Greetings!

As you head into this fall with huge economic and social issues to face in the next session we at the Friends want to wish you well and give you some positive news.

THE PRICE WENT DOWN! We have learned that decreases in construction prices together with very tight design work done through the last CTED grant have lowered the price of outfitting the Regional Community Environmental Center to $1.1M. The Friends has applied to the State of Washington CTED Community Grant program and have also completed paperwork for consideration as a line item on the Governor’s budget for outfitting costs. With your support we can hopefully find success through this approach!

On Monday, October 20th 160 school children & their teachers will participate in a reclamation celebration at Brightwater. Both the Snohomish County and King County Executives, Mike Gregoire, and former governor Gary Locke will welcome the students at 11:00 am. Students will then conduct important soil and water testing and forest studies to evaluate how restoration efforts at the Brightwater site are affecting the health of the ecosystem. Students will also be planting 500 native plants at various locations across the site.

This invitation-only event will hightlight just a few of the many ways the Brightwater site can be used for education. We truly believe that no child should be left inside when learning about the keys to a healthy, sustainable future. There will be similar events open to the community in the future. 

Best wishes,

The Friends of the Hidden River

Aaron Feik,

John Schmied

Marie Hartford

Mike Reid

Brian Healy

Nancy Bernard

Chuck Collins