The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners has named Magnolia resident Donna Kostka as its seventh member.
The entity is a seven-member citizen board created by the City Charter. Three members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council; three members are appointed by the council; and one is appointed by the Parks board.
"This was the first time the board has been in the position of choosing a member," said board chair Terry Holme, "and we focused on providing a solid foundation for the selection process for the benefit of future boards. We were extremely impressed by the highly qualified candidate pool and their broad parks experiences. We look forward to working with Donna Kostka, knowing that her extensive career and volunteer parks expertise will enhance the board and our work."
Kostka brings to the commission more than 40 years' experience in professional and volunteer roles in environmental and park planning, public outreach, environmental-impact analysis and habitat restoration. She is a co-founder of Heron Habitat Helpers, the group that advocates for and volunteers at the Kiwanis Ravine, home to Seattle's largest nesting colony of Great Blue Herons.
Kostka is retired from the adjunct faculty at Antioch University, where she taught environmental policy, regulation and law. She has served on the Discovery Park Advisory Council, as public outreach coordinator for 30 national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries in eight states; and holds a Ph.D. in outdoor recreation planning and ecology. She is also an accomplished watercolorist specializing in illustrating wildlife, habitat and landscapes, and exhibits in varied venues and juried shows.
The Board of Park Commissioners meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month to advise the Parks and Recreation superintendent, the mayor and the City Council on parks and recreation matters.[[In-content Ad]]
