From septic systems to shorelines and gardens, islanders have lots of resources available to learn about and improve their stewardship of their homes and properties — and many of those resources are taxpayer-funded.

Put your local government to good use, learn something new and connect with your neighbors by taking advantage of these classes, workshops and trainings.

Septic Workshops

Want to learn more about your septic system, how to maintain it or address other problems? Join Vashon Team Septic’s upcoming workshop from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Zoom, April 1. The event is free. Register at vashonteamseptic.org.

Learn about regenerative food

“Regenerative” is the new buzzword in the farming world, but it’s an important concept that refers to feeding people without treating the Earth as just a thing from which to extract resources. An eight-week online course, starting April 1, is available at foodsovereignty4everyone.org/regen-continued.

Gardening mixer

Meet and learn from other gardeners and farmers at the King Conservation District’s Zoom Garden Mixer, from 7-8 p.m. on April 3. It’s an opportunity to share questions, challenges and ideas with other growers in the area. Visit kingcd.org/eventbrite-event/kcd-zoom-garden-mixer-april-3.

Plant sale at Village Green

Join island gardening experts Diane Emerson and Michael Laurie from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 5 for a plant sale at Village Green, where you’ll find native plants and medicinal and culinary herbs. Watch for the red and white signs that say “Plant Sale Today.”

Beginner beekeeping class

Learn about managing a bee colony with this $65 class taught by Cornell University Master Beekeeper Dawn Beck, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on both Saturday, April 5 and the following Sunday.

Garden Savvy classes

This series of six classes on gardening from April 12 to June 7 will be held over Zoom, covering topics like gardening with children and pollinators.

The classes, part of “Series 2” in the Garden Savvy program, run on specific Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. If you can’t make a class, recordings are sent to participants afterward.

Registration is now open: Visit kingcounty.mastergardenerfoundation.org/education/pnw-garden-savvy. The fee per class is $8, but you may be able to receive a tuition fee waiver.

Forest stewardship course

Owners of wooded property on Vashon can learn to better care for their trees by taking Washington State University Extension’s Forest Stewardship Coached Planning course. It will be held Monday evenings from April 14 through June 16 at the Land Trust building. The course is open to property owners of all skill levels with properties of any size.

Participants will learn how to identify and assess their trees, avoid insect and disease problems, help their forests be resilient to climate stressors, attract wildlife, reduce wildfire risk around homes improve aesthetics, and more. They’ll also learn to develop their own forest stewardship plans to qualify their properties for recognition as stewardship forests, which may help otherwise qualifying landowners enroll in conservation cost-share grant programs or property tax reductions.

Each participant will receive a private consultation site visit to their property by a stewardship forester and/or wildlife biologist.

The all-inclusive course fee is $175. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. The registration deadline is April 9. To register or learn more, visit forestry.wsu.edu/nps/events/cpvashon or contact WSU Extension Forestry, 425-738-0103.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs, who should contact Sarah Stewart at 425-738-0103 or sarah.stewart1@wsu.edu prior to the event.

VIGA Farmers Market

The island’s Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from May 3 to September 27 this year at the Village Green, located at 17519 Vashon Highway SW. Visit for fresh produce, starts and seeds, and conversation with other island growers.

ADU Workshop

Own property and interested in building or converting a space for family or visiting guests, or for bringing in renters? Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a great option to maintain the rural character of your property while doing your part to put a dent in Vashon’s housing crisis.

The Affordable Housing Committee of the Vashon-Maury Community Council will hold an ADU workshop from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Vashon High School cafeteria.

The workshop will cover the basics of ADUs and connect participants to planners and permit specialists from King County, financial institution representatives, ADU contractors, and information on septic regulations and water districts / wells.

Marine property class

The King Conservation District will host a free classes for property owners along the marine shorelines of King County, discussing the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning property “where the water begins.” The class will address concerns like erosion and maintaining vegetation to stabilizing slopes without sacrificing a nice view.

The class is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Camp Sealth (14500 SW Camp Sealth Road.)

Meet Ciscoe Morris

Oh, La La! The Vashon Maury Garden Club is bringing Ciscoe Morris to Vashon Theater this August. Ciscoe is a well known personality in the Pacific Northwest, featured regularly on King5 and New Day Northwest. On average, he gives more than 50 garden presentations every year.

Stay tuned for more details.

Soil testing program

Maury islanders who live in the shadow of the ASARCO smelter plume, in particular, will benefit from taking King Conservation District’s free soil testing program, available at kingcd.org/programs/better-soils/healthy-soil.

Equipment loans

Reserve a piece of King Conservation District equipment by visiting kingcd.org/programs/better-food/equipment-share-program.

Shore consultation

If you own shoreline property, you can reach out to Shore Friendly King County for a consultation on managing erosion on your property without the need for ecological disruptive bulkhead armoring. Learn more at shorefriendlykingcounty.org.

Helpful organizations

These island (and a few non-island) organizations can connect you to other locals who are interested in building and growing beautiful homes and gardens.

• Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club: vmigc.org.

• Vashon Island Growers Association: vigavashon.org.

• King Conservation District: kingcd.org.

• Vashon Team Septic / Septic Sisters: vashonteamseptic.org.

• Vashon HouseHold: vashonhousehold.org.

• Vashon Land Trust: vashonlandtrust.org.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS

Improve your home, save some cash and protect the environment with these home energy efficiency ideas from Puget Sound Energy.

• Grab the low hanging fruit: Keep windows locked and check for cracks in the window frames where caulking could keep cold air from seeping in. Lower your thermostat from your comfortable temperature when you’re asleep or out of the house. Change the filter in your furnace frequently. Wash clothes in cold water — heating water can account for 12% of an energy bill.

• Improving home insulation by sealing leaks and seams means you’ll spend less money on heating and cooling. PSE offers a bonus rebate up to $500 for those who combine multiple weatherization rebates in one project.

• You can earn a rebate on various efficient home heating technology from PSE by visiting pse.com/rebates. They include a $75 (or more) rebate for an Energy Star frontloading clothes washer and $200 (or more) for a heat pump clothes dryer. PSE also offers a $500 discount on select electric hybrid heat pump water heaters.

• PSE’s new “Multi-Occupant Solar” program incentivizes property owners to install solar arrays that help multiple occupants. Learn more at pse.com/en/green-options/multi-occupant-solar.

• PSE offers other options for improving energy usage and lowering bills at pse.com/lower.

The Vashon Septic Sisters, from left to right: Anne Atwell, Stephanie Begley, Jane Slade and Dione Mazzolini. (Courtesy photo)