On July 15, the Tulalip Tribes MRC (WA) celebrated the groundbreaking of their new healthy walking trail, made possible through NACCHO’s 2013 MRC Challenge Award. Representatives from NACCHO attended the groundbreaking of the trail and stayed to learn about the tribes’ diabetes prevention efforts.

For the 2013 Challenge Award, the Tulalip Tribes MRC, in partnership with Tulalip Health Clinic Diabetes Care and Prevention Program, Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department, Early Learning Center, and Tulalip Tribes Elders Center, proposed a walking trail as a safe and central location on the reservation to increase physical activity. The trail will be about a half-mile long and encircle the clinic and a neighboring wetland area that will be planted with plants important to the native culture. The trail is another step in the tribes’ efforts to create a sustainable diabetes-free community. Current diabetes prevention efforts include using oral traditions, cultural activities, healthy foods, community-centered screenings, education, conventional treatment, and outreach that encourage a return to traditional ways while respecting individual needs and preferences. “The walking trail was an idea we had to connect everything in the community,” said Rochelle Lubbers, Tulalip Tribes Emergency Manager. “Multiple partners wanted to build a trail but the Challenge Award really gave us the ability to move forward with the project.” The trail is scheduled to be complete at the end of August. See below for a slideshow of photos from the event.

Additionally, staff met with Snohomish County MRC Coordinator Therese Quinn to learn about the county’s response to the Oso mudslide in March, including how MRC volunteers were used in the response and recovery. Staff also toured the Snohomish County EOC.