Conservation District outlines erosion work, green-crab removals and $42,000 farmers-market award to support Aberdeen parks

At the July 10 meeting, Aberdeen’s parks director introduced David Marel, executive director of the Conservation District, who described several projects that will involve partnership with the city and parks department.

Marel said the district is a grant-funded, nonregulatory government entity that has $9.7 million in grants across five program areas and 19 local staff. He outlined recent work at KT Cain Memorial Park and Shorts Memorial Park to stabilize river banks by planting willow stakes and other woody vegetation to reduce erosion, and said a pending Conservation Commission award will fund a similar treatment at Alasco Park.

On fisheries work, the district said its green-crab crew removed about 30,000 green crabs from harbor oyster beds this spring and that the governor’s office received a proclamation declaring the green crab an emergency. On local food systems, Marel said the district received a $42,000 award on June 28 to enhance the farmers market next year—funds that can be used for vendor infrastructure, marketing, restroom rentals, traffic control and staff time. He said a separate $10,000 planning grant was pending.

Marel requested continued coordination and letters of support from the city for grant applications and noted the district takes property-owner requests rather than proactively searching for projects: landowners must contact the district for assistance.

Council members thanked the district for volunteer coordination and asked staff to follow up on potential county contact for other erosion sites.