No single factor affects the future of Snoqualmie Valley farming more than the river itself. Flooding is a fact of life here—but human-caused changes, from upstream development to climate change, have made floods more destructive, less predictable, and harder to manage. In recent decades, valley farms and communities, have faced higher peak flows, slower drainage, unexpected late-season flooding, and increasing damage to fields and infrastructure.

At the same time, well-intentioned restoration efforts meant to benefit fish or wildlife can sometimes undermine farming—leaving standing water on cropland, removing valuable acreage from production, or complicating drainage and access.

That’s where we come in.

SVPA works to protect the working landscape of the Snoqualmie Valley parcel by parcel, but we see this mission as part of a larger purpose: protecting a vital public resource that benefits everyone. A thriving agricultural community here doesn’t just feed people—it fuels rural economies, preserves open space, supports biodiversity, stores carbon, and delivers food, fiber, flowers, and farm products to communities across King County, the Puget Sound region, and beyond.

We don’t believe we have to choose between farming, salmon recovery, flood risk mitigation, or ecosystem health. We believe that integrated, science-based solutions can—and must—serve all of these goals.

As a trusted, community-rooted nonprofit, SVPA:

• Champions common ground between agriculture and the environment
• Advocates for practical, balanced floodplain management
• Creates public tools like the Floodzilla Gauge Network and BeaverWise program
• Supports rural voices in land use planning and regional decision-making

Our work helps ensure that the Snoqualmie Valley remains not just beautiful, but viable, resilient, and alive with opportunity—for farmers, families, wildlife, and future generations.

SVPA envisions a future where the Snoqualmie Valley is thriving, resilient, and in balance—where farms flourish, ecosystems are healthy, and communities are protected. We imagine:

1) A vibrant local agricultural economy and food system that not only sustains our farmers, strengthens local food access and security, and empowers rural communities, but also supports the broader regional and statewide food and farming system. Snoqualmie Valley farmers provide food, flowers, fiber, biofuel, and other vital goods and services to people across King County, the Puget Sound region, and beyond.

2) A healthy river, floodplain, and forest ecosystem that nurtures native wildlife, protects water quality, and coexists with productive working lands and communities.

3) Flood risk solutions that honor the natural function of the river and its floodplain while safeguarding lives, homes, and livelihoods from the growing threats of climate change, land use pressures, and more frequent extreme weather events.

Together, we work for a Valley where people and nature thrive side by side—today and for generations to come.

The SVPA serves as a voice for balance in the long-term planning and stewardship of the Snoqualmie Valley. We work to ensure a thriving future for the Snoqualmie River Valley by protecting the region’s agricultural viability, rural communities, and natural ecosystems. We bring together residents, farmers, agencies, tribes, and local leaders to develop and advance collaborative, long-term strategies that integrate land use planning, agricultural viability, flood risk mitigation, and watershed health. By aligning working landscapes with ecological resilience, SVPA safeguards the lands, waters, and livelihoods that define this iconic region.

Our Work Includes:

• Protecting Farmland: We work with King County and state and federal partners to prevent the loss of irreplaceable farmland in one of Washington’s most productive agricultural regions.
• Advocating for Farmers and Landowners: We represent the interests of farmers, landowners, and Snoqualmie Valley’s rural communities in land use, water, and floodplain policy discussions at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Delivering Public-Facing Programs & Resources: Through initiatives like the Floodzilla Gauge Network and the Snoqualmie Valley BeaverWise Program, we provide tools, data, and direct support to help communities respond to changing flood conditions and manage beaver-related impacts in a productive, ecologically responsible way.
• Championing Integrated Solutions: We work at the intersection of agriculture, ecology, and floodplain management—advancing long-term strategies that support a resilient local food system, thriving ecosystems, and successful salmon recovery efforts. We believe the future of the Valley depends on collaborative, balanced approaches that allow people and nature to thrive together.
• Bridging Science and Policy: We partner with scientists, engineers, and environmental consultants to collect data, shape policy, and educate the public. Our goal is to ensure that decisions are grounded in both science and lived experience.
• Connecting Community with Resources: Through our hotline and personalized support, we help landowners and residents navigate permitting, floodplain regulations, drainage concerns, and more. When questions arise, we’re here to help—and if we don’t have the answer, we’ll connect you with someone who does.