Educational & Engagement Opportunities – Alliance for a Healthy South Sound

The AHSS seeks to support education and outreach in the South Sound by highlighting events and materials for residents and visitors. If you have events, materials, or resources to share with the AHSS, please contact the LIO coordination team at ahss-lio@rossstrategic.com.

Engagement Opportunities

Nisqually River Council (NRC) – The NRC represents tribal, state, federal, and local governments to coordinate conservation, restoration, and natural resource management activities in the Nisqually Watershed. The council meets on the third Friday of the month from 9am-12pm at locations throughout the Nisqually watershed. Meetings are free and open to the public!
Nisqually Stream Stewards (NSS) – The Nisqually Indian Tribe and Nisqually River Council provide free classes, open to the public for those interested in learning about the Nisqually Watershed. You can find the 2024 course schedule HERE.
Black Hills Audubon – Join the Black Hills Audubon in birding every Wednesday at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually Wildlife Refuge or consider attending a different birding event that BHA hosts!

Educational Resources

For All

Environmental & Sustainability Education Guide: If you’re looking for engaging presentations and programs, field experiences and action projects, volunteer opportunities, professional contacts, or places to visit – check out the Thurston ECO Network’s Environmental Sustainability Guide!
Recreational Shellfish Harvest Map: Looking for a way to combine your favorite outdoor activity with recreational shellfish harvest in South Sound? Check out the Alliance for a Healthy South Sound’s new interactive recreation map to explore public shoreline access spots in South Sound that are open to recreational shellfish harvest.

For Educators

Drain Rangers: Investigating polluted stormwater runoff in elementary grades | Pacific Education Institute
Engineering Solutions: Investigating polluted stormwater runoff for secondary grades | Pacific Education Institute
Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters: Field experience unit of study for grade 7 | Pacific Education Institute
Rain Gardens Stormwater Curriculum: Stormwater curriculum for grade 3 | Pacific Education Institute
Designing High Impact Field Experiences: Guide to help educators consider learning goals, locations and partners, activities, adjacent lessons, and logistics to help maximize a positive field experience | Pacific Education Institute
Nisqually River Education Project – Field experiences and teacher training on watershed-based education and environmental action projects for students.
Why do Birds Live Where They do – An educational video on birds native to the Puget Sound.

For Homeowners

Guide for Homeowners with Septic System: Learn more about how you can help protect water quality in South Sound by taking care of your septic system
Go Native! Guide to Creating your Own Native Plan Landscape for the South Puget Sound – Pierce County Parks and the Puyallup Watershed developed a guide for homeowners to properly restore habitats and diversify your backyard with native plants.

Partners

Black Hills Audubon – A chapter of the National Audubon Society and represents Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties.
Nisqually River Council – Serves as the advisory committee for the Nisqually Lead Entity focusing on sustainability in the Nisqually Watershed (WRIA 11) an important basin in the South Puget Sound Region. The NRC mission, as laid out in the Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan, is to create sustainability in the Nisqually Watershed for current and future generations by developing a common culture of environmental, social, and economic balance.
Thurston ECO Network – Is a diverse community of local education, communication, and outreach professionals working collaboratively to protect and enhance the health and vitality of the Thurston County Region.
South Sound Green – A watershed education program in Thurston County that educates, empowers, and connects over 60 classrooms and thousands of students in watershed studies annually.
Pacific Education Institute – A 501(c)(3) nonprofit working statewide to achieve systemic change in Washington State by helping educators embed STEM education in their classrooms, schools, and districts.