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Skagit County proclaims Arbor Day; conservation district highlights tree programs, teacher training and native plant resources
Summary
The Board issued a proclamation recognizing Washington State Arbor Day and National Arbor Day; Skagit Conservation District staff described local forestry services, native-plant nurseries, teacher training, and a native seed initiative during an Arbor Day presentation.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners proclaimed April 9, 2025, as Washington State Arbor Day and April 25 as National Arbor Day and heard a presentation from the Skagit Conservation District on local forestry and native-plant initiatives.
The nut graf: Emmett Wild, district manager, and Nick (Skagit Conservation District forester) told commissioners that trees provide environmental, economic and community benefits—filtering stormwater, stabilizing banks, supporting wildlife habitat, moderating temperatures, and providing timber and ecosystem services—and outlined district services including a native plant nursery, an annual plant sale, seed-collection work and a new native seed coalition effort.
Nick described practical guidance the district provides free to landowners and public outreach activities: volunteers and partners such as Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and Skagit Land Trust do planting events; the district maintains a native-plant webpage and a map of local native-plant nurseries; and the district offers hazard-tree assessment guidance and assistance with finding professional tree services. He said February through early April is an ideal planting window, with fall also suitable.
District staff also described an ongoing teachers’ training program for which they partner with Washington DNR, local timber companies and the Pacific Education Institute; staff said the multi-day July training provides classroom teachers with field-based instruction and documentation for continuing-education (clock) hours. Nick said formal registration had not opened at the time of the presentation and that preregistration was being accepted with an expected cap of 20–22 teachers.
Commissioners praised the district’s programs; one commissioner noted widespread cedar dieback concerns and staff summarized research suggesting dry late-spring conditions and extended dry periods can stress cedar growth. Staff said the district’s services are provided at no cost and that people can contact the district by email (Nick at SkagitCD.org) for help and site visits.
Action: Commissioners moved and seconded to adopt the Arbor Day proclamation and approved it by a recorded 3-0 vote.
Ending: Commissioners encouraged residents to celebrate Arbor Day and to support tree-planting and local native-plant resources.
