Sustainable Gardens Free Virtual Classes

Composting your food and yard waste

This May enjoy learning about the different methods of composting from the comforts of home! Bring your tough questions and curiosity as we delve into turning food and yard waste into valuable compost. We are also going to offer a special opportunity to provide worms and/or starter bins for pre-purchase (like we have in the past) with different pick-up locations around the county.

Class Schedule

Composting: The Breakdown

Tuesday, May 4
6-7:30 p.m.

Vermicomposting

Tuesday, May 11
6-7:30 p.m.

Backyard Compost Tumblers 101

Tuesday, May 18
6-7:30 p.m.

For more information and to register, visit us on the web at:

www.piercecountywa.gov/enviroclasses

Save the Date: Virtual Youth and Environmental Sustainability Summit (YESS)

Saturday, April 24, 2-6:30 p.m.

Join Empowered, Connected & Involved Youth taking meaningful action and inspiring change! YESS brings together youth in middle school, high school and college from across Pierce County. The Summit combines informative conference-style sessions in a fun atmosphere for a powerful educational experience. Join other youth who want to lead change in their lives, schools, and communities and build a sustainable future.

The summit is free for all to attend. With your support, we hope to encourage more students and teachers to register to join us. Please pass this notice along and share the YESS website, www.piercecountywa.gov/youthsummit.

Star Students

April 24, 2020 was set to be the first annual Pierce County Youth Environmental and Sustainability Summit (YESS). The steering committee comprised of community partners, teachers, and students spent a year planning this event. Then, like many events of 2020, YESS was canceled due to Covid-19. While this was very disappointing, the amount of time, dedication, and effort put forth by the steering committee was recognized and honored with a Pierce County Outstanding Volunteer Award. They will be honored at the start of this year’s virtual YESS taking place on Saturday, April 24th.

Learning Opportunities

Pierce Conservation District: Explore the basics of successful vegetable gardening in the Edible Gardens Workshop Series. Classes are taught by educators from Harvest Pierce County (a program of the Pierce Conservation District) and Pierce County Planning and Public Works.
Washington Native Plant Society: April is native plant appreciation month! Celebrate the beauty and importance of our state's native plants through events happening all over the region.
Earth Day South Sound: Show appreciation and love for your Mother Earth this Earth Day, April 22nd through local events and volunteer opportunities. Search #earthdaysouthsound on social media!
Project Learning Tree*: Introduce youth to "green" careers. By answering a few simple questions online, youth receive suggestions for six careers based on skills, interest areas, and personal qualities. The youth quiz includes resources to learn about specific jobs, the skills and education level needed, which courses to take in high school or college, and insights on salary.
*Enter EARTHDAY21 at checkout. Code expires on April 30.

Walking the Talk (Sustainable Living Tip)

Recycling is an important action you can take towards a sustainable future, but it is important to recycle right. This month, we are focusing on helping our residents understand what paper products go in the recycling bin versus the garbage. Check out this minute long video for an overview and be a recycling champion!