The Mountains to Sound Greenway Education Program teaches students in King County schools about the challenge of sustaining a healthy, natural environment in balance with the needs of a growing population.

We offer four different curriculum units to 5th through 10th grade students. Teachers may sign up for an in-class lesson taught by Greenway staff with an optional field study trip to a forest on Tiger Mountain. A new, optional stewardship extension brings students outdoors to care for native plants, remove invasive weeds or plant native trees and shrubs. There are no mandatory fees for these events, and you may apply for a school bus subsidy.

"Do trees have feelings? Is the sap I see the tears of the tree?"
 - Student on a field study trip

Savvy about Soil explores the connection between soil, water and forests through hands-on experiments. Students will begin to develop an understanding of how soil textures help determine the use of the land.

Forests and Fins focuses on stream/forest ecology and the lifecycle of salmon. Students complete a mock stream survey in the classroom in preparation to do a real one on the field study trip. Participants analyze the riparian zone, look for macroinvertebrates, test water quality and evaluate the stream channel. Teams of students present their results.

Forests on the Edge inspires dialogue between students. Students are encouraged to answer the question: What is the best way to use the remaining forest lands that border urban areas? Students are broken into groups and after completing a hands-on activity engage in presentations to advocate their views. Parents like this topic a lot!

Greening up the Greenway is all about biosolids, the end-product of treated waste-water. This unit defines biosolids, how they are applied and studies whether it is a good idea to recycle waste. Teachers ask for this program during a unit on recycling or land use issues.

If there was a glacier here 14,000 years ago, where did all these ducks come from?
- Student on a field study trip

Once a teacher has signed up, each class is eligible for:

• Activity Guide with materials
• In-Class Lesson taught by Mountains to Sound Greenway Staff
• Field Study Trip at Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area
  
• Optional Extension Activities
• Stewardship Extension Option: Ecological restoration events are available for schools after participation in the education program.

The Mountains to Sound Education Program is aligned with the EALRs: Essential Academic Learning Requirements (pdf) and is funded by generous grants from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. The program is supported by the American Honda Foundation, Maren-Swenson Fund at the Seattle Foundation, the Klorfine Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Issaquah and donors to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

The Stewardship Extension program received initial funding of a No Child Left Inside grant from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Northwest Biosolids Management Association provided funding for the Savvy about Soil curriculum. Penny Harvest funded Native Plant ID books.

To receive an education brochure and registration information, fill out the Sign Up Form or contact Sally Kentch.