Environmental Education

Read about our Environmental Education with K-12 youth.

Sep 27

Students (and Salmon) Return to Hatchery

Posted on September 27, 2023 at 12:30 PM by Gracie DeMeo

The PCD education team is gearing up for another busy fall season! This year, every 4th grade class in the Puyallup School District will visit the Puyallup Hatchery for a field trip. PCD is partnering with the Puyallup Historical Hatchery Foundation to make this happen. The students will get to tour the hatchery, see eggs and alevin up close, and view spawning salmon in Clarks Creek. We're also excited because this is the first program our new volunteer docents will help with! These docents will help us reach more students and get more kids outside to learn about the environment. Visit our Volunteer Docent Program to learn more about this fun new opportunity to get involved with PCD.

A person with a PCD hat on points at a map of Puget Sound, showing salmon routes to 4th graders.

PCD AmeriCorps Member Maddie Snook shows salmon migration routes to 4th graders.
Jun 05

Walla Walla Claims Top Spot at State Envirothon

Posted on June 5, 2023 at 1:23 PM by Marlie Sloan

The students from Walla Walla High School hold their 1st place certificate.
The students from Walla Walla High School hold their 1st place certificate.

What a Wonderful Envirothon!

Soundview Camp on the Key Peninsula was the setting for this year's Washington State Envirothon competition. Teams from around the state descended on the camp to put their natural resources knowledge to the test, having earned their way through various regional events. As teams arrived, they explored the camp's trails and expansive shoreline, noting the sand dollars and jellyfish scattered along the shore of the Puget Sound. They made the most of the first day at camp, mingling with other teams through trivia, scavenger hunts, and a communal dinner. 

As they finished their breakfast the next morning, it was time to turn their attention to the task at hand. They dispersed to their testing stations scattered around the camp. From identifying wildlife skulls, to measuring tree diameter, and analyzing soil profiles, they tackled the challenging tests placed before them. They also presented their approaches to mitigating the effects of climate change to a panel of judges on behalf of a small waterfront town. 

When the pencils were down and the scores added up, Walla Walla High School had earned 1st place- in their first ever year of competing, no less! Following in 2nd place was Tesla STEM High School of Renton, and Avanti High School of Olympia placing 3rd among the 11 competing teams. It was another strong field, and we can't wait to cheer on Walla Walla as they advance to the North American Envirothon Competition in July! Great job to all the students.

Students gather at the camp's amphitheater for a trivia competition.
Students and staff gather at the camp's amphitheater for a trivia competition. 


A team roasts marshmallows together over the camp's fire.
A team roasts marshmallows together over the camp's fire. 


A group explores the beach and discovers aquatic life.
A group explores the beach and discovers aquatic life.


Students are smiling at the aquatics station.
Team Coho smiles at the aquatics station.
May 01

It’s a Wrap for Envirothon Regionals!

Posted on May 1, 2023 at 4:49 PM by Camila Matamala-Ost

CASEE High School takes home 1st place at the 2023 South Puget Sound Regional Envirothon
CASEE High School takes home 1st place at the 2023 South Puget Sound Regional Envirothon

The regional Envirothon competitions in Washington State ended last week, and now it is time for our winning teams to gear up for the state competition. Congratulations to all our South Sound Regional competitors for a job well done!

Results

What’s Next?

The state event will be held at Soundview Camp on the Key Peninsula on May 24th and 25th. This year we are excited to bring back the traditional 2-day event. Students will show up the day before the competition to take part in team building activities, study sessions, campfire hangouts, and of course, S’MORES! On the day two, ten teams from across Washington State will face off to determine who will take home 1st place. Let’s once again wish them the best of luck as they continue their journey as environmental stewards in this awesome natural resource competition!

Students tackle the wildlife test at the 2023 South Puget Sound Regional Envirothon.
Students tackle the wildlife test at the 2023 South Puget Sound Regional Envirothon.