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Wetlands in King County, Washington State

Environmental resources for teachers and students

Programs for Educators Directory (Acrobat pdf)
A guide to King County programs and resources of interest to educators on topics ranging from cultural diversity to water quality and wildlife.

Environmental quizzes

  • Take the EQ* quiz
    Assess your personal *Environmental Quotient and see how it compares to your neighbors.
  • Family Fun Quiz
    Take the green challenge, see how well you score on 8 questions and win an eco-friendly prize.
  • Quizzes, games & fun facts about waste
    How well do you know the Four Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink? Find out what you know and what you need to know about garbage, recycling and hazardous waste by quizzing yourself.

Ways you can help

teacher with adult learners

Programs and resources for schools

King County's Solid Waste Division provides assemblies and classroom workshops on waste prevention and recycling to elementary school students throughout the county. In 2009, more than 32,300 students heard the division's presentations.

Parcel viewer or iMAP
Interactive maps of King County useful for looking up information about specific parcels or for viewing and researching layers of geographic features such as historical photos.

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SciFYI Newsletter, by Water and Land Resources Division Science Section
Quarterly newsletter promotes the use and understanding of our scientific data and information, and to share knowledge about the value and benefits of Environmental Sciences.

 Education and school assistance - Solid Waste Division
Waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation are the focus of these programs. Storytelling sessions, an assembly show, classroom workshops, teaching materials, and assistance in forming Green Teams are among the offerings. Programs range from preschool through high school.

Wastewater education
Treatment plant tours, speakers bureau, school tours, Wheels to Water Program, Brightwater Center and other wastewater treatment goodies for shools.

Noxious weed resources for schools
Learn about presentations and other programs for teachers and students customized to curriculum needs.

students recycling milk containers Introduction to stormwater in King County
Learn about the science of stormwater, common problems related to stormwater including causes and solutions, homeowner tips, regulations, and how to get help from King County.

Green Schools Program
Helps schools improve or expand their conservation efforts while reducing related costs, and provides public recognition for becoming better stewards of the environment to serve as models for others.

Household Hazardous Waste school and youth programs
What is household hazardous waste? How does it affect the environment, salmon, AND us? Visit this site to learn how you can schedule highly interactive classroom presentations, download lesson materials, borrow teaching kits/videos/ books, find related field trips, take a training, and more! All services are free.

Cool School Challenge (external link) New
Educational program provides information and motivation and outlines specific steps that students and teachers can apply to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions schoolwide. Provided courtesy of Redmond High School and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

learning the importance of composting Resources for teaching about surface water issues
Curricula, resources, and local agencies related to water.

The Groundwater Story
Musical animation conveys the importance of groundwater to living things -- including people -- and how everyone can help protect this hidden resource.

Native plant salvage program
The plant salvage program is a wonderful opportunity for middle school and older students to learn about native plants, protect water resources and get their hands dirty! We can accommodate students on Saturday fall, winter and spring salvage events or arrange work at the plant holding facility in Issaquah (at Duthie Hill Park) during weekdays. If you have questions about the program or would like to participate, please contact Cindy Young.

students with cleaning supplies Create and fund your own project
Thousands of dollars are available for a wide range of projects, from planting wetlands with native plants to writing musicals about water resources. To find out more about the King County grant programs, please contact Ken Pritchard.

School credit program
School districts in unincorporated King County may qualify for a waiver of their SWM fees based on their teaching of surface water-related curriculum. Applications are sent to each school district in the late summer and are due by November 1st. School District properties which are served by a stormwater flow control or water quality facility must correct any maintenance deficiencies identified by King County before that property is allowed the discount. Please call Ken Krank to find out more.

Environment Washington: Tools for Teachers (external link)
Washington State Department of Ecology site offering teacher workshops, grants, action project opportunities, research and references, and a database of environmental curricula, activities, and subject areas by grade range.

Homework help for students

students learn about bus scheduleIntroduction to our local environment

Related information

Related agencies

News and announcements

Apr. 19, 2013
King County honors 12 environmental leaders with Green Globe Awards
April 22 ceremony recognizes ‘best-of-the-best’ for efforts ranging from environmental conservation, to education, sustainable building, and more

Apr. 19, 2013
See where your garbage goes: Tour King County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, April 27

Apr. 17, 2013
Treatment plant tours, educational activities round out series of free Earth Day events
Learn how King County protects the environment all day, every day

Apr. 17, 2013
External news release, EPA
Green-Powered Northwest Colleges and Businesses are Reducing Pollution and Fighting Climate Change

Apr. 2, 2013
King County honoring its Earth Heroes
Executive Constantine to recognize environmental stewards at April 25 event

Jan. 15, 2013
External article, Sammamish Issaquah Patch
Do You Know an Earth Hero at School?

Oct. 30, 2012
Fall for family fun at Brightwater

Sept. 26, 2012
Brightwater open house features family fun, educational activities, Sept. 29

Join us for 2012 Natural Yard Care workshops at Cottage Lake:

  • Sept. 18, garden design & smart watering
  • Sept. 25, healthy soil & designing with plants
  • Oct. 2, designing a natural lawn & pest control

Sept. 6, 2012
Help keep tabs on native salmon as a Salmon Watcher Program volunteer
Training sessions offered in Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville

External report, Sierra
4: University of Washington
Top 10 America's Coolest Schools

Conservation FuturesConservation Futures: forests, farms and fun... forever video
30th anniversary video celebrating conservation of King County's precious open space, parks, farms and forests.

 

» Archived news and announcements