Ecology's regional wetlands chief Paul Anderson
It made this a fitting day to honor two people who led a grass-roots effort to protect a rare example of bog and fen wetland that has become increasingly rare in Western Washington.
“Randy and Mark are directly responsible for protecting Hooven Bog,” said Baldi. “We applaud their success in preserving a place where people can see its plant and animal life, and the way it supplies cool, clean water. People like Randy and Mark give us hope that we not only can protect special places like Hooven Bog, but also that we can restore the health of Puget Sound."
Getting involved
Hooven Bog supports unique plants such as this sphagnum moss.
His efforts caught the attention of Deputy County Executive Mark Ericks. Ericks lost little time in assembling a funding package for the county to acquire and preserve the majority of Hooven Bog and adjoining forested lands to the south and west. The Snohomish County Council approved the plan on April 23, 2014. The county finalized the purchase that July. The property will be managed by Snohomish County Parks and Recreation as a natural area.
Bogs and fens
Part of Bear Creek's headwaters emerge from the bog and its surrounding forest.
High praise for superior efforts
Our honorees led efforts to perserve this rare bog environment as a publically owned natural area.
“Hooven is the most diverse bog/fen system I have ever seen and I have seen a LOT of bogs,” said Sarah Cooke, a wetland scientist and independent consultant. “It is with confidence that I state that it is extremely rare to have such a diverse sphagnum bog/fen system, let alone one with intact mature forest in the urban/urbanizing corridor in the Puget Sound.”
“The bog is a critical piece of a much larger ecological system, and its health in turn supports the health of our regional water systems, plants and animals, and fish and aquatic species,” said County Executive Lovick. “Thanks to the dedication of Mr. Ericks and our community stakeholders, this site will remain in conservation so that future generations can enjoy its quiet and natural beauty.”
See more photos of Hooven Bog and the award recipients.