Volunteerism

Parks Division

Volunteer hours

About this measure: Through our volunteer program, King County Parks engages the community, educates park visitors, and provides basic enhancements to the park system and the environment. In addition to the added resources volunteers bring to park projects, people leave with a greater knowledge and appreciation for the park system.

2009 results: 50,400 volunteer hours

2009 target: 45,000

2010 target: 48,000

Influencing factors: Volunteer hours rose slightly from 2008 and also significantly surpassed the 2009 target. This increase can be attributed to the success in establishing a process that captures hours from groups throughout the system who have agreements with the county to do volunteer work that were previously not tracked.

• The 50,400 volunteer hours for the year were provided by the incredible support of more than 8,400 caring citizens. There were over 520 events in which over 60 different groups participated.
• Volunteers planted over 16,000 native trees and shrubs at 12 King County sites. These plants are helping to restore wetlands and streams, forested floodplains and add diversity to our forests.
• This year saw a record in the number of volunteers and projects for United Way's annual 'Day of Caring' on September 11th. There were 14 projects served by almost 600 volunteers who gave over 2,800 hours of service.

Strategy going forward: The program will continue its efforts to build upon increasing volunteer recruitment by focusing on key volunteer program elements such as improving and increasing volunteer recognition. Strengthening existing partnerships with communities and organizations while building new ones remains a key component to the success of this program and will continue to be improved and expanded. This year more consistent messaging and advertising was put in place and the first ever 'e-card' thank you was sent out just after the New Year. The volunteer calendar has been used consistently throughout the year and by the end of 2009 was current and updated constantly. Brochures are currently being edited and revised for a new look for 2010. Social media such as Facebook is being utilized, and a few tweets have gone out. This effort will be worked on more diligently this year as the county's social media protocol and goals are much clearer now.

Although the program's target was surpassed this year, due to past overly ambitious goals, this year's goal has been increased enough to stretch our efforts while not being unattainable.

---

Solid Waste Division (SWD)

About This Performance Measure: This measure represents the number of volunteers trained by the Master Recycler Composter Program each year. The volunteers receive free training in waste prevention, recycling, home composting and alternatives to household hazardous wastes. In return, participants agree to share their knowledge and skills through various community outreach efforts.

2009 Results: 28

2009 Target: 25

2009 Target: There will be no training in 2010.

Influencing Factors: Training recruitment was the same in 2009 as it had been in 2008.

Strategy Going Forward: The next training will take place in 2011. Recruitment for the 2011 training will target residents interested in providing outreach to support the Solid Waste Division's "Recycle More. It's Easy to Do." campaign.

---

Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD)

Salmon watcher program

About this measure: Salmon Watcher is a multi-jurisdictional effort focused at protecting a Pacific Northwest treasure and educating the community in the process. The fourteen year old program involves volunteers watching streams for spawning salmon in King and Snohomish counties. This effort mainly focuses on waters within the Lake Washington watershed.

2009 target: 130 sites on 55 streams

2009 results: 100 sites on approximately 42 streams were watched in 2009. The number of new recruits went up; however, many doubled up on the sites they chose to watch, so fewer sites were watched.

2010 targets: 115 sites on 45 streams

The number of sites and their locations vary from year to year. For example, in 2007, 134 sites were watched on streams. As of 2009, a total of 442 sites on approximately 146 streams have been watched in the program to date. Additionally, since we started collecting information on citizen contacts in 2001, volunteers have talked with approximately 8,600 citizens at their stream sites.

Influencing factors: The Salmon Watcher program is voluntary and new watchers enter the program upon their interest and request. Budget allocations and proactive recruitment of watchers can influence how many and the location of monitoring locations.

Strategy Going Forward: Continuing to educate property owners with salmon streams on their property by participating in the program about things they can do to improve aquatic habitats.

Back to top