In 2016, the science podcast Radiolab ran an episode called “From Tree to Shining Tree” about the mysterious, secret world of trees. They discussed the discovery of thin white threads stringing out from the roots of trees. These strings are actually a complex network of fungi that break down items in the soil, converting them into minerals that trees need. In return the trees give the fungi sugar, but when tree times are tough, the fungi release sugar back to trees. The long strings link into a vast networking system that connects tree to tree.
These networks speak to the profound complexity of soil and hints at the disruption that tearing, digging, and tilling render for lesser plants. Earthworms and decomposed roots build tube structures called macropores that facilitate rainfall soak and soil air exchange, improving future root growth. Soil aggregates and organic soil materials improve, improving the soil’s nutritional value to plants.
During the 1930’s Great Dust Bowl, when soils had been tilled and cultivated repeatedly with monocrops, humans learned the hardest lessons about soil degradation and erosion. Since the Dust Bowl, we’ve made strides in uncovering the mysteries of soil, water and interlocking ecosystems and improving our conservation practices. Local organizations such as Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD) work to educate and promote programs that leverage the knowledge available to support healthy water, soil and environmental practices.
Established in 1942, KCCD’s mission is to provide “leadership, technical, educational and financial assistance to landowners and land users in their utilization and management of natural resources.”
From KCCD’s website: “Conservation districts have broad authority under their enabling legislation, and can tackle just about any problem related to the natural environment. [Conservation] Districts in Washington State are involved in issues ranging from air quality (blowing dust), to prevention of groundwater contamination, to stream improvement for endangered salmon, to dairy waste management, to stream bank stabilization, to on-farm irrigation water management, to forestland improvement, to erosion control on dryland farms.
Recent projects in Kittitas County include Manastash Creek Restoration, Firewise Communities, Wild Horse Wind and Solar Project Conservation Easement Monitoring, Middle Columbia Steelhead Partnership RCPP Project 2022-2026 and more.
KCCD aims to “serve the citizens of our community (county, state, country) to ensure the long term use of natural resources in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner using non-regulatory, voluntary approaches.”
There is currently an election underway for a KCCD Board of Supervisor position. If you value their work and live in their coverage area, please request a ballot and return it on or before March 4, 2025 by calling KCCD (509)925-3352 or visiting them at 2211 W. Dolarway Road, Suite #4, Ellensburg WA.
Article co-published in the Ellensburg Daily Record in February 2025. Charli Sorenson is the past President of the Kittitas County League of Women Voters. She has served on the LWVKC Board in various capacities since 2017. She has also served on the Ellensburg Affordable Housing Commission, Kittitas County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, and Kittitas County Elections Disability Advisory Committee. She lives in Kittitas County with her long-suffering husband of 47 years.