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 Co
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 – https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=177280
- Suggested lessons to connect:
- Why plant a tree?
- Why plant a tree?
- Down the Storm Drain: Where does the flow go?
- Save our Salmon: is something fishy going on?
- Water, Water Everywhere: How can you keep it clean?
- To book a lesson: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/EnviroChallengersCityofTacoma@cityoftacoma.org/bookings/
- Suggested lessons to connect:
- Videos
- 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 - 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.
Orcas Love Raingardens
- http://orcasloveraingardens.org/
- Participating schools > maintenance, and how’s your rain garden working?
- At-home activity packet and virtual field trip
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 FRL%.
Brightwater School Programs
IslandWood offers three different School Day Programs in partnership with King County at the Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville. Our programs engage students in hands-on investigations and real-world problem solving related to wastewater, storm water, ecosystem services, and environmental engineering.
Cost: Programs are provided for 3rd – 8th grade classes at no cost to schools and free transportation is available to qualifying schools (25% or greater free and reduced lunch rates).
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.