Two volunteers from Peck Property smile for a picture at our Annual Celebration

Pierce Conservation District just held our Annual Celebration on February 26th! Last Wednesday, we opened Pioneer Park Pavilion's doors to approximately 150 people as we reflected on an excellent year and looked forward to the rest of 2025 together. Attendees could also use the celebration as an opportunity to cast their vote in our Board of Supervisors Election.

A community member speaks with Katie Nelson and Ali Nichols about their Pollinator Hedgerow Project

Community members, friends, family, and partners were welcomed in to a relaxed and informative evening of light refreshments courtesy of Savory and Sweet Catering company, community networking, and recognition. Guests visited Pierce CD program staff's posters to learn about their highlighted projects from this year. Guests could also visit posters to complete a word scramble map activity for raffle entry! 

Pierce CD shows up for our community from sea to summit! Of course the secret word had to be "Community!"

We also took the time to celebrate the following Conservation Award winners. 

The Ernie Bay Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Marty Chaney of Natural Resources Conservation Service. As her retirement approaches, we recognize the many ways Marty, also known as "Mother Prairie" or "The Grass Whisperer", has changed our Pierce County community for the better. Her decades of agronomy expertise, grazing and pasture management research, and mentorship have left Pierce County a more educated community that will continue to grow for generations. 

This was our third year commissioning handmade trophies crafted from upcycled materials by Aaron Goodge of Toolbox Laboratories.

If you were unable to attend, you can view the full award ceremony with recognition speeches here:

The theme of upcycling materials for Annual Celebration crafting even made it onto event tables this year! Our Communications Team event coordinators crafted centerpieces for each table using sand filled vases and native plants from our office's rain garden. From the sandy sea to the Tahoma summit and all the native plants in between, Pierce Conservation District is determined to change the environment and our communities for the better. 

A sandy native plant arrangement adorned each celebration table

All of us at Pierce Conservation District are grateful for everyone who attended the celebration and for those of you who keep our programs running through volunteering or partnerships. We look forward to another stellar year!