9:15 Keynote Address

David Henry, The Arctic Ocean: Puget Sound starts here?

David Henry currently manages the Pew Environment Group’s International Arctic Program and its campaigns for marine protection in the Canadian Arctic. He worked at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve from 1991 until he got his current position in 2009. He has worked as a North Pacific high seas fisheries observer, commercial sea cucumber diver/fisherman, biological researcher, and environmental educator. He lives in Bellingham, Washington with his wife Carol and 2 labrador retrievers.

 

Session 1 - 10:15 to 11:15

1A - Community and School Gardens, a panel discussion lead by Callie Martin, Waste Reduction and Recycling Education Specialist, Solid Waste Division, Skagit County Public Works

Has your dream been to take kids outside and to work with the soil until veggies and other green delights abound? Join us for this interesting, beneficial-insect-friendly breakout session to talk about how to get a community or school garden started in your own neighborhood. Topics will include site planning, committee formation, gaining outside support, education and outreach, as well as best planting practices and resources for growing and preparing heirloom food crops.
Facilitator: Callie Martin
Speakers:
· Betty Carteret, Skagit Beat the Heat/Anacortes Community Garden
· Becky Stinson, Master Gardener/Anacortes Community Garden
· Diane Visten, Master Gardener Dig It! Program
· Tori Talkington, Mount Vernon Unity Garden
· Jayne Uerling, Eco Com “quadruple bottom line” designer of Sustainable Landscapes
· Matia Jones, WWU Outback Coordinator

 

1B - Getting Started with Program Evaluation, Chuck Lennox, Cascade Interpretive Consulting

Would you like to know more about what your program participants, students, teachers or clients think about or learn from your programs? Has your manager asked you "how do you know we are doing a good job?" Do you quake when filling out a grant application and you have to answer a question about program evaluation? This presentation is designed to showcase resources that are available for developing simple assessment tools. Key questions to answer before starting an assessment will be shared. Logic models will be explained and discussed as a means for focusing and organizing an evaluation. Participants should come with a particular program in mind that they would like to evaluate.

 

1C - Return of the Plankton: a video overview of the seasons underwater, John F. Williams, Still Hope Productions

Art and science come together in an exciting video journey underwater in Puget Sound. This rare, first-hand look at our local marine ecosystem and food web has proven to be a valuable addition to classes from 3rd grade to college graduate courses. This presentation will introduce teachers to the 27 minute movie "Return of the Plankton" filmed in Puget Sound, to the study aids included on the DVD, and to some unique uses of the movie in the classroom setting. Free copies of the DVD will be available to environmental educators who attend this session.

 

1D - Empowering Future Generations: Education Projects at Washington Sea Grant, Julie Hahn, Education Coordinator and Nancy Reichley, Education Specialist, Washington Sea Grant

Well known for its support of pioneering research, Washington Sea Grant (WSG) also initiates and funds innovative education projects. Three leading K-12 programs include Orca Bowl (the regional high school competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl), NOAA Science Camp for middle school-aged youth, and the establishment of Washington on Water (WOW), a regional marine education resources database on the WSG Web site.   During the presentation participants will learn about WSG's education programs, test their knowledge about ocean subjects with questions from last year's Orca Bowl competition, learn how Science Camp connects middle school youth with NOAA science, and see how WOW can help enhance integration of regional marine science topics into their classroom.

 

1E - Cool School Challenge, 1 million lbs. of CO2 reductions and counting! Katie Fleming, Education Coordinator, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities

Join the growing list of Washington schools who have pledged to lessen their environmental impact and reduce their carbon footprint through the Cool School challenge (CSC). Participants recently broke 1 million pounds of CO2 savings! Take a crash course in implementing the most resent version of the CSC and learn how to engage students, teachers and administrators in an initiative to decrease greenhouse emissions by 2,000 pounds per classroom, per school year. Visit www.coolschoochallenge.org for more information.

 

1F - Facts, Problematic Statements, and Communication, Peter Holte, City of Redmond Stewardship Coordinator & Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities (STORM)

A Presentation about developing messages and facts that are based on science and vetted by the right people. This will help enable local ECO Networks in developing something similar to the vetted facts and problematic statements document created for the Puget Sound Starts Here campaign that are applicable and more locally relevant for their audiences. Participants should expect to break out into groups for the "Whidbey Basin", Whatcom and San Juan areas to brainstorm and start the development of a fact sheet for their area.

 

11:30 Plenary

Song Swap If you have a song with an role in environmental education and you want to share it with others, contact Marieke Slovin at mslovin@padillabay.gov or 360-428-1054 to get on the agenda.

