Sam Star, one of Groundswell NW's core members, is receiving long overdue recognition as a Local Hero this year.

Sam has worked tirelessly to bring the sports field behind Salmon Bay School into new life, and has served on the Groundswell NW Board for the past 5 years, as Vice President and President. In 2005, Sam took a new role with the organization, serving as our first Executive Director. He has helped to create a bigger vision for our future.

Sam's experience obtaining grants, championing new projects, overseeing the mundane aspects of mailing lists and fundraising has solidified our organizational base, and made room for new partnerships and opportunities for "creating community parks and habitat" in the greater Ballard area.

Sam has journeyed a long way from his youth in Queens, NY. Leaving New York after high school, Sam fell in love with the beautiful Pacific Northwest while spending a summer in Olympic National Park. He worked as a trail maintenance volunteer with the Student Conservation Association. The northwest drew him permanently some nine years later.

Now he continues his dedication to environmental work with the ongoing effort to renovate the recess area behind Salmon Bay School, where his two children are enrolled.

Sam has become a key player in the further greening of Ballard.

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