Archive for the ‘PECO Net’ Category

Spring Tree Programs

Posted by Chris Towe

There are two programs looking to help get discounted trees to residents this spring. The City of Tacoma, Pierce County, Pierce Conservation District, and other partners have teamed up to make it easy to purchase and plant trees.

Tacoma Tree Coupon
Two nurseries are accepting coupons from residents throughout Pierce County, who can get $15 off up to 5 trees. Vassey Nursery in Puyallup and Gardensphere in Tacoma are the two participating nurseries. Coupons expire April 1st so request yours now! Visit www.treesareamazing.org to get your coupon.

Tree Workshop and Discount Sale
On Saturday, February 27th the Conservation District is hosting its annual native plant walk-up sale. While there, get some tips from local arborists and Master Gardeners about trees and purchase large, discounted trees. Varieties include pear, apple, dogwood, magnolia, cedar, and many others.
Where: 5430 66th Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98371
When: February 27th, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

6th Ave Market

Children’s Water Festival Volunteers Needed

Posted by Chris Towe

The Tacoma-Pierce County Children’s Water Festival is March 15th at the University of Puget Sound. Over 1000 5th graders will be converging on the campus for a day of fun and learning related to water resources. The Teachable Moments blog, part of the Environmental Education Community of Interest, recently posted about the Festival. Volunteers are needed to guide classes ound and assist with the numerous activities that day. Visit the Pierce Conservation District website to download a volunteer form.
arWater 4 Life Logo 2015 update (2)

PECO Net Announcements

Posted by Chris Towe

A few of the announcements that came out of last week’s PECO Net meeting:

Nominations for Environmental Education Community of Interest steering committee are due November 25th. Contact Carrie Hernandez (chernandez@healthybay.org) with nominations. Committee members receive $1000/year stipends.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is developing a new environmental learning center on site, involving the Science and Math Institute. It will feature classroom and lab spaces. PDZA is also building a new aquarium, with the theme of sharing the ocean. They will promote stormwater and stewardship messaging, and are seeking input from partners on that messaging. Contact Amy Hale (amy.hale@pdza.org) for more information on this opportunity.

In 2016, the City of Tacoma is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Foss Waterway cleanup effort. They are looking to partner in existing/planned community events to spread this message. Contact Shauna Hansen (shansen2@cityoftacoma.org) for more information.

Harbor WildWatch are beginning their salmon tours on November 21st at Donkey Creek in Gig Harbor. They are also organizing a speaker series at Gig Harbor area bars and restaurants. Contact Lindsey Johnson (lindsey@harborwildwatch.org) for more information.

University of Puget Sound is housing an exhibit on soils at the Collins Library through December 4th.

Don’t Drip and Drive was funded for the 3rd phase of the campaign. A fall 2016 rollout is expected, and there will be solicitation for community partners to help promote the effort.

The Puget Sound Starts Here committee is taking on more of a leadership role after PSP has scaled back their contribution to the campaign. You can post events to the Puget Sound Starts Here website and the Facebook page as well. Contact Tiffany O’Dell (todell@co.pierce.wa.us) for more information.

The Children’s Water Festival is scheduled for March 15th, 2016 at the University of Puget Sound. This year the teachers have the opportunity to become Project WET certified. If interested in hosting a station or volunteering, contact Chris Towe (christophert@piercecountycd.org.)

Dave Ketter of Pacific Education Institute advertised training opportunities for the Drain Ranger curriculum and Next Generation Science Standards. Contact Dave if interested (dketter@pacificeducationinstitute.org).

Community Event Season

Posted by Chris Towe

It is that time of the year where community events pop up around Pierce County. Here is a quick list of some that are coming up where PECO Net partners will be involved. Let me know if there are others and I’ll be sure to add them to the list.

  • Northwest Outdoors Building at Washington State Fair in Puyallup
    Through September 27th
  • Kids fishing, archery, art activities and more

 

  • Salmon Homecoming
    Puyallup Hatchery (1416 14th St. SW, Puyallup)
    October 3rd from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    Salmon viewing, kids activities, food trucks, music and more.

 

  • Fall Family Garden Festival
    WSU Master Gardener Demo Garden (2607 W Pioneer, Puyallup)
    October 10th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Kids activities, music, composting, tree sale, healthy snacks and more.

 

  • Pierce County Library DIY Fest
    Sprinker Recreation Center (14824 C St S, Tacoma, WA 98444)
    November 7th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    Speakers, demonstrations, food and more.

