EVERETT, WA – Celebrating the successes of Snohomish County leaders working to strengthen the environment and economy in their communities, Cascade Land Conservancy is awarding the Cascade Agenda Leadership, New Directions for Livable Communities and Community Service award at their Oct. 1 event, NW Heroes: Partners in Conservation.

The event, which will take place in Everett’s American Legion Park from 1:30-4:30pm, will feature the awards ceremony, live music, fun family activities and an ice cream social in celebration of leaders dedicated to conserving Snohomish County’s precious natural lands and bolstering its economy.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon will speak at the event.

CLC is awarding the Tulalip Tribes the Cascade Agenda Leadership Award for the creation of the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve. The award celebrates the role of leaders in linking great communities, a healthy environment and a strong economy. The Hibulb Center will serve as both a museum and school. Tribal members and the general public will be able to learn about Tulalip cultural heritage via the museum exhibits as well as take classes in weaving, carving and language. Once finished, the Natural History Preserve will feature walking paths, artistic features and alcoves on 42-acres of land.

The City of Edmonds and the Edmonds Bicycle Group will receive the New Directions for Livable Communities Award for their work on the Complete Streets initiative. The award celebrates the innovation and cooperation required to create great communities and conserve great landscapes. In June, Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper signed a Complete Streets ordinance into law, ensuring that all new infrastructure will be built with every road users in mind, regardless of mode choice. The initiative was passed thanks to the dedicated efforts of the City and the Bicycle Group.

Finally, CLC is awarding Cindy Howard and the Lake Roesiger Community Club the Community Service award for their work on the Lake Roesiger land acquisition. The award celebrates grassroots leadership to conserve and steward great lands and create great communities. Howard and the Community Club were both invaluable in helping close the Lake Roesiger land deal. In August, Snohomish County and the Washington Department of Natural Resources purchased nearly 3,000 acres of land around Lake Roesiger from a developer to be used for sustainable forestry and public recreation.