 |
|
Nov. 28, 2001
Sims honors Earth Heroes and Earth Hero of the Year
King County Executive Ron Sims today honored Bedrock Industries, Suzanne Krom, North Bend Mayor Joan Simpson, and the Trust for Public Land as Earth Heroes for Fall 2001. A special tribute was also made to King County Councilmember Louise Miller as Earth Hero of the Year. The ceremony was held in the Executive’s office to honor the invaluable contributions these heroes have made in protecting King County’s environment.
Launched in May of 2000, the King County Earth Legacy Initiative celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing our natural environment. The Initiative outlines a number of innovative programs that are working hard to maintain the rich integrity of our region, as well as our high quality of life.
"Councilmember Miller, Suzanne Krom and Bedrock Industries represent the spirit and commitment behind King County's Earth Hero Award," said Sims. “Each has given unselfishly to the cause of environmental protection and enhancement for the residents of this county.”
“Through effective partnerships and the dedication of Mayor Simpson and the Trust for Public Land, our region's environment will be protected for generations to come,” said Sims. “I am pleased to honor and recognize the outstanding collaborations that take place in King County.”
During her eight years with the King County Council, Councilmember Louise Miller has been a tireless advocate for the environment and has played a pivotal role in passing critical conservation legislation. Programs have included the reauthorization of funding for the King Conservation District, the Waterways 2000 Program and the Public Benefit Rating System Program. In 1993, Councilmember Miller was a key supporter of the $60 million King County Conservation Futures Bond which has since protected thousands of acres of open space and park land at Soaring Eagle Regional Park, Rattlesnake Mountain, Meadowbrook Farm, and along Bear Creek and the Cedar, Green and Sammamish rivers.
With a strong commitment to preserving salmon and habitat, Councilmember Miller has taken leadership on the Tri-County Executive Committee, served as the King County representative to the Governor's Natural Resources Council, co-chaired the WRIA 7 (Sno/King basin) and is a member of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum. As the prime sponsor in creating the King County Agriculture Commission in 1994, Councilmember Miller helped farmers understand environmental issues and advised the county on the real issues/challenges facing farmers today.
Councilmember Miller’s contributions to the preservation of open space and her commitment to our environment have been a key part of King County's success in protecting our natural surroundings. Steadfast in her work on the King County Council, Councilmember Miller has been a true champion and hero for the environment.
Since 1993, Bedrock Industries has expanded the market for recycled glass in this region and nationally. Under Maria Ruano’s leadership, the company takes recycled glass from a number of sources - building construction, curbside pickup and artist studios - and develops a wide range of creative products for both the consumer and the professional designer. In 1996, Bedrock created new consumer products out of 60 tons of recycled glass. In 1998, it used 150 tons of recycled glass to create new consumer products.
Bedrock Industries combines its focus on creating a market for recycled glass products with efforts to reuse a wide range of other recycled materials in product development and business practice. They have received the King County Green Globe Award as a Leader in Market Development for its effort to create a market for recycled glass products. Bedrock has also twice received the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Design Resource Award for innovative work with waste materials. Bedrock works closely with designers from the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and is working with the Seattle School District to educate children about the value of recycling.
In 1991, Suzanne Krom watched a bald eagle raid all 15 nests in a great blue heron colony she was monitoring in Renton’s Black River Riparian Forest, destroying 50-60 eggs and heron babies. But in the days ahead the adults refused to give up their home and banded together to fend off any more attacks. Though only three young herons survived that season, the herons’ struggle to survive cemented Krom's commitment to the birds and Black River. She decided that if the herons wanted that much for the site to be their home, then she’d continue to do everything she could to make that happen. She had been active in protecting the site from development since 1989, and she continues her work to this day. The greatest threat to the herons wasn’t bald eagle predation, but encroaching development. Surrounded by a gravel quarry and concrete recycling facility, industrial warehouses, and office parks, the 95-acre stretch of forest and wetlands is an oasis for urban wildlife and humans alike.
In 1989, Krom established Herons Forever, and by 1991, 350 people were active members, participating in the public process by writing letters and testifying at public hearings. Herons Forever is a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting the Black River site. By 1996, thousands of citizens and various funding entities had raised $8 million to acquire the land, over 90% of the funds coming from King County, 3% from the State, and 1% from Renton. Today, the entire 95-acre Black River Riparian Forest is protected public Open Space. This year, the site supports 120 great blue heron nests, making it one of the largest colonies in the King-Snohomish-Pierce county region. Although Krom is not a resident of Renton, she reminds us that we must work for environmental protection and enhancement where the need is greatest.
North Bend Mayor Joan Simpson has been an environmental advocate committed to preserving the rural area for many years, beginning as a member of North Bend’s Planning Commission, moving on to the City Council and now in her current position as mayor. In her first term, Mayor Simpson successfully advocated for the preservation of the 450-acre Meadowbrook Farm, which is now a haven for elk, trumpeter swans, eagles and black bears.
Mayor Simpson is a suburban cities representative on the Growth Management Planning Council and has been an articulate voice in supporting the growth management act, preservation of the rural area and the recent unprecedented Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative. Most recently, Mayor Simpson led the successful effort to save the historic Tollgate Farm. In partnership with King County and the Trust for Public Land, Mayor Simpson helped save Tollgate Farm from the imminent development of a business park. Her efforts helped preserve the historic American Indian site and provides the people of the Snoqualmie Valley with additional open space and recreation lands.
The Trust for Public Land has been a regional leader in the preservation of tens of thousands of acres of open space, farmland, and forestland in the Mountains to Sound Greenway as well as an effective partner in providing access to a range of private and public funding sources. Over the years, the Trust for Public Land has been acquiring and holding open space lands throughout King County, including the 450 acre Meadowbrook Farm, the 22 acre Preston Mill site, and the 1,800 acre Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area. The historic Preston Mill was being considered for a rock crushing plant. The Mill is the birthplace of Preston and is located on the Raging River, a critical Chinook spawning tributary within the Snoqualmie Basin.
With talented and skilled staff, the Trust for Public Land worked to preserve 1,700 acres on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, which includes 3.5 miles of pristine riverfront property that is a critical wildlife corridor in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Most recently, the Trust for Public Land led the successful acquisition negotiations on the 372 acres at the Tollgate Farm, an important wildlife habitat area that will remain in open space public recreations for generations to come.
Earth Hero nominations are submitted by King County employees. Individuals and businesses in King County that are working to make a positive impact on our environment are selected monthly for their outstanding contributions to maintaining the natural beauty of this region.
Related link: Earth Legacy Initiative
Updated: May 31, 2002
Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not
constitute endorsements by King County. |
|