2025 has been a bittersweet year for the Noxious Weed Control Program. After long careers with the Program, both the Program Manager, Steve Burke, and County Lands and Regional Supervisor, Roy Brunskill, made the choice to retire. To reflect on their time with the program, and to celebrate their incredible achievements, this post will reflect back on how the Program has grown since its inception in 1997.
The jump from 6 part time staff with paper maps and an inkling of where weeds might be, to 22 full time staff with GIS maps on their phone and a database of information was no fast feat. This change took time, and was largely thanks to community support, funding increases, specialized staff, and technological advancements.
Germination Era 1997-2003
By 1997 the team was established, but small. Over the next few years, seven seasonal staff shared four computers and a couple loaned vehicles. With a Thomas Guide map and printouts of past locations of weeds, weed specialists would head out into the field each day to find their sites. Their work focused on keeping the public safe from giant hogweed and protecting agricultural areas from tansy ragwort.
If you find yourself wanting to head back even further to the origins of the Noxious Weed Control Board in King County, take a look at our summary: Passing the baton at the King County Noxious Weed Control Board (and a little history).
1997
First Staff
Roy Brunskill is one of 6 seasonal noxious weed inspectors hired on, alongside the Program’s first full-time program coordinator, Jane Wentworth. Until this point, the program has a limited annual budget from the King County general fund. This is the first time that King County staffs a noxious weed program and their work begins with surveying and removing giant hogweed.
The King County Weed List at this time has 25 regulated weeds and 101 total weeds.
1999
First Assessment
King County Council passes the Noxious Weed assessment fund that shows up on property taxes at a whopping $0.85 per parcel (annual fee)– this is the funding channel that the program still relies on today!
2000
Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard, first detected in 2000, is recognized as a growing threat in King County. Program specialists apply for and receive grant funding to address the issue.
2000 & 2001
The Team Grows
Maria Winkler & Steve Burke join the team (they’re still with us today!). Steve is hired as the program manager in 2003.
Sprout Era: 2004-2007
With more weeds the program expands to include 12 staff, who continue to work 5-6 months seasonally to gather data. With tricky sites and difficult weeds, the program begins providing more technical assistance to landowners and land managers. Over time the program develops a deep technical expertise in best practices for integrated weed management.
2004
County Lands
Driven by complaints about weeds on public properties the county passes an assessment rate increase to bring on more staff and deliver increased weed coordination. Three new coordinator roles focus on county lands, federal/state lands, and aquatic weeds.
The King County Weed List at this time has 86 regulated weeds and 111 total weeds.
2005
Knotweed Expansion
Historic flooding in 1995/96 causes a knotweed explosion along the rivers. After a decade of spread, learning how to successfully treat the species with foliar spray, and extensive community outreach, program specialists are awarded grant funding to address the issue. This is the birth of the riparian team as we know it today! Learn more about that history from our blog: King County’s Knotweed Control Program
Seedling Era: 2008-2014
Garlic mustard and knotweed introduce new challenges, and the team grows to meet it. In the spring and summer growing season the team of 17 grab brand new handheld GPS units (replacing old backpack sized ones) and develop herbicide expertise for use on these hard to control species.
2008
Education Focus
It is becoming clear that some weeds (specifically knotweed) require professional control, and that our staff is a necessary tool to support landowners throughout king county on these specialized weeds. Education staff hired to fill the gaps beyond regulated weeds/talk about more widespread issues. Assessment rate increases to $2.10 per parcel.
The King County Weed List at this time has 91 regulated weeds and 127 total weeds.
2010
Knotweed Gets Serious
After years of tackling knotweed, it’s clear that a long-term strategy is needed to take on this region-wide challenge. With an assessment increase, the knotweed program shifts from entirely grant funded to also sharing funds from the Program general budget. This allows the team to hire seasonal staff aimed at knotweed control along the rivers.
Budding Era: 2015-2020
Big changes are afoot as noxious weed challenges grow as the county grows. The program adds capacity to address knotweed along the Skykomish River, devotes time to develop mapping and data systems, and provides more educational support to run trainings and events for the public.
Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council push the program to think even bigger, and the team develops the Healthy Lands Project. This project is an approach to ensuring that open space conservation lands can remain healthy and resilient. To build capacity for the Healthy Lands Project, staff transition to year-round contracts and take on new wintertime tasks.
2015 & 2016
Technological Advances
As smartphones become the norm, it’s time for the Program to evolve with the times. Assessment increase to $3.17 per parcel supports the teams transition from paper maps to smartphone-based mapping systems using ArcGIS.
The King County Weed List at this time has 91 regulated weeds 139 total.
2016
Grants for Knotweed
Along with the assessment increase, more grants are secured by the riparian team. By 2017 we have a full-time project manager and seasonal staff dedicated to knotweed control along the Snoqualmie, Cedar, and Green/Duwamish rivers.
2019
Healthy Lands Project (HeLP)
Healthy Lands Project (HeLP) is established creating capacity for the Program to support conservation lands that struggle under the burdens of regulated and non-regulated noxious weeds. HeLP expands our work beyond the typical season into the winter months, shifting seasonal roles into full time positions.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
Right as the new Healthy Lands program is about to take off, we are hit with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Field work hits a two week pause and general recovery goes slow as we work to adapt in a changing world.
Blooming Era: 2021-Today
Recovery from the initial pandemic shutdown is slow and impacts linger for years as the Program works to rebuild capacity and support the increased needs from communities. To do so, new investments are needed to bring on additional seasonal support and improve database systems. By 2025 the Program has seen major gains over the years, 82% of giant hogweed sites have been eradicated, control rates for Class A weeds reach close to 100% each year, the knotweed program controls 70 acres annually, and a generation of weed specialist have developed expertise and a community of practice devoted to protecting the lands and waters of King County. As Roy and Steve approach their retirements they look back at a magnificent career of public service not only in controlling weeds but in building the regional capacity to continue doing this good work into the future.
2023
Capacity Development
The assessment rate increase to $6.20 per parcel. This allows the Program to pay field staff more appropriately for their work based on conditions and responsibilities. Two term-limited-temporary staff hired to support knotweed projects and seasonal staff’s training during staffing changes.
2024
Database Upgrades
Database change from Sequel Server to Salesforce, GIS data manager hired (was previously a dedicated full time field specialist also doing data work, now re-hired as a separate role)
2025
Retirements herald a new Era
With Steve and Roy heading off to new adventures in retirement, the team looks ahead with renewed commitment to honor their past work by continuing to steward the landscapes that have been sustained by their efforts.
The 2026 King County Weed List will contain 101 regulated weeds and 160 weeds total.
Looking Forward
The King County Noxious Weed Control Program has been around for almost 3 decades. In that time, the Program’s strategy and focus have evolved to meet the needs of the community. As we experience the new dynamics that come with programmatic expansions and technology changes, we learn what is and is no longer needed. We’re able to expand our reach and focus to support the people and environment around us.
We hold gratitude for the community partners who have made the work possible along the way and we look forward to continuing the work to care for our community through environmental balance. Invasive species remind us that we constantly need to look beyond our borders and expand our connections every year!
If you’ve read this far, you are surely part of our story in one way or another. We wouldn’t be here without every person along the way.
Happy weeding!
I want to compliment you on creating this wonderful history of your team’s efforts, the weeds, the personalities, etc. throughout the years. Great article and very engaging!