Check out our events calendar!
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.
#tbt to salmon spawning at Mary Olson Farm last year! See it for yourself at Salmon Fest this November!
For more information about this event, and our other FREE public programs visit our website at: bit.ly/3BXSKxH
Ducks are a common sight on our local bodies of water from Puget Sound to streams and rivers. They use their beaks to feed on underwater plants. While it is really tempting to feed these animals, for #WatershedWednesday we want to encourage our followers to watch from a distance. Some things that people use to feed ducks, like bread, can be harmful to the birds but also alter the water quality for salmon.
This is an easy stewardship action we can all take to protect our local wildlife and waterways!
What better way to spend the beautiful first day of October we had than with a presentation about the historical ecology of Puget Sound and beach walk to better understand our surroundings? Big thanks to David B. Williams, local author of Homewaters, for his wonderful talk and to Mid Sound Fisheries for the partnered beach walk to learn about restoration at Seahurst!
Thank you for partnering with us!
There are still a few spots left for our Salmon Migration Field Trip for ages 50+ next Wednesday, 10/12 from 10-2 with Renton Parks and Recreation! This FREE event will take you to different salmon viewing sites along the Cedar River and have a private behind the scenes tour of the Landsburg Dam and Hatchery. Sign up on the waitlist even if it is full as we have potential to add another van!
Transportation from the Renton Senior Center is provided for this event. Participants just have to bring a lunch to enjoy outdoors. Register online at: bit.ly/3f33kdT
Do you love books? Do you love supporting local businesses? Looking for more ways to take stewardship action for #stewardshipsaturday?
Page 2 Books is an independent bookstore in downtown Burien, and has offered an exciting opportunity to support The Environmental Science Center! Page 2 Books will donate 15% of all purchases back to The Environmental Science Center that are either made through our custom ordering website OR in the store when you mention The Environmental Science Center at checkout. They carry books, puzzles, games, art supplies, and much, much more. Orders event ship anywhere!
Follow the link to our custom site to support two local organizations and stewardship projects:
Environmental Science Center Bookshop
bookshop.org
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 thr...
Last week we hosted our first Owl Prowl at Seahurst! What a beautiful night to spend outside in nature learning about and searching for owls. Thanks to all of our participants and our birder Kevin from South Sound Nature School!
Check out our public programs page for our other FREE events at: bit.ly/3LLnp4E !
This was such a great event-Kevin is an excellent guide and I loved being in the park at dusk 😌
ESC staff enjoyed paddling through the Mercer Slough during our fall staff retreat-thank you The Youth Experiential Training Institute - YETI for making today possible. Green herons and turtles swimming were among our favorite wildlife sightings today!
#tbt to our more of our fall 2022 Salmon Heroes Naturalist Training. We are so excited to bring students back to our local waterways to view salmon, learn how to protect them, and design stewardship actions to implement at their schools. Our first introduction lessons have started so bring on the autumn of learning!
Who is ready for the Senior Resource Expo this Friday at the Renton Senior Center with Renton Parks and Recreation? 🥳
Stop by the ESC table, outside on the grounds, to learn about our FREE salmon migration field trip and presentations this fall for ages 50+. Learn how you can get involved with ESC, partake in lifelong learning, and contribute to conservation with stewardship actions! Learn how to register at" bit.ly/3BZbm0A
Some people may take turtles for granted in their local bodies of water, but we get extremely excited about them!
ESC has been working with a local community group to do water quality monitoring at Arbor Lake in Burien for future restoration. We have been teaching youth the tools and procedures that scientists use to collect water quality information. Recently, while floating in a raft on the water collecting data our group came across a turtle and took some time to admire how science and nature work together!
I saw this turtle at Hicks lake in White Center a few years ago.