Vote Csenka

UPDATE: As of 2/18, I have 51.39% of the vote, and still have a healthy lead of 17 percentage points over the next candidate!

It looks like a win is likely, but I am still not counting my chickens, especially since we don't know exactly how many ballots were mailed in on top of the online votes. The mail-in ballots will continue to be counted until the 28th of February.

In other news, we have surpassed last year's total votes so far by almost 40%!! King County's ballot return data shows that over 13,700 people cast ballots this year, compared to 10,001 last year! That is a HUGE accomplishment in and of itself. But, while we can celebrate that we've officially reached 1% of eligible voters in the county, it's clearly still not enough. We've got to continue to push to get this election on the general ballot.

Initial results are in, and they're looking very good! As of 2/14 I have about 52% of the votes that have come in!

I'm optimistic, but there are still many ballots to be counted. Ballots that were mailed in will continue to be counted through the end of the month.

Regardless of what happens, I am so honored to have earned the support and trust of so many voters in this election! Whether I take on this position or not, I will continue to do the work to conserve and protect our working and natural lands, and build more resilient communities.

If you've been waiting for a sign from the universe to vote for Csenka for King Conservation District Board of Supervisors, this is it!

You only have 24 hours left to vote! Head to my link in bio and vote now!!

It seriously only takes 2 minutes and is such an important way to use your voice!

I could not be more honored to have earned the endorsement of our one and only Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz !

Go to www.kingcd.org/votenow to submit your ballot before February 14th at 8pm!

Commissioner Franz knows firsthand the challenges that landscapes and communities are facing across the state in an ever-changing climate. I so appreciate her vote of confidence in me to take on some of those same challenges at the local level through the work of the King Conservation District .

ENDORSEMENT: I'm proud to support Vote Csenka for King Conservation District Board of Supervisors. If you live in King County, make sure to vote electronically by Feb 14! Link below.

Csenka is a dedicated public servant who is deeply committed to conserving our natural and working landscapes. Our communities face unprecedented challenges due to the climate crisis and local level action is critical to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. I have personally seen Csenka's passion and courage when it comes to fighting for our environment and communities.

This is a low-profile election that has big impacts for our lands and waters. So make sure to exercise your right to vote!

You can cast your vote in just seconds at: https://kingcd.org/about/board-of-supervisors/elections-and-appointments/

Just one week left! Vote today!

Did you catch the candidate forum last week? It was a great event where each of the candidates got to share more about their platform and ideas.

I got to share ideas for partnerships with schools, why the conservation district needs to do more to encourage carbon sequestration and storage, and that Rachel Carson inspired me from a young age!

If you missed it, you can watch the recording online! Link in bio.

A week into voting, 5,800 people have cast a ballot in the King Conservation District Board of Supervisors election. While this is more than this time last year (which is great!), it's still hovering around 1% of voters in the county.

That means you likely know more people who have NOT voted than have voted! So, spread the word! Talk to your friends, family, communities and make sure they know to vote before February 14th.

If they need more information about what a conservation district does or how to vote direct them towards my page or www.kingcd.org.

Very lucky to have spent the weekend with the inspiring Jackson Fellows network at the beautiful Islandwood. An amazing opportunity to reset and focus on goals for this year, including hopefully putting some good energy out there for this election!

Be like these folks!

Go to www.KingCD.org/votenow (link in bio) and learn for yourself how easy it is to vote for me for King Conservation District Board of Supervisors!

Now's the time! Vote for Csenka in the King Conservation District Board of Supervisors election.

Vote now!!

Remember, only about 3,000 people vote in this election, in a county of roughly 2 million! Spread the word and tell two friends who have never voted before to vote!

Save this post for all the info you need to vote! Voting opens this week!

I posted a video with my top 5 priorities at a high level, but you may be wondering what it all means. If you're looking for a deeper dive, here's some more information on what I would focus on if elected.

1. Increase access to existing programs and services.

I want to make sure that all communities are aware of the services that the conservation district provides, including those in more urban environments that may not typically "see" themselves in the conservation district (like people living in apartments!) and BIPOC and marginalized communities who may have encountered barriers to access and participation. I'd also like to increase outreach to these and other communities to listen and ensure that the programs and services that do exist are relevant to their needs.

2. Create and incentivize pathways to landownership for marginalized or historically and systemically oppressed communities or individuals.

