Puget Sound Starts Here Month Activities in Pierce County

Natural Yard Care Family Fun 10:30 a.m. May 4, Wapato Park Pavilion, 6500 S. Sheridan, Tacoma A fun family event with natural yard care hands-on learning activities. Learn about backyard composting, rain gardens and native plants. Plus enjoy healthy snacks, make an art project to take home. Pre-register at hhhnworkshops.eventzilla.net or call (253) 324-6210.

Rain Gardens: DIY Planning to Planting 10:30 a.m. May 4, EnviroHouse, 3510 S. Mullen St. Tacoma Get expert guidance on how to make your own rain garden. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with special soil and often planted with native plants. Rain gardens can collect and store water from downspouts and driveways during large rain events, filter out pollutants and help protect nearby streams, lakes, and . Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 573-2426.

Septic System Maintenance 6 p.m. May 8, Spanaway Elementary, 412 – 165th St. S. Spanaway For Spanaway Lake residents, learn from septic system professionals how to troubleshoot problems with your septic system and when to call in the professionals. Training provided by On-Site Sewage Association. Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 798-2725.

Yard Waste & Worm Bin Composting 10:30 a.m. May 11, EnviroHouse, 3510 S. Mullen St. Tacoma Give home composting a try! Learn how to compost yard and garden waste plus worm bin composting for many kitchen scraps. Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 573-2426.

Solar and Sheep Farm Tour, 10 a.m. May 11, Tacoma (register for details) Visit Blackberry Patch Farm, home of the Thompson Romney Sheep Farm. As part of their belief in self- sufficiency, they installed a solar power system in 2011 on the south roof of their garage to produce their own electricity. A representative of Sun’s Eye Power which installed the system will be on hand to answer questions. Pre-register at (253) 845-9770.

Key Peninsula Livable Communities Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 11, Key Center Stop by to learn about how to live the sustainable life on and make connections in the community. Fun and free for the whole family. No reservations required.

Puget Sound Starts Here Night at the Rainiers, 7 p.m. May 16, Cheney Stadium, 2502 S. Tyler, Tacoma Join mascots Bert the Salmon and Scoopy Doo to celebrate Puget Sound Starts Here month with the Tacoma Rainiers as they battle the Memphis Redbirds. Get discount tickets ($10.50) at http://bit.ly/17tlJ74 use promo code “pugetsound.”

Puget Sound Starts Here Month, May 2013 From cleanups to planting parties and baseball games, there are plenty of ways to take action this month.

Puget Sound Starts Here Night at the Mariners on Saturday, May 11, at 6:10 p.m. Go to http://www.mariners.com/pugetsound promo code “salmon” for discount tickets.

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DIY Residential Drip Irrigation, 10:30 a.m. May 18, at EnviroHouse, 3510 S. Mullen St. Tacoma Be Water-wise by installing a drip irrigation system for gardens, raised beds, landscape plants and more. This workshop will cover simple irrigation techniques with a focus on DIY materials and tools with Cari Snyder from Netafim. Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 573-2426.

How to Make Rain Barrels, 1:30 and 3 p.m. May 19, at EnviroHouse, 3510 S. Mullen St. Tacoma Practice water conservation, reduce runoff, and re-use rainwater. Join Dan Borba to learn how to make your own rain barrel. Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 573-2426.

Citizens for a Healthy Bay Annual Auction, 5:30 p.m. May 18, Tacoma 17th Annual CHB Auction will be held at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Tickets and auction items benefit CHB programs. Tickets $85, order online at www.healthybay.org.

Shellfish Gardening, 6-8 p.m. May 21, Gig Harbor (register for details) Learn from the experts how to locate ideal shellfish growing areas, plant and harvest your own oysters, clams, or mussels. Shellfish gardening requires little maintenance and is a great way to produce your own food and improve local water quality. Pre-register at (253) 845-9770.

Natural Yard Care 101, 7 p.m. May 23, Spanaway Elementary, 412 – 165th St. S. Spanaway Join Greg Butler, Design of the Times to learn how to keep your yard beautiful and healthy for your family. Save money, time and reduce the use of yard chemicals. Pre-register at [email protected] or call (253) 798-2725.

Get Your Feet Wet with Harbor Wild Watch Join Harbor Wild Watch’s naturalists to learn more about local beaches, including beach walks and touch-tanks. No reservation necessary. Look for the blue tent. • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 11 at and • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 23 and 24 at and Penrose Point State Park • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 25 at Jersich Dock • 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. May 25 at Kopachuck State Park and Penrose Point State Park • 12 – 4 p.m. May 26 and 27 at Kopachuck State Park and Penrose Point State Park • 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. May 27 at Narrows Park • 1 – 5 p.m. May 28 at Kopachuck State Park and Penrose Point State Park

Volunteer with Puget Creek Restoration Society in May Restoration activities can be scheduled with Puget Creek Restoration Society throughout May. These events are suitable for school-age children and adults. Go to www.pugetcreek.org for more details.