Envirothon (1 day)
Organization: Thurston Conservation District

Envirothon is an annual interdisciplinary, outdoor, hands-on contest for teams of three to five high-school students. An adult advisor is required, and team members must belong to the same school, club or organization to qualify. The one-day regional contest is held in late April or early May, followed by the two-day state contest late in May, and the five-day national contest in August. State and national contest sites rotate from year to year.

Students visit five test stations where they answer written and hands-on questions on soils, water, forestry, wildlife, and a current environmental issue. The program can be adapted for classroom study and used by teachers as a curricula guide.

Classroom presentation, brochures, and videos to introduce Envirothon are available. For more information, call the Thurston Conservation District, 754-3588. (10/09)

The 4-H Forestry Leadership Program operates every summer in Mason County. Teens can participate in this leadership-based environmental/forest stewardship program and be paid a stipend to work in the woods! Students are enrolled in the 4-H Forestry Project and have a chance to participate in other environmental projects throughout the school year. Contact Mo MacCracken at the WSU Extension Office in Shelton, 360-427-9670 ext. 396 for more information.

Natural Resources Youth Camp
Organizations: Thurston Conservation District and NRYC

Youth ages 12-17 can attend Natural Resources Youth Camp (NRYC) at the Cispus Learning Center. The week-long summer camp is an outdoor paradise for hands-on learning and fun.

The NRYC has a three-tiered program. The first level is designed for first and second year campers. Activities include hands-on instruction provided by resource professionals in forestry, aquatics, soils, and fish and wildlife. The second level, BackCountry Adventure Camp, is for returning NRYC campers. This camper group goes on a 3-day backcountry hike with a team of experienced backcountry hikers, building on the knowledge they've previously gained from NRYC. Level three is the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for youth ages 16 and older. CITs develop their leadership skills to serve as future counselors.

Nightly campfires, explorations, ropes challenge course, treetops to laptops, learning-by-doing (LBDs) and recreation complete this well-rounded program, providing an experience campers won't forget!

Visit the camp's website at www.nryc.org for additional information and camp dates. Contact Kathleen Whalen at the Thurston Conservation District for more details, 754-3588 ext. 114. E-mail address: kwhalen@thurstoncd.com. (10/09)

Noxious Weeds and the Environment
Organization: Thurston County Noxious Weed Control

Through a presentation using PowerPoint, photos, dried or live samples, students can learn to identify noxious weeds and understand how they affect the environment. Students can also learn how to help protect themselves, their animals, and the environment from "non-native" invasive plants. Also available is a 25-minute video called, "Nature's Deceptions," that provides an overview of weed-related problems. To schedule a presentation or reserve the video, call Thurston County Noxious Weed Control at 786- 5576. TDD is 754-2933. E-mail address is tcweeds@co.thurston.wa.us. Web:www.co.thurston.wa.us/tcweeds. (5/08)

Olympia Volunteers in Parks
Organization: City of Olympia Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department

Come join the fun and become a VIP! The mission of the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program is to engage volunteers in the maintenance and enhancement of Olympia's parks, and in doing so, instill a greater sense of community ownership in city parks. Typical projects include removal of invasive non-native plants, planting of trees and native vegetation, trail maintenance, and other park beautification projects.

To schedule a volunteer work party for your group, or to find out more about the VIP program, call Todd Smith at 753-8365. E-mail: tsmith@ci.olympia.wa.us, or visit our web site at http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/employment/volunteer/parksvolunteeractivities/.

Procession of the Species
Organization: Earthbound Productions, with more than 100 volunteers

Created by the commmunity for the community, the Procession of the Species is an artistic and environmental celebration using the mediums of art, music, and dance to give the natural world a greater presence in our streets. The celebration is for people of all ages. An open community art studio and many art, music, dance and environmental workshops culminate in a magical procession of more than 2,000 participants carrying or wearing giant puppets, masks, costumes, banners, and flags. Together with community musical groups and dancers, the participants show awe and appreciation of the amazing species with which we coinhabit the earth.

