Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance Advocating for resource lands of the beautiful Snoqualmie River Valley
The SVPA Mission and Purpose
Since forming in 2010, the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance has become a very effective force for forging productive relationships between community members, farmers, residents, and county and state officials. We have found creative solutions to shared challenges, and made significant headway on some key issues central to protecting the Valley, especially in the area of flooding, development impacts, and water rights. Learn more about what we do.
The SVPA is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of a Pacific Northwest regional treasure, the Snoqualmie Valley. The Snoqualmie Valley is comprised of over 440,000 acres of forests, farms, and small cities, all within an hours’ drive of Seattle and within King County. As the urban centers expand rapidly, the rural counterpoint, the environmental and economic viability of the Valley are put under great pressure.
Recently, the Valley’s agricultural zone has been greatly impacted by larger flooding events, incompatible land uses, and large scale restoration projects. The SVPA advocates for farms, farmers, and landowners because we believe that all of King County benefits from a viable local food source, sustainable small rural businesses and myriad recreation opportunities, just minutes from our urban centers.
The SVPA: A Voice for protecting the Snoqualmie Valley. Hear from farmers and landowners about how the SVPA works for them and the ongoing health of the region.
SVPA LEADERSHIP
Lauren Silver, Executive Director
Lauren Silver grew up in rural Northeast Michigan, right on a large inland lake and only 15 minutes from Great Lake Huron. She spent countless hours boating, swimming, and fishing on the lake, backpacking and rock climbing in the Upper Peninsula, and riding her horses at her family’s farm down the road from their home. Growing up in an agricultural community surrounded by beautiful lakes and rivers, Lauren became enthralled by natural resources and food and farming systems.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a Master of Science in Conservation Ecology with a specialization in Aquatic Ecosystems from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. Throughout Lauren’s career, she has worked in a variety of different roles allowing her to build a multidisciplinary skill set encompassing natural resources conservation, watershed management, agriscience and farming technical assistance, education and outreach, and community engagement. A few of her previous roles have included working as a Stewardship Technician for a land trust performing invasive species management, directing the College and Career Readiness Program at Alcona High School with a focus on assisting at-risk youth and their families, working as a Geographic Information Systems Research Assistant for Matthai Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, among several other positions. For the past 5 years, she has worked for the Grand Traverse Conservation District implementing the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance) Program in her Northwest Michigan service area. In this job, she provided one-on-one technical assistance to agricultural producers of all sizes and commodities to prevent and mitigate environmental and legal risks on their farms. She also was the co-founder and co-developer of the Great Lakes Incubator Farm program, a land-based farm training program that lowers barriers and challenges to beginning farmers, aids in the succession of local farmland, and educates producers about regenerative agricultural practices.
Lauren relocated to Washington in October of 2021 and is thrilled to be joining the SVPA team as the new Executive Director. In her free time, you can often find Lauren kayaking and fishing, hiking, camping, gardening, making up new food recipes, reading, and playing acoustic guitar. Lauren loves traveling and exploring new places with her partner, Jeremy, and their German Shepherd Dog, Mila.
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Regina Fletcher, Floodzilla Gage Network Field Scientist
Regina Fletcher grew up in Western Washington and has a background in GIS mapping. She completed her undergraduate degree at Western Washington University in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy. She spent several years working as a Geo Visual Data Specialist for Google, including projects involving updating routing and other vital user data during natural disasters. She was inspired by these projects to continue her education and completed her M.A. in Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly AIP program, which partners with Woodland Park Zoo as a learning facility for class courses. Her educational work included studying community-based environmental solutions and emerging technologies in conservation. She also focused on stream habitat in the Pacific Northwest, and volunteers in her community with local advocacy groups for water quality monitoring of urban streams and wildlife monitoring with camera traps.
Anna Gilmore, Floodplain Management Intern
Anna Gilmore grew up in coastal southern California, where the beach and monarch butterfly grove behind her backyard inspired her to pursue environmental science in order to better understand and address the challenges we face. She saw local farmers of citrus and many other crops meet water-related crises in the form of both floods and droughts, which would later inspire her to seek out community-based opportunities to help farmers in the Snoqualmie Valley. Anna’s passion for the natural world brought her to Seattle where she graduated from the University of Washington with a major in Environmental Science and Resource Management and minors in Ecological Restoration and Dance.
In addition to working with SVPA, Anna works as a botany technician with the U.S. Forest Service, where she loves surveying Washington’s incredible native botanical species and stewarding public lands. In her free time, Anna loves to spend time outdoors in any capacity, particularly hiking, camping, and taking frequent breaks to look at plants. She dances and teaches ballet, reads, and enjoys cooking delicious dinners and exploring new places with loved ones.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Wayne Gullstad, President – Cherry Creek Farm
- Janet Keller, Secretary – Keller Dairy
- Joe Haberzetle, Treasurer – Valley landowner
- Patrick McGlothin – Goose and Gander Farm
- Cynthia Krass – Natural Resource Planning & Farmland Advocate
- Bob Anderson – Valley landowner
- Geary Eppley – Acacia Farm
- Jeff Groshell – Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course
- Jim Shannon – Natural Resources Consultant
- Rick VanderKnyff – Digital Editor & Farming Advocate