 

12:00 Lunch

Lunch is brought to you by generous donations from regional businesses. From coffee to cider, sandwich wraps to desserts, the lunch selections will be mostly organic, as local as can be and 100% delicious.

 

12:40 Poster Session

Organizations that sponsored Storming the Sound will have displays about the work they are doing. Learn how you can get involved. Representatives of these organizations should be available at their display during this session. You may also choose to take a refreshing walk across the street to "The Next Chapter Bookstore" and take a look at their special selection of environmental books displayed for Storming the Sound participants. They also serve great espresso drinks.

Session 2 - 1:00 to 2:15

2A - A Path for Youth: Creating Connectivity in Environmental Programs, Amy Brown, North Cascades Wild Coordinator, North Cascades Institute

This participatory discussion will highlight opportunities for youth in our region in environmental education, stewardship and work-force development programs. Currently, there are numerous opportunities for youth in northwest Washington targeting toddlers through graduate school. Some programs are "gateways" that pull participants into additional opportunities they can continue participating in through adulthood. But some opportunities are "one shot deals" and do not lead to additional participation. Studies show that repeated experiences are essential for developing an informed and engaged citizenry. In this session, participants will create pathways, identify path goals and barriers to connectivity, and discuss ideas for overcoming these barriers. Be prepared to engage in stimulating conversation using lots of sticky notes, butcher paper, tape and markers. 

2B - REYS: A Model for Incorporating Environmental Education into Community-based Habitat Restoration, Cara Ianni, Education Program Manager, Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force

Restoration Ecology for Young Stewards (REYS) is an inquiry- and project-based curriculum that promotes stewardship by integrating restoration with environmental education. REYS models a partnership between nonprofits, government, and schools. REYS draws links between human actions and impacts on watersheds, and teaches students to think critically about challenges in salmon conservation. Students learn about riparian ecosystems by evaluating data and performing experiments. Following, students perform three projects: 1) designing and implementing a riparian planting; 2) performing student-driven research to support restoration efforts and 3) designing an interpretive sign. Evaluation indicates increased student understanding of watersheds and stewardship behavior in parent and teachers.

2C - Senior Culminating Projects, Marieke Slovin, Senior Culminating Projects Coordinator, Padilla Bay Reserve

Are you a high school student interested in helping solve environmental problems? Are you a professional in the environmental field looking for help to get your work done? How can we work together to help the Puget Sound region? Join Marieke Slovin for a presentation about high school Senior Culminating Project, now required of all seniors graduating from public schools in Washington State. One or more local high school students will share their experiences from their own culminating project.

2D - Coyote Mentoring, Lindsay L. Huettman, Outreach Coordinator, Wilderness Awareness School

What does an owl see in a nighttime forest without even moving its head? How does the coyote move silently between the rows of houses in your neighborhood or a mountain meadow without being seen? How exactly do they see, move, smell, taste and feel as creatures of the 'wild' ? Join me for a session that will literally bring you back to your senses and help you cultivate nature awareness skills for you and your students. Wilderness Awareness School's long tradition of teaching sensory awareness skills provides environmental educators with essential tools that support and enrich any outdoor experience. This is a hands and senses-on workshop, all you need is warm clothes, your love for nature and a sense of curiosity.

2E - Navigating the Social Media "Ecosystem" Rae McNally, Puget Sound Partnership

Learn about different types of free social media programs and how to develop and maintain active and relevant accounts. This presentation will include a brief overview of the different types of social media programs, a quick how-to on page creation, and a short discussion on how to engage and promote active and involved followers while still maintaining your organizations brand integrity.

2F - Changing Behavior, Suzi Wong Swint, Watershed Education Program Coordinator, Snohomish County Public Works, Surface Water Management

This presentation covers community based social marketing, social norms, and some useful models like Diffusion of Innovation, Stages of Change and Bennett's Heirarchy http://pspeconet.blogspot.com/2009/10/top-models.html

 

2G - Toxics in Puget Sound, Heather Trim, People For Puget Sound

This workshop covers the topic of the important toxic chemicals that impact Puget Sound and the connection of these chemicals to human health. This is an interactive workshop with activities and games, and we provide fully referenced information sheets on all the topics including:

• How toxic chemicals affect you and Puget Sound
• The top toxic chemicals and where they come from
• How to help prevent toxic overload to Puget Sound and yourself
• Tips on communicating this information to others

 

Session 3 - 2:30 to 3:45

3A - Creating Climate Change Leaders of Tomorrow, Aneka Singlaub, Instructor, Parks Climate Challenge Program, North Cascades Institute

The future of our planet is dependent on the youth leaders of today understanding the science and impacts of climate change, the tools to mitigate these factors and acquiring the skill and confidence to motivate others.   North Cascades Institutes, Parks Climate Challenge Program is an example of this philosophy, dedicated to turning today's urban youth into climate change ambassadors .   This program is rooted in the psychology of climate change communication and incorporates a month- long, field-based experience coupled with an introduction to policy in Washington DC and a service project designed and implemented by the students in their home communities.   Students from Seattle, alumni of the 2009 PCC team, will discuss how they plan to use leadership skills in guiding toward a more sustainable future.

