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

Back to School with the Environmental Educators

As the season changes over to fall and school comes back into session, our Environmental Education team turns their focus toward creating meaningful changes in schools and local communities. 

Through lesson series and community classes tailored to the needs of those requesting programs, the team supports student and community-led action at a local level.

In Schools

Issues like food waste, alternative transportation options and access, and urban heat islands are just some of the topics our educators explore with students in Pierce County schools. After learning about a specific topic, students develop their own action plans that start to tackle these large-scale issues at a community level. 

This is a free service available to schools in Pierce County, and outside of Tacoma city limits. Schools in Tacoma work with EnviroChallengers.

In the Community

Custom programs are a great option for community groups like scout troops, volunteer organizations, civic groups or clubs who want to take action in the community. We also offer weekly Sustainable Solutions classes on a variety of topics. Learn about different programs offered by our Environmental Education team to get started.

Even for those of us not going back to school, fall is a great time to gather with friends and family to advocate for a cause, volunteer at local organizations, take a class, and much more.

Dr. Ayana Johnson developed the Climate Action Venn Diagram to help individuals identify what action to take toward meaningful change in their community. Take time today to identify what your meaningful action could look like.

The Sustainable Resources Division benefited from the efforts of three amazing interns this summer. Each intern worked on making sustainable, positive changes for our community by advancing our programs. They were part of a greater cohort of 13 interns across Pierce County departments. Learn more about Pierce County's Summer Internship Program.

Gavin Cole, Cole Burk, and Isabel Squier

Sustainable Transportation Outreach Intern

Gavin Cole

Western Washington University 

Environmental Studies, Geography and Leadership Studies

Over the course of this internship, I promoted the Bicycle Benefits incentive program.

I have been so fortunate to have had such a supportive team in the Sustainable Resources Division. That support has led to my ability to push my comfort zone beyond ways I anticipated and has resulted in me really growing as an employee, team member and member of my Pierce County community.

Sustainability Community Engagement Intern

Cole Burk

Western Washington University

Environmental Policy

I worked on getting community feedback for Pierce County’s Sustainability 2030 Plan to help inform future policy ensuring that community priorities are at the forefront.

This was truly one of the most life-changing experiences that has helped define my path forward in life. I have met so many wonderful employees and community leaders across the County, instilling a sense of pride that I didn’t have before. I feel honored to have worked among them.

Environmental Education Intern

Isabel Squier

Dartmouth College

Environmental Studies and Geography

My project this summer was to update an online outdoor learning spaces tool that allows educators to explore Pierce County parks and understand how they can implement outdoor education activities in local parks with their students. 

My experience with the County was incredibly rewarding. I was given the trust and flexibility to update the tool how I wanted and the opportunity to learn from the incredible educators and professionals that work in the Sustainable Resources Division.

Commit to a Puget Sound-Healthy Action

Commit to at least one Puget Sound-healthy action during September's Puget Sound Starts Here Month!

Every year, millions of pounds of toxic pollutants enter Puget Sound. Much of that pollution comes from runoff. When it rains, the water flows over hard surfaces like houses, parking lots, driveways and streets, picking up pollution along the way. This polluted runoff flows through ditches or storm drains and into local waterways. Most runoff is not treated.

Take action

Small actions by each of us can add up to cleaner, healthier water.

• Don't wait to inflate! Keep tires properly inflated.
• Don't drip and drive! Fix vehicle leaks right away.
• Take your car to a commercial car wash.
• Pick up pet waste and place it in the trash.
• Use natural yard care products like compost and mulch.
• Build a rain garden in your yard.
• Check the Puget Sound Starts Here events calendar throughout the year.

Learn about Puget Sound and find more ideas at PugetSoundStartsHere.org.

Learning Resources by the Environmental Educators

September 2024 Classes

Drivers: Be Alert for Back-to-School Season

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges drivers to be alert as children head back to school.

• Around school buses: Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when a school bus’s yellow lights are flashing. 
• Around people walking: Drivers should always look out for pedestrians everywhere, follow the speed limit (watch for school zones!), and use extra caution when it is dark or in other hard-to-see conditions. 
• Around people on bikes: Drivers should give bike riders enough room on the road, be careful not to pass too closely, yield to bike riders, and look left-right-left and behind when turning right on red.

Do with us:

• ​Programs and events with the WSU Extension in Pierce County 
• “Saturday Garden Talks: Putting Your Beds to Bed" at Gig Harbor Demonstration Garden, 10-11 a.m. Sept. 14
• ​“Saturday Garden Talks: Saving, Storing and Sharing Seeds" at Puyallup Demonstration Garden, 10-11 a.m. Sept. 21
• Fall Fest children’s event at Puyallup Demonstration Garden, 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 5
• Get outside with Pierce County Parks:
• Learn about the Sprinker Recreation Center's Outdoor Improvement Project and head over to take a look!
• Take a survey by Sept. 15 to help shape the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan.
• ​Tacoma EnviroHouse September Home and Garden Workshops 
• Fix-it Nights at the Tacoma Tool Library, 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays
• Remakery at Pierce County Libraries:
• Teen Bug and Moth Embroidery, 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 10, Graham
• Plastic Bag Fusing, 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 19, Eatonville
• Check out our updated Outdoor Learning Spaces Interactive Map, an online resource that provides possible locations, lesson plans, and resources for outdoor learning all within Pierce County parks.  
• Explore the Washington Trails Association's Outdoor Leadership Training.
• Participate in Latino Conservation Week by attending a bilingual mindfulness walk with the Tacoma Tree Foundation at Swan Creek Park from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Sept. 22.
• Start thinking about planting a tree with the Pierce Conservation District Urban Tree Sale.
• September is National Preparedness Month. Get prepared with these Pierce County resources.

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter! Share your thoughts.