Local nonprofits in Bothell urge volunteering, reuse and forest conservation to support climate resilience

Local nonprofit leaders urged Bothell residents to support community-based climate resilience through volunteering, reuse and forest conservation during public comments.

"We don't count items. We don't limit items from people. If they need it, they take it," said Kelly Hennessey, director of Threads and Treads, describing the organization's free clothing bank that serves students and families in the Northshore School District and neighboring communities. Hennessey encouraged donations, adult and youth volunteering, and monetary support; she said unusable items are passed to Northwest Center or shredded into moving blankets.

David Bain, vice president of Friends of North Creek Forest, linked forest conservation directly to resilience, saying trees help keep rainfall from turning into floods and filter wildfire smoke. "Forests are very good at keeping rainfall from turning into floods," he said.

Sarah Witt, president of the board for Friends of North Creek Forest, said the group helped conserve 64 acres of natural space that are now part of the city's parks system and outlined restoration activities such as planting native species and removing invasive plants and trash. Witt urged residents to follow the city's social media for upcoming volunteer events and to adopt small behavioral changes—energy conservation and alternative short-trip transportation—to advance the city's climate goals.

The remarks highlighted practical, community-driven actions that complement the city's staff-led implementation steps for the recently adopted climate action plan. Information on specific volunteer event dates and sign-up procedures was not provided in the comments; Witt advised following city channels for scheduling and event notices.