Community Connections

Community Connections for Tacoma 

Stormwater in Tacoma 

For more details on the specifics of what happens to stormwater in Tacoma, and the specific watershed it travels through, check out these City of Tacoma websites: 

• City of Tacoma –  Tacoma’s Stormwater System
• City of Tacoma –  Watersheds  
• City of Tacoma –  Prevent Stormwater Pollution  

One major example of stormwater treatment using soils, plants and natural processes is the   Stormwater Treatment Facility at Point Defiance Park

Tacoma’s Watershed Planning website provides more information on their approach to stormwater management

Climate Change in Pierce County

For a good outline of environmental impacts of climate change in Pierce Co, see: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/5558/Climate-Change-Resilience  

Tacoma Area Education Programs and Resources 

Tacoma EnviroChallengers

Lessons that connect to Community Waters:

• If it Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound: Down the Storm Drain (2 – 5, 50 minutes)
• 2-5-Tree: Why Plant a Tree? (2 – 5, 50 minutes)
• Save Our Salmon: Is Something Fishy Going on? (2 – 5, 50 minutes)
• Water, Water Everywhere: How Can You Keep it Clean? (2 -5, 50 minutes)
• To book a lesson: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/EnviroChallengersCityofTacoma@cityoftacoma.org/bookings/ 

• Videos from Envirochallenges 
  • Wastewater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cqxJwi4_60&list=PLHN0JO4EyqceC4pjSoRonJs-MPH6MqpVz&index=17 
  • Only rain down the drain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHCyd82g0x0&list=PLHN0JO4EyqceC4pjSoRonJs-MPH6MqpVz&index=20 
  • Stormwater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Nq3k_xGYE&list=PLHN0JO4EyqceC4pjSoRonJs-MPH6MqpVz&index=24 
• STEM career connections (more details TBD) 

Pierce Conservation District 

• MINI-GRANTS – https://piercecd.org/629/Green-Stormwater-Mini-Grants  
• Water programs for students- https://piercecd.org/DocumentCenter/View/1492/Water-Program-Outline
  • Rainy Day Hike: explore the school grounds to investigate where water is found and whether or not there is pollution entering the watershed. 
  • Soil programs - https://piercecd.org/DocumentCenter/View/1496/Soil-Program-Outline  
  • Soils as Sponges: investigate how different surfaces affect water infiltration around the schoolyard.
  • What’s in Soil?: investigate soil components, test soil properties and identify soil types. 

Salmon in the Schools

• Foss Waterway Seaport – https://fosswaterwayseaport.org/education-pages/salmon-in-the-classroom 

Stormwater Solutions Projects in Tacoma

Cheney Stadium

Cheney Stadium Sustainable Stormwater project – https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=68039; includes permeable asphalt, Green Stormwater Infrastructure 

Pervious Surfaces 

• iDEA School – “Advancing Permeable Pavement Project”
• Wapato Pervious Streets  
• Larchmont District project (near Larchmont Elementary) 
• Madison District project  
• Depave Puget Sound – Feast Arts Center

Rain Gardens 

• Bioretention – Pacific Ave Streetscapes 
• Cheney Stadium (see above) 
• Orcas Love Raingardens participating schools  

Trees

• StoryMap – “Tacoma Community Forestry” from City of Tacoma Urban Forestry
• GRIT project – makes south Tacoma a focus neighborhood
• Tacoma Public Utilities tree program  

Rainwater collecting 

• Enviro House – City of Tacoma  

Greenroof

• Tacoma Green Living Guide ArcGIS Map
  • Pacific Plaza – 1250 Pacific Ave (downtown)
  • Center for Urban Waters – 326 East D St 
  • Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Hospital – 5400 N Pearl St
• Article about Pacific Plaza’s green roof

IslandWood Programs

School Overnight Program

This program extends classroom learning to the real world, engaging elementary-school students and their teachers in a hands-on exploration of stewardship, environmental learning, and teamwork. For four days and three nights, students use the environment as a catalyst for learning, practicing critical thinking and actions that build awareness for the well being of both people and our planet. The School Overnight Program is aligned with 4th-6th grade learning standards.

To support equitable access, we offer scholarships, have a Gear Library and support teachers’ recruitment efforts with at school orientations for students and parents (based on location; virtual options also available).

Cost: Scholarships are offered based on % low income; Outdoor Schools Washington has funding as well.

Other Programs Related To This Unit

Free Federal Lands Passes from Every Kid in a Park

This federal program offers free national lands passes to all 4th graders. Take advantage of this offer to provide free passes your students could use with their families or on a school trip to a national park.  Visit the website for field trip connections and a link to get passes.