Last week, my husband and I were scouting places to “put in” and “take out” our kayaks when we ended up at the Luhr’s Landing Access Area at the Nisqually Reach Aquatic Reserve.
In addition to the orcas and the bald eagles, a group of teachers were participating in a professional development class. What made this class a bit special was that it was developed as a partnership between three area nonprofit organizations: Puget Sound Estuarium, Pacific Education Institute, and Nisqually Reach Nature Center. Too often, I have seen nonprofits compete for donors, media attention, and even clients. It was so nice to see three organizations with similarities in their mission work together. When nonprofits form a partnership, they can better expand their reach in the community, leading to more donors and funding opportunities.
Here’s a little info about each:
Its mission is “to foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of the Puget Sound.”
Its mission is “to empower educators to advance equitable civic and scientific literacy by promoting outdoor integrated career connected locally relevant real-world science,” which is what they were doing the day we saw them (when they were not peering through their binoculars at the orca pod in the distance). I learned from Lara Tukarski, South Sound Field STEM Coordinator, that PEI was founded in 2003 by a consortium of leaders from the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), and the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) (whew!).
Recognizing a lack of real-world, career-connected, locally relevant, outdoor-based education in the state (hence their mission), they established their teaching frameworks to guide their professional development for educators while ensuring that the framework was grounded in Washington State’s educational goals, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Previously, we had visited the Billy Frank, Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, which is nearby, but I was not aware of the Nisqually Reach Nature Center (NRNC) until now. According to its Executive Director, Daniel Hull, their mission is “to promote the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the Nisqually Estuary through education, interpretation, and community science.”
I spoke with Hull at the conclusion of the class and learned that the NRNC was established in 1982 (which means they are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year) as an extension of the Black Hills Audubon Society, and in 1986 it became an independent nonprofit entity. “NRNC has a proud history of reaching thousands of community members in the South Sound each year with our messages of environmental stewardship and conservation,” said Hull.
“Through the years, our emphasis has expanded from general public outreach to our current focus on providing supplemental classroom, laboratory, and field trip opportunities for schools in Thurston and Pierce counties and beyond.” In a typical year, around 3,000 school-age kids visit the Nature Center with their teachers and parents. In addition, NRNC also conducts community science monitoring of pigeon guillemots, forage fish, larval crabs, and water quality.
Lace-up your running shoes!
Get your running shoes on for the LakeFair Races 2022. The races are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Olympia and include a Half Marathon, 8K, and 3K. Online registration is still open at https://www.olympialakefairraces.org/ Runners of all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate and kids (14 and under) can race the 3K for free. Funds raised benefit Thurston County community organizations, local high school cross country, and track and field groups.
Time for another Hootenanny
The folks at the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) had so much at their Hootenanny last year that they decided to bring it back. Join them on July 16 for games, live music from Runaway Train, BBQ from Southbay Dickerson’s, and local libations (the event is for those 21 and over) and as they “blow off some steam”! In addition, to all the fun, there will be time to celebrate some extraordinary Thurston County businesses with the Economic Courage Awards. What is Economic Courage? According to the Thurston EDC website, economic courage could be defined as a leader, business, nonprofit (yay!) and or organization that exudes the fortitude to persevere and succeed in business.
Courage is defined by doing business in a different way that affects support and creates resiliency in the community. Go to https://thurstonedc.com/ for more details and your cowboy hat and boots are optional.
Soliciting your ideas
If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!
Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com
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