As South Puget Sound's largest Earth Day happening, The Olympian states that many consider the Procession to be "Olympia's defining annual event." This community celebration is held in conjunction with the Olympia Spring Arts Walk in April.

• Teacher Orientation Workshop is in February.

• Educational Resource Guide is available for purchase year-round from Earthbound Productions, 705-1087. (5/08)

Project Learning Tree: "Environmental Education Activity Guide"
Organization: Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA)

Charting Diversity...Birds and Worms...Tree Cookies....Pollution Search.  These are some of the 96 hands-on interdisciplinary activities in Project Learning Tree's K-8 guide. The guide covers such topics as water and air quality, ecology, urban environments, forests and recycling. The guide uses the constructivist approach to learning, whole language teaching, cooperative learning, problem solving, and authentic assessments. Teacher training, workshops, and support are available. For more information, visit the WFPA web site at www.wfpa.org/ee or call the Environmental Education Program at 705-9294. (5/08)

Project Learning Tree:
"Forests of Washington: Forest Ecosystems and People" and "Forests of Washington: Forest History"
Organization: Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA)

Forests of Washington activity guides present integrated lessons and hands-on activities geared toward the specific content and issues unique to Washington’s forests: the trees, wildlife, forest egions, and watersheds. "Forest Ecosystems and People" (grades 4-9) is designed to foster knowledge of ecosystems and an awareness of the connections between humans and the environment. "Forest History" (grades 6-9) explores the rich cultural, ecological, and social history of our forests.

Teacher training, workshops and support are available. For more information, visit the WFPA web site at www.wfpa.org/ee or call the Environmental Education Program at 705-9294. The HistoryLink web site also offers interesting information: historylink.org. (5/08)

Project Learning Tree:
"The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology"
"Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests"
"Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk"
Organization: Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA)

Project Learning Tree’s secondary modules offer engaging activities for middle school and high school teachers. "Forest Ecology" explores ecology and land management practices in forest lands in the United States. "Focus on Forests" presents a process for looking at environmental issues. "Focus on Risk" activities help students develop the skills they need to participate meaningfully in public dialogue and decision-making processes that address environmental and human health issues, as well as to make sound decisions regarding personal risk.

Teacher training, workshops and support are available. For more information, visit the WFPA web site at www.wfpa.org/ee or call the Environmental Education Program at 705-9294. (5/08)

Project Learning Tree's Energy and Society program provides formal and non-formal educators with tools and activities to help students in grades preK-8 learn about their relationship with energy and investigate the environmental issues related to energy's role in society. Energy and Society helps students develop critical thinking skills to make decisions about their personal energy use. In addition to hands-on activities, Energy and Society integrates music and dance to enhance the study of energy issues. For more information on teacher workshops or to purchase the Energy and Society kit, please contact Gigi Williams at gwilliams@wfpa.org or 705-9294. (5/08)

US Fish & Wildlife Service Resources and Presentations
Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

The Western Washington Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is a state field office that handles environmental issues and federal laws related to endangered and threatened species, habitat protection, watershed restoration, fisheries, and federal projects in the western and central Washington area. The office is located in Lacey. Information and education specialists, along with fish and wildlife biologists, are available to answer questions and visit classrooms or meetings for special presentations and/or workshops. Contact Taylor Pittman or Doug Zimmer at 753-9440. E-mail taylor_pittman@fws.gov or douglas_zimmer@fws.gov.

YMCA Earth Service Corps
Organization: South Sound YMCA and other community partners

This program empowers young people to be effective, responsible global citizens by providing opportunities for environmental education and action (service learning), leadership development, and cross-cultural awareness.

The South Sound YMCA coordinator helps establish student leadership and ecology clubs at area schools, offers advisory meetings, and provides trainings, events and service projects to connect students with their community and help the local environment. The program offers high school-age curricula (sustainability, leadership, recycling and environmental art). For more information, contact YMCA Earth Service Corps at 357-6609 ext. 117.

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Last updated: 10/04/2009
Questions? Call Thurston County Solid Waste, 357-2491 or route a message through wwm-webmaster@co.thurston.wa.us