After two years of work, the Puyallup River Watershed Council has successfully elevated the Puyallup – White River Watershed as a vital area of focus for ecosystem recovery, both for the region, and nationally. On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council unanimously voted to make the Puyallup River Watershed Council a new Local Integrating Organization (LIO), ensuring that recovery of the local ecosystem is community based and supported by local, state, and federal agencies.

In late summer, the world watched as Tahlequah (J35) carried and pushed her dead orca calf on a 17-day, 1,000-mile tour of grief. When she finally let her calf go, it could have been the end of the story, one of many tragic losses the Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Salish Sea have been suffering lately. But, instead of it being the end of a heartbreaking story, it’s become the beginning of a story of hope.

The District relies on the invaluable support of AmeriCorps service members every year. As we've rapidly grown of the last few years to deliver great programming to all of Pierce County, the importance and value of our AmeriCorps program has only increased. AmeriCorps members help us increase our impact and once again, for 2018 - 2019, we have a great new cohort of team members that you'll be seeing out in the community in a variety of ways. Please help us welcome them!