The Environmental Science Center's mission is to educate the next generation of environmental stewards and strengthen academic achievement by providing hands-on, indoor and outdoor educational programs for K-12 students which align with the goals of the surrounding school districts. We offer school-day programs, primarily for K-12 students, including classroom lessons and field trips, after school programs, summer camps, and community presentations.
Moonlight Beach WalkBe sure and join us for the Moonlight Beach Walk on January 10, 2009. Our naturalists will be on the beach during the full moon at low tide to share information and guide walks. See our flyer for details. Nearly 50 people showed up for the December Event.
What's new at ESC:
- Public Phase of Capital Campaign launched to build state of the art Learning Center. Click the image on the right for a larger view
- Boeing Company grants major capacity building gift
- Read more…
Imagine a Learning Center for south King County families and schools surrounded by 178 acres of forested trails and right next to a freshwater stream with a salmon hatchery on almost a mile of saltwater shoreline!
Read more…
The Environmental Science Center (ESC) is the only community-based, not-for-profit environmental education organization in south King County with programs for all ages. With a primary focus on K through 12, ESC offers school-day programs including classroom lessons and field trips, after school programs, summer camps, and community presentations. Since its founding in 1999, rapid expansion in programs has led to an increasing number of program participants served, with more than 7,000 clients during 2007, up from 5,000 clients in 2006.
ESC designs multi-faceted learning experiences to foster healthy human development, and understanding, stewardship, and conservation of our environment. Our goal is to enable students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to learn about the complex interactions between people and nature in our rich marine and forest environments. By using the stunning settings of Seahurst Park and the watersheds of South King County for field trips, ESC strengthens the learning experience by adding a strong message of stewardship to protect the beautiful and diverse habitats of the region.
In spite of temperatures hovering right around freezing, occasional heavy rain and a wind storm, nearly 50 people showed up for the December 12th Beach Walk. Kids, parents and interested citizens spent about an hour and a half exploring the beach with flashlights, finding the creatures that are normally hidden. They learned about beach etiquette, marine life and much more. People for Puget Sound set up an awning at the top of the ramp so there would be a reasonably dry place to sign in and get oriented. And where coffee and hot chocolate were available to help warm people up.
It was a great experience, if you missed it there's another one at Seahurst Park on January 10, 2009. People For Puget Sound and various partners are also sponsoring several others, including on Vashon Island, on Bainbridge Island, in Olympia and Anacortes. See their Events page for details.
Thanks to People for Puget Sound, the City of Burien and the Seattle Aquarium for helping to sponsor this event.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The event was a great success with over 50 people showing up to pitch in. The group pulled ivy off of the old caretaker's house (site of the future ESC building) and a couple of nearby trees, removed several large holly trees, including one that was going to seed, and cleared blackberries and other invasives from two areas near the North Shelter. In one area ferns were planted to replace them. See SeahurstPark.org for details.