Every fall, we welcome a new AmeriCorps member into the Environmental Education program as they begin their 10.5 month term of service. It’s a great opportunity for young professionals to get experience and put their education into practice. They bring energy and ideas as they tackle their work in new and inventive ways, and build skills along the way. The 10.5 month term also means we have to say goodbye the following summer. 

Connor Runyan recently ended his term with us as Conservation Education Specialist. During his time with us, Connor played a key role in helping the salmon in the schools program get off the ground. He helped schools manage their tanks, delivered lessons for the students, and organized several days of salmon release field trips. He also handled the bulk of our Envirothon program, a natural resources competition for high school students in Pierce County and statewide. 

Join us in thanking Connor for a great year of service and wishing him the best of luck in his next adventure!

Although the school year has ended, PCD’s educators have had a busy start to the summer with lots of outdoor learning!

The summer offers great opportunities to get kids outside for hands-on environmental science To kick off the summer we partnered with the YMCA summer learning program at Giadruone Middle School for a field trip to Swan Creek. Kids walked the trails, looked at bugs, and played field games in the park. In late July we held our Salishan Eco-Camps and we explored Swan Creek Park with campers from the neighborhood. 

Salishan Eco-Campers work on their nature bingo out in Swan Creek Park.

The City of Tacoma’s EnviroChallengers joined us for both programs. Their activities covered topics like trees and stormwater.

We are also partnering with local churches and city parks departments for fun day camp activities. At these camps we show off our watershed model and invite kids to create art about preventing pollution.

Keep an eye out for our educators your community this summer!

It was quite the 2021-22 school year for the PCD Environmental Education team. We enjoyed returning to schools to work with teachers and students again. Throughout the school year, we involved over 2,100 students in our programming!

Here are some highlights from a busy year: