Welcome our newest staff member
Hi! I’m Joshua Christy, the newest member of the Environmental Education Program. I focus on supporting clubs (often called Green Teams) that want to promote sustainability in their schools. My background is in service-based volunteer programs that help channel the energy of youth into local service projects that they want to carry out.
 
I’ve helped youth organize and carry out invasive plant removals, tree plantings, trash pickups and many other local projects. I’m excited to help students learn how to observe their schools and communities, identify changes they want to make and take action that will lead to lasting change.
 
If you would like some help or support with your school’s Green Team or sustainability club please send me a message. 

When we asked teachers, students and other local organizations if they would like to attend a youth summit on the environment, their responses were a resounding yes!

Pierce County plans to host a Youth Sustainability Summit in 2020. A steering committee comprised of students, teachers, professors and local agency staff has formed and begun planning this unique event.

If you would like to learn more or stay informed, please email Stephanie Leisle.

Educator Workshops at Tacoma Nature Center
TNC offers teacher workshops to private groups in Growing Up Wild, Project Learning Tree, Project Wild and Northwest Terrestrial Animal Families. 
More info

PLACE-Environmental Education Community of Practice
Practice, Learn and Connect to the Environment.
For educators interested in Environmental Education
(3 clock hours available for every two sessions attended)

Fourth Tuesday of each month from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Tacoma Nature Center (1919 S Tyler St in Tacoma)
More info

February 29, 2020: Pierce Conservation District Native Plant Sale
(pre-order Nov. 1–Jan. 15), pick up Feb. 28–29
Walk up sale on Feb 29
More info

Tacoma EnviroHouse
Free hands-on Home and Garden Workshops throughout the year
More info

1. Always use the blank side of single-sided paper.
   My grandmother wrote her shopping lists on used envelopes from the mail. At work, I use the back of single-sided paper to record notes during meetings.
2. Wash and reuse zippered plastic bags.
   Like my mom, I routinely have plastic bags drying in the dish rack for reuse. When the bags wear out, I add them to my collection of other plastic bags (i.e. bread, grocery, cereal bags) and take them to a local drop-off location, typically a bin near a grocery store entrance. 

• Set-up a small station in your kitchen for non-curbside recyclables (i.e., plastic bags, metal and plastic lids, clamshell packaging, plastic trays). You can reuse some things for storage and when you are ready to recycle, take them to Tacoma’s Recycling Center and sort them into the appropriate collection bins.
• Use Pierce County's Recycling Menu to keep other unwanted household items and waste out of the landfill.

Remember: Never bag your recyclables!
There just isn’t time for workers to open the bags and empty them. Bagged recyclables get pulled off the sorting line at the materials recovery facility and are sent to the landfill.