My Commitment to the Environment

Dear Gig Harbor residents and neighbors,

It’s come to my attention that the anonymous Facebook page “Preserve Gig Harbor,” and one of their followers, have questioned my commitment to protecting Gig Harbor’s green spaces. Normally, I would reach out, listen to their concerns, and clarify my positions, but that doesn’t seem possible in this case, as there is no way to contact the page admin, and their website is flagged as unsafe. What I’ve realized, however, is that this is a great opportunity to share a bit about myself and why I first got involved with the City Council.

I grew up here, and like many of you, I’ve watched our tree canopy shrink and development expand over the past two decades. That experience is what led me to study ecological restoration at the University of Washington and dedicate my early career to hands-on environmental work.

As a member of the Washington Conservation Corps (AmeriCorps), I maintained public lands and participated in environmental cleanup throughout the Green Mountain and Tahuya State Forest areas on the peninsula. At the University of Washington, I led habitat restoration projects, collected hydrology and topography data, and helped advance long-term ecological goals. At the Port of Tacoma, I supported restoration and mitigation projects, produced strategic planning documents, and attended meetings with tribal leaders, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I also supervised field crews to ensure responsible stewardship of local habitats.

My decision to run for City Council comes from a deep concern about overdevelopment and the loss of our natural spaces. Long before becoming a candidate, I attended City Council meetings to raise these very issues because I didn’t feel our community’s environmental concerns were being heard. It’s worth noting that no one currently on the City Council has a background in environmental science or ecological restoration. Gig Harbor deserves that perspective, someone with both education and field experience who understands how our city has changed, and why sustainability is important both environmentally and economically.

I also went through a rigorous vetting process to earn the endorsement of the Environmental Coalition of Pierce County, an organization that recognizes candidates committed to protecting our natural resources and ensuring cities plan sustainably.

While I’m grateful for the encouragement of current and former city leaders, my positions are my own and they are rooted in preserving Gig Harbor’s green spaces, trees, and small-town character. My goal is to bring an environmental voice to the council table, not to advance anyone else’s agenda.

Residents have an important choice this election: to support a candidate with the education and professional experience to understand both the importance of our environment and the value of Gig Harbor’s history and culture. I believe that’s what most of us want for our community.

For those interested, I recently shared a short video with residents at Heron’s Key about why I entered this race. It captures my motivation and values, and I’d welcome everyone to watch and share it.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p15awp5C7yw&feature=youtu.be

I love Gig Harbor. It’s my hometown. I’m running for our environment, our community, and our future.

Warm regards,

Patrick MacLeod Ammann

Candidate, Gig Harbor City Council, Position 2