Hikes, a boat tour, lectures: How you can help protect your natural environment
All are welcome to enroll for Sept 13–15 or Sept. 27–29
See Below
Members of the community are invited to join University of Puget Sound students for two separate weekends of educational excursions and presentations focused on protecting the natural beauty of the Puget Sound region.
“Ski Level to Sea Level: Understanding Environmental Issues in Our Watersheds” is being offered for a third year by the university’s Sound Policy Institute. The two weekends, running Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13–15 and Sept. 27–29, include visits to Mount Rainier, Alder and Mud Mountain dams, and Eatonville rain gardens; a boat tour of Commencement Bay; and talks by environmental leaders. Those interested can participate in one or both weekends.
The aim of the course is to empower citizens to understand and take action on important issues that often are left in the hands of politicians and special interest groups. Space is limited, so please call to reserve your place. See below for enrollment details. The two events include:
Politics and Public Participation in the Nisqually Watershed
Friday evening, Sept. 13–Sunday afternoon, Sept 15
This course will focus on the establishment of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and the effects of dams and agricultural practices on the Nisqually River salmon habitat.
Friday evening: Presentation by Helen Engle, founding member of Tahoma Audubon Society
Saturday: Mount Rainier walk at Paradise, Alder Dam, Ohop Creek restoration, Mashel River log jam, and Eatonville Rain Gardens
Sunday: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge talk, with Georgian Kautz, natural resource manager for the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commissioner; and Don Perry, outreach and education coordinator for the Nisqually Indian Tribe
Laws and Land Use Designations in the Puyallup/White Watershed
Friday evening, Sept. 27–Sunday afternoon, Sept 29
This course will focus on forest practices, urban and suburban growth management, and estuary restoration in an urban and industrialized setting.
Friday evening: Presentation by Jeffrey Thomas, director of timber, fish, and wildlife for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Saturday: Mount Rainier walk at Sunrise, Mud Mountain Dam; “Forest Practices and Land Use Designation” presentation by Doug McClelland, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Sunday: Commencement Bay boat tour with Citizens for a Healthy Bay; presentations by Leslie Ann Rose, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, and Marv Coleman, Washington State Department of Ecology
Both weekends are open to all members of the community and members of the Puget Sound campus. Please call to reserve a place.
To enroll or for more information contact:
Katharine Appleyard
Sound Policy Institute at University of Puget Sound
253.879.3716
The Sound Policy Institute is one of several initiatives at University of Puget Sound that harness the resources and expertise of the university and that engage community partners to improve the Puget Sound region and the lives of those who live here. The Sound Policy Institute builds the capacity of individuals and groups, both on campus and in the regional community, to actively and effectively engage in environmental decision-making.
For more about the Sound Policy Institute visit: www.pugetsound.edu/soundpolicy