3B - Wheel-of-Water, DouGlas Palenshus, Outreach Coordinator, Water Quality Program, Department of Ecology

The Wheel-of-Water game makes the subject of water protection fun and engaging. Educators developed a series of graded questions for selected water qualityproblems to challenge both young and old. The interactive game provides a terrific chance to poke fun at outrageous everyday activities that harm water quality. Learn about the Wheel, review and discuss learning theory and help develop age appropriate questions. Help add to the mix and learn a bit, too.

 

3C - Citizen Science - What? Why? How? Kate Litle, Citizen Science Specialist, Washington Sea Grant

Citizen science - engaging the public in making observations, and collecting and recording data - offers an exceptional opportunity to enhance public stewardship of Puget Sound and provide credible, cost-effective data essential to fulfill research, monitoring and management priorities. Washington Sea Grant (WSG) and Washington State University Extension recently completed a report to Puget Sound Partnership with recommendations for advancing citizen science in the region. WSG is currently creating a clearinghouse of citizen science project information for Puget Sound, developing resource materials to support citizen science efforts, and providing assistance in the development and implementation of citizen science projects. During this session, participants will learn more about citizen science, the report recommendations, and WSG activities to support and enhance citizen science in Puget Sound. The session will include ample time for discussion, questions, and the opportunity to brainstorm how participants can incorporate citizen science in their programs.

 

3D - On Board with B-WET, Susie Richards & Chris Burt of SEA with Tom Murphy, Director of LEAF School

Service, Education and Adventure (SEA) and Edmonds Community College LEAF School are partners in the NOAA B-WET Watershed Education Program to enhance and support meaningful watershed education in the Pacific Northwest. In this presentation LEAF School Director Tom Murphy and SEA co-directors Chris Burt and Susie Richards will describe how this project supports stewardship and educational programs for teachers and community partners around their own local watershed issues. The program collaborates with educational organizations and community partners to build supportive networks of educational learning experiences, community enhancement and student empowerment. Opportunities to engage in a  NOAA B-WET Watershed Education experience will be shared, as well as strategies for implementing service-learning and watershed education elements into existing curriculum and programs.

3E - Plastic in the Salish Sea, Jen Kingfisher, Marine Program Educator and Director of Plastic Program, Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC)

Marine plastic pollution is a huge issue, both here in the Puget Sound and around the world. This program provides information for educators about the state of marine plastic pollution. We cite research from the North Pacific Gyre, as well as data collected by PTMSC and its partners here in Puget Sound. We will discuss the impacts of plastics on humans and wildlife, and explore possible solutions. The highlight of the program, however, is the opportunity to dissect boli (pellets) of Laysan Albatross, the ‘poster child’ of Marine Plastic Pollution. These garbage ridden boli provide a hands on way of understanding the impacts of our garbage on other species. Participants in the program are eligible to use PTMSC’s ‘lending library’ boli for use in their own classroom.

3F - ECO Network - What it's all about, Chrys Bertolotto, WSU Snohomish County Extension

A network of education, communication and outreach (ECO) organizations has formed throughout the region to help restore Puget Sound to health by 2020. This session will help you understand what this ECO Network business is all about and why you should be engaged. Representatives from several local groups will share what their Network does in their own communities. There will then be an open discussion with participants on how we can all do a better job of Puget Sound-based education, outreach or community involvement. Share your success stories and expertise on engaging the public in Puget Sound clean up.

 

3G - Children's Environmental Literature, Callie Martin, Waste Reduction and Recycling Education Specialist, Solid Waste Division, Skagit County Public Works

Books can inspire us deeply. Do you remember those that made you revere the natural world even more than you had before, as a kid? Bring one or more to share and join around the story circle to learn about some of the best environmental classics we know today. Also, get a taste of those new influential tales that are captivating our young readers. This session will discuss methods of weaving environmental literature into your current curriculum. It's sure to be a delight!

 

4:00 Closing Remarks

Reflections by Bill Ruckelshaus, Chair of the Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership.

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Last updated January 27, 2010