By KATIE SWICKARD

Believing that each individual can make a positive difference in the quality of life in our community, a new educational organization has been launched. On Tuesday evening The Alliance of South County Environmental Stewards (ACES) sponsored the seminar Your Incredible Edible Yard with an audience of 156 in attendance.

Willi Galloway, editor of Organic Gardening Magazine, taught techniques for integrating edibles into the landscape. Fun ideas for making traditional vegetable gardens more ornamental as well as tangible methods of growing organically were a hit with the audience. It’s projected that 7 million more American families plan to grow some of their own food this year. In fact, the expected total number of families growing their own food in 2009 is expected to be 43 million! With more and more people growing their own food, learning organic methods will help protect our health and our environment.

The mission of ACES, which is formed under the auspices of the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation, is to share educational resources to nurture a greater awareness and encourage protection, conservation and restoration of our natural environment, now and in the future. By partnering to bring this kind of top-notch educational events to our area, each group is able to pool resources and increase outreach.

Current members include the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation, the Covington Water District, the Cities of Maple Valley and Covington, Artistic Garden Concepts, Tahoma Future Farmers of America, SHADOW, Rainier Audubon Society and Maple Valley Bed and Breakfast.

Visit southkingcountyACES.com for information about more great events this spring.

Katie Swickard is a Water Resources Specialist at Covington Water District, a Washington State University Master Gardener and serves on the board of the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation. Learn more about conservation at

covingtonwater.com.