Eastside Audubon Society (EAS) of Kirkland’s Environmentalist of the Year has been awarded to Sharon Rodman for her work with native plants in Kirkland parks and private gardens.

On Thursday evening, at their annual volunteer dinner, EAS honored Rodman for her leadership in establishing native programs in the Kirkland area.

Sharon established the first Washington Native Plant Stewardship program and the Growing Wild Program to promote introduction of native plants into private gardens. She is also the city of Kirkland’s Green Kirkland Partnership Supervisor and has established a community volunteer program committed to restoring habitat in degraded natural parkland areas.

In just one year under her leadership, more than 2,000 volunteers served more than 10,000 hours to restore 30 acres of natural habitat, including planting over 3,000 native trees and plants. Volunteers currently work in 11 Kirkland natural area parks, with many volunteer event opportunities.

Through the Washington State University (WSU) Extension of King County, Sharon managed such programs as Wetlands and Wildlife, Wetland Community Link, and Land-Water Stewardship. In 2006, she coauthored with Sarah Gage the publication A Centenary Survey of Plant Life in Washington: Retracing the 1892 Collecting Trips of Louis F. Henderson. Published by Washington Native Plant Society.