ESC's Earth Day Auction and Dinner on Friday April 23 was well attended and a big success, raising over $38,000 to support our environmental education programs for the next 12 months. This cartoon comically captures the evening's fun and lively bidding! Click the thumbnail for a larger version.
Construction is well underway!! The outside of the building is essentially complete, painting was finished in February 2010. Since then some of the interior work has been done and we're in the final stretch of raising money to complete the interior.
Click on the thumbnail to the right to see a photo album showing the stages of construction.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Capital campaign and made this possible!
We're not done yet though!
The Environmental Science Center offers environmental education programs on our local beaches, streams, forested areas, and in classrooms throughout the Central Puget Sound Watershed. ESC is the only environmental learning program serving K-12 children across South King County. The majority of the children that we serve come from schools where over 75% of students qualify for a free or reduced lunch program. The opportunities provided by the Environmental Science Center are likely to be the only affordable opportunities for experiential environmental education for the vast majority of the children we serve.
ESC curricula are based on national research that demonstrates that effective, experiential environmental education can have a significant positive effect on math and science outcomes. By offering these experiential learning opportunities through our School Programs as well as our Adult, Family and Youth Programs, students and adults alike have demonstrated a deeper connection between themselves and their natural locale. Evaluation of ESC programs has also shown a positive impact on student and adult comprehension of the dynamic ecological systems around them. They learn how these systems effect every aspect of their lives, and how their lives affect these systems.
ESC operates in close partnership with the City of Burien and the Highline School District. It is also able to leverage additional resources through partnerships with Community Schools Collaboration, the King Conservation District, the Master Builders Association, Neighborhood House, New Futures, Para Los Niņos, People for Puget Sound, the Puget Sound Partnership, the Puget Sound Skills Center, REI, the Seattle Aquarium, Sustainable Burien, and WRIA 9.
The Environmental Science Center promotes environmental stewardship, sustainability, and academic achievement through science based education. Serving South King County.
Secure online Credit Card processing via PayPal for general donations to ESC is available on our Join Us page.
Moonlight Beach Walks
Our Moonlight Beach Walks (usually in December and January) get more popular every year. These walks are a unique opportunity to see Seahurst's beach at low tide and in the dark. When the tide goes out during the day most of the creatures on the beach go with it or burrow under something. But at night they stay on the beach and can be seen with flashlights. Naturalists from several organizations will be on the beach to lead tours and explain what you're seeing. And to point out things you would probably never notice on your own.
Many of the animals are still well concealed even though they aren't hiding like they do in daylight. Remember that you're in their house, and tread gently. The goal is to Do No Harm. This is a great opportunity for kids to see the beach in a whole new way. Click on the photo at the right to see a collection of photos from past Beach Walks.
In addition to the Environmental Science Center, Beachwalks are sponsored by our partners People for Puget Sound, the City of Burien and the Seattle Aquarium.
The next Moonlight Beach walks will be in late 2010 and early 2011, dates will be announced later in 2010. See our 2009-2010 flyer for general details.