Firmly Rooted: Green Snohomish Looks to More Sustainable Future

The November 2022 snowstorm was the end for several trees along First Street between Avenue D and Avenue A. The trees, sweetgums planted in the 1980s, were damaged by a succession of storms in late 2022 that split their trunks and brought down branches. Their replacements will be a different species—sweetgums aren’t an appropriate street tree because their shallow roots upend sidewalks and curbs. The trees had grown to such a size that they became entangled in powerlines.

Given the City’s work on the First Street Master Plan, the renewed focus on urban forestry among planners and activists, and the backdrop of climate change, something as small as the species of tree planted along First Street can be an important step toward a more sustainable future. “We’re at an interesting inflection point,” said Bonny Headley, co-chair of Green Snohomish. “Things that might have worked well [in the past] maybe aren’t going to work well in the future.”

This adaptability is an important piece of building a more sustainable and resilient Snohomish. Regardless of how complex our natural environment is, or how daunting the cause of conservation may seem, there is always something that can be done at an individual level.

For example: “We are very, very lucky we can put compost into the yard waste bins most people have,” said Lya Badgley, the founder of Green Snohomish and a former city councilmember. “And you know what you can compost? Pizza boxes.”

So next time you find yourself with an empty pizza box from Brava’s, Piccola, or Cathouse, think of it just like yard waste.

Green Snohomish, an organization dedicated to environmental conservation, meets once a month and the meetings are free and open to the public. “We’ve had presentations from the Tulalip Tribes, we’ve had presentations from Futurewise, we’ve had presentations from Cedar Grove,” Headley noted. “We try to keep our members informed.” facebook.com/ greensnohomish) for current volunteer opportunities. “We’re always looking for opportunities to work in tangible ways to improve the natural environment we live in,” said Dillinger. Examples include a monthly Pilchuck River cleanup and clearing ivy and blackberry bushes from parks and other public spaces.

There are also plenty of chances to give back to the environment through volunteering. Looking for a way to contribute? Email co-chairs Headley and Don Dillinger (leadership@ greensnohomish.com) or visit the Green Snohomish Facebook page (www.

“The opportunity to really make a difference seems more evident in small towns,” said Headley, who moved to Snohomish in 2017 to be closer to her grandchildren. Citing how well homeowners have taken care of the trees lining historic downtown Snohomish, Headley evoked a sense of stewardship— not just of the environment, but of the community.

Green Snohomish might be best known for organizing the biannual Historic Snohomish Tree Tour—but they are an educational resource all year long. Want to check out those trees for yourself? Pick up the Historic Snohomish Tree Tour brochure from City Hall (116 Union Avenue) or join Green Snohomish for a guided tour on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14).