 

  • Go Green Games!
    Puyallup
    Date: TBD
    Family event with games, exhibits, food and more.

You’re Invited – Go Green Games August 29th

Posted by Chris Towe

A very special event is coming to the Puyallup area on August 29th. The Go Green Games, hosted by WayOut Kids and Rodney Raccoon, will feature activities, competitions and entertainment that focuses on protecting the environment. There will be mascots on hand, including Rhubarb from the Rainiers and Blitz from the Seahawks. The event is looking for sponsors, vendors and volunteers to help make it happen. If you would like to register as a vendor or volunteer, please contact Paulette Peterson at Tahoma Audubon (ppeterson@tahomaaudubon.org, 253.565.9129).

Go Green Games Poster

What: Go Green Games
Where: Meridian Habitat Park and Community Center (14422 Meridian East, Puyallup, 98375)
When: Saturday, August 29th

Youth Garden Educator Workshop

Posted by Chris Towe

WSU is hosting a two-day workshop for educators working with youth on garden projects. Master Gardener Volunteers, 4-H leaders, elementary school teachers and all others in Pierce County who work with youth in gardens are invited to participate in this hands-on training. Topics include:

  • Preparing your community and planning for a successful youth garden Practical youth garden design and plant selection
  • Experiential learning model and outdoor classroom management
  • Connecting garden education with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards
  • Garden activity examples

When: June 27th and 28th
Where: WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (2606 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371)

The cost for the workshop is $75, and clock hours are pending approval. For more information, visit ext100.wsu.edu/pierce/

WSU Garden Education

Harvest Pierce Annual Spring Summit May 2nd

Posted by Tara Knutsen

Harvest Pierce County to Host 6th Annual Spring Summit

Celebrate our local food system and learn local gardening techniques

HarvestLogo_PCD_hi

Micaela Cooley

micaelac@piercecountycd.org

(253) 278-6215

 

March 30, 2015

 

Tacoma, WA- If spring has you eager to start gardening, mark your calendar for Saturday May 2nd and join Harvest Pierce County for our 6th Annual Spring Summit hosted at Lincoln High School from 10am-2pm. We invite you to celebrate our local food system, learn about sustainable living, and hopefully make new friends in the process.  Heather Flores, author of “Food Not Lawns,” will be this year’s keynote speaker and looks to inspire Pierce County to turn itself into a “paradise garden”.

 

“This free, family-friendly event is so important to building the skills and resources for a community interested in harnessing the abundance it has available to them,” says Ryan Mello, Executive Director of the Pierce Conservation District. “Come celebrate the abundance of Pierce County on May 2nd for this day of skill-building and community.”

 

Classes will include Urban Foraging, Fermenting, Container Gardening, Sharing Economy, and much more. The Lincoln High School Plant Sale will take place with purchases supporting student efforts and providing you with vegetable starts of your own.  The event is free to all and includes a delicious lunch. Please visit www.harvestpiercecounty.org to reserve your spot.

 

Youth between the ages of 6-16, or folks who are connected with youth programming which values healthy eating or gardening, are encouraged to join the youth track happening alongside the Summit. Hosted by Sustainable Roots, a program of Northwest Leadership Foundation, the youth track focusses on empowering youth to engage with their food system and celebrate healthy eating. This is an excellent opportunity to engage children in the rich world of growing food and a great way to connect with other programs in the county which connect youth to the food system.

 

Harvest Pierce County is a program of the Pierce Conservation District that supports 70-local community gardens and the gleaning program, which combined, help donate over 100,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown food to Pierce County food banks and school districts annually.

 

6th Annual Spring Summit

Saturday, May 2nd

10am-2pm

Lincoln High School

701 S 37th St, Tacoma 98418

 

www.harvestpiercecounty.org

8th and I Community Garden photo

Puget Sounds Like Fun Day – Saturday, March 14th

Posted by Karen Gogins

Come celebrate at the first annual Puget Sounds Like Fun Day! This FREE event features fun for the whole family including art and educational activities for kids, hands-on science exhibits, a clean boating workshop, live music and great food. Join us at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm to celebrate clean boating and a healthy Puget Sound!

 

Puget Sounds Like Fun Day

Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Key Peninsula Civic Center

17010 S. Vaughn Road KPN, Vaughn

 

Puget Sounds Like Fun Day