This edition of the Earth Matters newsletter is brought to you by the Pierce County Environmental Education Program. Learn more at PierceCountyWa.gov/EnviroEd.

Interns Advance Sustainability Goals

The Office of Resilience and Climate Action (ORCA) welcomed four dedicated interns this summer who supported projects advancing Pierce County’s Sustainability 2030 goals.

They contributed fresh perspectives, conducted community-focused research, and helped develop resources that strengthen local climate resilience and environmental education. They were part of a larger Pierce County intern cohort.

Hannah Buckhalter

Master's in Environmental Science,

Texas Christian University


Hannah contributed to our Outdoor Learning Tool, an ongoing project to connect teachers with local parks and lesson plans investigating nature.

Olivia Brune

Bachelor's in Education 
& Environmental Studies,

University of Washington

Olivia created curriculum for 6th grade students to investigate the ecology of the Pacific Northwest.

Sophia Bender

Bachelor's in Environmental Studies, 
University of Washington

Sophia conducted an analysis of climate goals and policies across 22 cities and towns in Pierce County to investigate opportunities and barriers for cross-jurisdictional collaboration on climate action.

Jon Cook

Master's in Sustainability Science and Practice,

Stanford University

Jon developed a Home Energy Decision tool that guides low and medium-income Pierce County residents to applicable energy assistance, rate discount, weatherization, and energy efficiency rebate programs.

Environmental Education Team 
Expands Efforts in 2025

ORCA’s Environmental Education team expanded its efforts to promote Pierce County’s Sustainability 2030 and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan over the past year through robust community engagement, K-12 education, and youth empowerment.

The team reached more than 15,000 community members through hands-on activities, public workshops, and events.

Learn about our Community Programs and our Earth Matters Series.

We worked with school districts across the county to engage students in learning about the ecology of the Pacific Northwest and to improve the sustainability of their schools and communities.

Learn about our School Programs.

Pierce County youth took action to address climate change by attending Climate Cafés, the county’s first Youth Climate Summit, and the Youth Film Festival. Each event offered youth creative, inspiring spaces for dialogue, art, and action. 

Learn about our YESS Network.

Congratulations to Evergreen Lutheran High School, which has initiated a comprehensive food waste collection system on campus!  

Food waste is separated from other waste during the day, then collected by LeMay and taken to the LRI Compost Factory for processing.

This new approach to reducing the school’s waste supports recent Washington organics management laws that aim to divert organic materials away from landfills through prevention, food rescue, and composting. 

Schools located in a BOMA (Business Organics Management Area) that dispose of a certain volume of organic materials are impacted. Per the law, by January 2026 businesses and schools that generate at least 96 gallons of organic material waste per week must arrange for organic material management service. 

Facilities Manager Ricky Pasillas and Principal Evan Kolander worked with Pierce County staff to implement the changes at the beginning of the school year.

"When we realized there was an opportunity to get ahead of the game and start collecting food waste without having to make sweeping changes to how we do things, it was an easy decision," said Principal Kolander. "There have been some hiccups with students having to remember to pay attention to where they are putting things. However, good signage, consistent bin placement, and encouraging verbal reminders have helped."

Ready to get started?

Pierce County offers recycling assistance to schools and can provide bins, signage, and guidance to help schools train staff and students on proper organics sorting. We are here to help!

Put Down Roots with a New Tree  

Trees benefit our community in many ways. They fight climate change, provide shade, clean our water and air, improve our mental and physical health, provide habitat for wildlife, and even reduce crime rates.  

Fall is an ideal time to plant trees in the Pacific Northwest because cooler temperatures and increased rainfall help roots establish before the dry summer months. 

• Check out Tacoma Tree Foundation for information about tree selection, location, planting, and maintenance.
• Visit Pierce County's tree webpage for information on tree giveaways and sales near you.

"Waste Less, Celebrate More" this Winter

Join us for festive and practical classes designed to help you celebrate the season without all the waste during our Waste Less, Celebrate More: A Holiday Sustainability Series.

From gift wrapping alternatives to sustainable decorations, food waste tips, and creative reuse ideas, you’ll learn simple, joyful ways to reduce your environmental impact during the holidays.

Visit PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMattersSeries to view the full schedule and register.

Event Focuses on Sustainable Fashion

Participants at our Nov. 1 Clothing Swap & Mending Event had the chance to swap used clothes, mend their favorite pieces, convert skinny jeans to bell bottoms, and donate old textiles to support Wet Noses Foster Paws and NW Furniture Bank.

About 805 pounds of clothing will have new homes thanks to the event. Most items were swapped and the rest will be donated to Parkland Community Center's upcoming rummage sale.

Thank you to our event partners The Chayah Movement and Remakery.

The event was part of our Behind the Seams: The Hidden Co$t of Fast Fashion series. The series featured information on the system of fast fashion and how we can take a positive role in the complex solution.

Read with us:

• Encouraging Acceptance of Wildlife Habitats, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Tips for getting your neighbors, HOA, or landlords on board with transitioning your yard into a wildlife habitat.
• Wildlife We Throw Away, National Wildlife Federation Blog: How intentionally leaving fallen leaves in your yard benefits wildlife.
• Recycling Fall Decor Made Easier, The Seattle Times (Possible paywall)

Watch with us:

• My Transit Story, Pierce Transit: Transit stories from Pierce Transit customers.
• Food Security Solutions in a World of Climate Extremes, Food Tank and World Food Program USA: Recording from a Climate Week NYC event.

Listen with us:

• The Understory, KNKX Public Radio: Listen to interviews with “five local authors about the admiration and curiosity they have for their subjects: the trees all around us.”

Do with us:

• WSU Food Systems Food Preservation Winter Lunch and Learns: Nov. 20, Jan. 15, and Feb. 19 from noon–1 p.m. online.
• Fix-it Nights: Every Thursday from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Tool Library.
• Create & Certify: Create a wildlife-friendly landscape and certify your garden with the National Wildlife Federation.
• Food banks in our area provide much needed food to our neighbors. Make your donation count! Check out tips on what typically can be donated and what should be avoided and find out the top 9 items food banks typically need.

For Teachers:

• Outdoor Learning School upcoming courses: Supporting innovation in learning outside.
• EcoSchools U.S. program resources have been updated to support schools and districts. Almost 200 EcoSchools have already created action plans to drive their student-led sustainability work.