stakeholders to take opposite sides on environmental issues.

That is, until Monte Marti gets involved.

In his 20-year tenure as the district manager at the Snohomish Conservation District, Marti has built a reputation as a relentless collaborator with an uncanny ability to bring different and often competing groups together.

On Aug. 9, Marti will retire from his position with the district.

“He has been instrumental in bringing the farming community, tribes, and regulatory agencies to the table to collaborate,” said Dan Bartelheimer, president of the Snohomish County Farm Bureau.

Bartelheimer recalled a time when the agriculture community walked away from a county board for sustainable land strategy that was meant to bring together farming and fish interests.

“We were very disillusioned with the group, so soon it had no voice for the ag community,” Bartelheimer said.

So Marti began sitting in on monthly Farm Bureau meetings. He did so for years until finally, the opportunity arose to invite the agriculture community back onto the board.

“Traditionally, ag and fisheries line up on opposite sides and battle,” County Executive Dave Somers said. “That is not Monte’s way.”

Through persistence and patience, Marti has united people from local groups to federal agencies to work toward conserving natural resources.

His path to what he now considers to be his dream job was a winding one.

Growing up, Marti always thought he’d work at the farm his family ran in Eastern Washington. But he studied agricultural economics at Washington State University, where he met his now-wife, Carole.

“She was a city girl from Pasco,” he said.

They married after junior year and ended up both going back to WSU for master’s degrees. After graduating, they went after the same job at Verizon, then GTE, in Everett. Carole got the job.

“Which was the right choice on their end,” he said.

He came to Everett and started working nights at a pizza restaurant.

Wanting to get back to his roots in agriculture, Marti started volunteering at the conservation district in 1983.

“There was an interweaving of my passion for agriculture and natural resources,” he said.

Marti ended up moving into his wife’s role at Verizon after she took another job in 1984, but continued to volunteer with the district throughout his 25-year career there.

In 2010, he applied for the district manager position.

“Life is good. Now I get paid to do what I was willing to do for free,” he said.

In his 20-year tenure at the district, Marti said he’s most proud of the partnerships he’s helped forge.

“And just a sense of hope that if we come together as a community of very diverse people and interests, we can tackle these tough issues,” he said.

Although he’s retiring from the district, Marti said he’ll most likely still be around to champion other conservation efforts.

Outside of that, he’s looking forward to celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary and touring the U.S. on his bicycle.

“I pour my heart into everything I do and I will pour my heart into retirement,” he said.

Julia-Grace Sanders: 425-339-3439; jgsanders@heraldnet.com.

If you go

Celebrate Monte Marti’s retirement from the Snohomish County Conservation District at the annual partnership breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Craven Farm in Snohomish. RSVP at snocd.org/celebration.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.