Heroes for Nature Gala-March 4th
Come one, come all for a night of fun, food, and fundraising! We formally invite you to the Heroes for Nature Gala to support the Environmental Science Center and our mission of environmental education. This event sold out last year-register today!
Last day to register: February 15th
The Environmental Science Center (ESC) is a nonprofit organization offering experiential environmental education programs for all ages at local beaches, streams, forested areas, and school gardens throughout south King County. Our goals are to inspire and foster environmental stewardship actions for all program participants, and to offer knowledge and resources for communities to deepen their relationship with their local environment. ESC was founded in 2000 after a group of educators wanted more students to experience environmental education outdoors. The organization now supports environmental stewardship for thousands of people through collaborations with a growing number of school districts, community-based organizations, municipalities, and individuals.
ESC recognizes that many communities in south King County – particularly Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrant/refugee, and low-income communities – have been systematically excluded from safe, positive outdoor experiences, and we are striving to change that. We aim to remove some of the barriers to these experiences by providing transportation and free or low-cost programs, and by working to create a safe and affirming space within our programs and in the broader community.
The Environmental Science Center operates from the traditional and stolen homelands of Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the dxʷdəwʔabš (“People of the Inside” – Duwamish), suq̀ʷabš (“People of Clear Salt Water” – Suquamish) and Muckleshoot Tribe. We recognize and honor the land itself and all tribal members of the past, present and future, including Indigenous teachers and scientists. We are grateful for the ways Indigenous Peoples continue to be caretakers of this land and all that live here, and we acknowledge how their stewardship was disrupted by the theft and colonization of their land. We strive to build reciprocal and respectful relationships with the land and its Peoples, and to be in partnership and solidarity with local Tribes and Indigenous communities. You’ll hear land acknowledgements at the beginning of ESC programs that differ depending on the location, age group and person delivering them. Find out more here.
ESC is committed to becoming an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization engaging our community in environmental education and creating safe and affirming outdoor programs for everyone. We are in the process of developing our racial grievance policy for staff, volunteers, and program participants which will be shared here shortly.
Check out our Facebook page for other news and events!
Remembering Sheri Barr
Join us in honoring Sheri Barr, who passed away last fall.
Time for a round of #WhatIsItWednesday! This alien-looking organism can be found near tree roots hanging into the Cedar River. Put your best guess to what this organism is in the comments below!
Some hints:
🐛This organism is a larval stage for an adult insect.
🔬This organism belongs to a group called macroinvertebrates. This is a group of animals without backbones (invertebrate) that can be seen without the aid of a microscope (macro).
🐟This organism is part of the diet of growing salmon in the Cedar River.
Dragonfly larvae?
Odonate species or mayfly are my guesses.
There are still spots available for our Bird and Plant Walk on Monday from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM! Have you ever wondered which species you can find at Seahurst? Have you ever wondered how the birds use the habitat at Seahurst? Then this is the program for you!
Take a guided walk in the park while learning about the birds and plants around you. Naturalists will share identification tips, species adaptations, and the importance of providing native habits. No knowledge or skill is required to join us for this FREE program. Registration is required online at: bit.ly/3WNsgar
Seahurst Park will always be one of our favorite #meditationmonday spots! The seawall removal has allowed for this stream to move water and nutrients from the top of the forest to the bottom. This resource exchange is part of what makes Seahurst a thriving ecosystem.
New year, new goals. Our goals for 2023 are to enjoy time outside and help our community do the same!
What are your nature, animal, or outdoor goals for the new year? Share with us in the comments for #StewardshipSaturday!
Before their winter break, students at Neely O'Brien Elementary School worked with ESC staff to pick up trash and debris on their campus. These students participated in our Salmon Heroes series and were inspired to do what they could to help the salmon. The students took what they learned from the field study program, came up with a solution, planned their own clean up, and picked up trash around school! Youth leadership in action!
It is #NationalBirdDay! Did you find the hidden animal in yesterday's post? The Song Sparrow has excellent camouflage to help it hide in plain sight.
Want to learn more about our local birds and how to identify them, even in hiding? Join us for our next Bird and Plant Walk on January 16th from 10-12 at Seahurst Park. This program is designed for birders of all knowledge levels. FREE with required registration at: bit.ly/3WNsgar
Let's a play new game for 2023! It is #WhereIsItWednesday ! There is a hidden animal in this photo. Can you find where it is?
Hints:
🐦This animal has wings.
🐦This animal has white streaks on its body, but has many regional variations in patterns and colors.
🐦This animal sings a song to communicate but also to defend a territory.
Have you seen the latest Let's Go Renton! guide from Renton Parks and Recreation? Check out ESC on page 31 for more on our expansion into the Liberty Park building! Find more at: bit.ly/3YrDiDi
Keep an eye out on our website, social media pages, and future parks and rec guides for all of the fun programs and resources we will be offering in 2023!
Happy New Year from the Environmental Science Center! We look forward to bringing you a new year of outdoor programming, restoration projects, and new community resources!
Share with us what events you would like to see us host in the new year!
While it might look like a rainbow, fireworks, or something to celebrate the new year, oil streaks on our roads pose a real hazard to the health and safety of the environment. For our #StewardshipSaturday, and last day of 2022, we want to hear your new year’s goals to help protect our community’s ecosystem.
Share with us your new year’s sustainability and stewardship goals for 2023!