Currently, the vast majority of (forest and farm) landowners are white, male, and typically older. This concentration of power comes as a result of the history of white supremacy in our country and state, and it's time to address it. More diversity in landownership will help to ensure that more diverse management goals and values are represented across the landscape, which can lead to healthier ecosystems. Cost is a significant barrier, particularly in King County, but there are other barriers around the process of becoming a landowner that I believe the conservation district could play a role in addressing.

3. Increased Tribal engagement and partnerships, including around access to first foods and food sovereignty.

There are so many different ways that the conservation district can engage with, learn from, and support Tribes in our region, and I'd like to make sure those are fully explored and resourced. First foods and food sovereignty are natural fits within the conservation districts existing focus areas, but there are many more! I've reached out to the Snoqualmie, Muckleshoot, and Duwamish Tribes to hear their thoughts on what the conservation district could offer.

4. Facilitate and incentivize increased carbon sequestration and storage in local lands and waters.

This doesn't appear to be an explicit focus in the existing programs and focus areas, but it should rise to the top! There are so many funding opportunities tied to carbon financing that could be taken advantage of by communities and organizations across the county, but it is confusing and complicated terrain to navigate. The conservation district could provide resources and support to demystify the process of entering carbon markets.

5. Advocate for conservation districts to be included in the general election, and other election reform.

King County's population is over 2 million, and yet only roughly 3,000 people vote in the Conservation District Board of Supervisors election. Considering the conservation district spends taxpayer dollars and provides resources and services to people across the county, this is a huge problem! A statutory change is necessary to get conservation district elections on the ballots that folks are used to, rather than through an independent system and at a different time in the year. Luckily I've got lots of experience crafting and advocating for statewide legislation!

Plan to tune in on January 26th at 7pm for a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County!

Check out the link in my bio for the details, including how to submit a question! You can register for the zoom webinar, but it will also be live streamed on YouTube.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the other candidates, and of course, showing you why I should earn your vote!

Every new year, my tradition is to head to in Seattle, pick out a new Moleskine notebook, and a few books to read... eventually. Probably. The Best American Science and Nature Writing anthologies are always a favorite, but I go for some new ones each year too. Can you sense the theme in my choices? 😂

I'm fascinated by how plants and animals interact, especially with a growing body of research showing that many species are more cooperative than competitive. We can learn so much from nature, if we choose to listen.

What is a conservation district, exactly?

Conservation districts promote responsible stewardship of natural resources.

They do this by providing resources, technical assistance, or funding for communities to take actions that make our water, air, soil, landscapes, and habitats healthier.

What does this mean for you? It means that you have a place to look when you want information on how to restore streamside habitat on your property, or want resources to learn more about encouraging pollinators in your backyard. It means you might be able to get funding for conservation practices, or get a great deal on some native plants!

Conservation districts are here to serve you as we make our community more sustainable and equitable.

"More than ever before, our outdoor spaces, natural resources, wildlands, and waters not only offer refuge and comfort, but also represent critical solutions to climate change, urban heat, and food insecurity. With our growing population and expanding cities, we must learn to balance the many roles that our environment plays and the benefits it provides.

I believe in responsible stewardship of our working lands and forests, and protection of our most precious natural areas. To me, this transcends urban and rural, suburban and central. Our city trees that provide shelter from the heat are as vital as the farms that feed us; the forests where we hike are as important as those that become wood for our homes.

With a decade of natural resource management and conservation experience, I know firsthand the challenges that we face, and what it will take to build a more resilient and equitable King County."

To read my candidate statement in full, follow the link in my bio.

Welcome! My name is Csenka (the "Cs" is like "Ch") and I am running for Position 3 on the King County Conservation District Board of Supervisors.

I am a passionate environmentalist with a decade of experience in conservation and natural resource management. I am ready and beyond excited to serve YOU in this position!

First, a little about me:
1. I grew up in Pittsburgh, but I've lived in Seattle since 2015 (after stints in Toronto and Budapest, among other places!). The first thing I noticed about Seattle is how clean the air smelled 🌬️
2. I love hiking and taking in all the beauty that our natural world has to offer.
3. My favorite place in the world is on a ferry, ideally headed to the San Juan Islands.
4. I'm claustrophobic, but I (temporarily) conquered my fear at the Ape Caves earlier this year.
5/6. I like to hang out with my pod (J pod, that is).

Stay tuned for information on the election, including how to vote, and just what the Board of Supervisors does exactly!