Environment

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell and Lynnwood City Council Member David Parshall along with others involved in the renovation of Scriber Lake Park explore the new boardwalk on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood cuts the ribbon to new Scriber Lake Park boardwalk

The new boardwalk provides year-round, ADA accessibility to the city’s only public lake.

 

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

 

Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events

Washington State University and Washington Sea Grant will hold a training at Willis Tucker Park on June 2.

 

DNR removes derelict barge from Spencer Island

The removal was done in partnership with state Fish and Wildlife within a broader habitat restoration project.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People swim in the Yost Pool during Open Fitness and Lap Swim on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Feeling the heat in Snohomish County: How hot will it get where you live?

Everett is expected to hit low 80s with inland areas reaching near 90.

People swim in the Yost Pool during Open Fitness and Lap Swim on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Washington climate goals jeopardized by U.S. Senate vote

The U.S. Senate revoked waivers allowing Washington to mandate strict vehicle emission standards

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A “SAVE WETLANDS” poster is visible under an seat during a public hearing about Critical Area Regulations Update on ordinance 24-097 on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County Council passes controversial critical habitat ordinance

People testified for nearly two hours, with most speaking in opposition to the new Critical Areas Regulation.

A “SAVE WETLANDS” poster is visible under an seat during a public hearing about Critical Area Regulations Update on ordinance 24-097 on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Take Snohomish County’s climate resiliency survey before May 23

The survey will help the county develop a plan to help communities prepare and recover from climate change impacts.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Danny Burgess, left, and Sandy Weakland, right, carefully pull out benthic organisms from sediment samples on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Got Mud?’ Researchers monitor the health of the Puget Sound

For the next few weeks, the state’s marine monitoring team will collect sediment and organism samples across Puget Sound

Danny Burgess, left, and Sandy Weakland, right, carefully pull out benthic organisms from sediment samples on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

The Snohomish County Council will hold new hearing on habitat ordinance

The Snohomish County Council will hear testimony and consider amendments to its Critical Area Regulations ordinance.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
The golden paintbrush stands several inches high and blooms every summer. (Mosa Neis / Pacific Rim Institute)

Whidbey Island prairie offers opportunities for education and conservation

The Pacific Rim Institute is hosting prairie tours and talks through the weekend

The golden paintbrush stands several inches high and blooms every summer. (Mosa Neis / Pacific Rim Institute)
Ian Terry / The Herald

Zachary Mallon, an ecologist with the Adopt A Stream Foundation, checks the banks of Catherine Creek in Lake Stevens for a spot to live stake a willow tree during a volunteer event on Saturday, Feb. 10. Over 40 volunteers chipped in to plant 350 trees and lay 20 cubic yards of mulch to help provide a natural buffer for the stream.

Photo taken on 02102018

Snohomish County salmon recovery projects receive $1.9M in state funding

The latest round of Climate Commitment Act dollars will support fish barrier removals and habitat restoration work.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Zachary Mallon, an ecologist with the Adopt A Stream Foundation, checks the banks of Catherine Creek in Lake Stevens for a spot to live stake a willow tree during a volunteer event on Saturday, Feb. 10. Over 40 volunteers chipped in to plant 350 trees and lay 20 cubic yards of mulch to help provide a natural buffer for the stream.

Photo taken on 02102018
A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last

The climate justice group has enough funding to aid 80 households with making the transition to heat pumps and electric ranges

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Freylands Elementary fifth grader Vaughn Kipnis takes a turn shoveling dirt to help plant a Niobe Golden Weeping Willow along the banks of Lake Tye during an Arbor Day celebration at Lake Tye Park on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Students from Mrs. Sager and Mrs. Slater’s classes took a field trip to help the city plant the park’s newest tree. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Enjoy spring weather for Arbor Day celebrations

Towns across the county are getting in on tree-planting festivities on Friday and Saturday.

Freylands Elementary fifth grader Vaughn Kipnis takes a turn shoveling dirt to help plant a Niobe Golden Weeping Willow along the banks of Lake Tye during an Arbor Day celebration at Lake Tye Park on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Students from Mrs. Sager and Mrs. Slater’s classes took a field trip to help the city plant the park’s newest tree. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A person holds a sign referencing the recent demolition of a 100-year-old California coast redwood during a city council meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds approves interim ordinance to protect landmark trees from removal

City staff will now begin to work on a permanent solution to be in place by April 2026.

A person holds a sign referencing the recent demolition of a 100-year-old California coast redwood during a city council meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)