Grassroots to Greenhouses: A Community-Wide Effort to Safeguard Puget Sound's Waters

The path to cleaner waterways starts in our own backyards, school grounds, and greenhouses. That's the lesson we've learned after completing an ambitious three-year project aimed at reducing pesticide use around Puget Sound.

A Community-Wide Approach

To achieve this ambitious goal, we partnered with King County Wastewater Treatment Division in 2021 and focused on three key groups:

Professional Nursery Growers

We connected with 29 nursery growing professionals through a virtual workshop, providing them with practical alternatives to chemical pesticides. These professionals learned techniques that not only protect our waterways but also support healthier plant production.

Educational Institutions

Twenty-six schools across Central Puget Sound received our comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guide. This resource empowers school staff to make smarter choices about pest control, protecting both students and the environment.

Homeowners and Residents

Through our Water Stewards pilots, we worked directly with 143 local residents. These community members learned how to maintain beautiful lawns without relying on harmful chemicals.

Building a Chemical-Free Community

By targeting these three groups, we've created a ripple effect that extends beyond individual backyards. Each participant – whether a professional grower, school administrator, or homeowner – has become part of a larger movement toward environmental stewardship.

Looking Forward

The success of this project proves that when communities come together, we can make significant environmental changes.

Take Action

Ready to join the movement? Here are simple steps you can take:

• Request our IPM guide for your school
• Sign up for future Water Stewards projects as they become available in your area
• Follow our social media channels for tips on chemical-free pest management

Together, we're creating a healthier future for Puget Sound, one garden, school ground, and greenhouse at a time!