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The mission of the Pierce Conservation District is to protect the natural resources and promote sustainable agriculture of Pierce County by empowering local individuals and communities. Pierce Conservation District works to enhance and protect the following resources:
· Soil · Water · Biodiversity · Salmon and Shellfish · Native Plants
The Green Partnership Fund supports projects that promote efforts by partner organizations to achieve Pierce Conservation District’s Mission. Projects must protect the natural resources and/or promote sustainable agriculture of Pierce County. Pierce Conservation District understands there are many valuable projects happening in each watershed but GPF money will first be given to projects that fall within the following focus areas by watershed: Nisqually: Pervious surfaces, Salmon, Total maximum daily load (TMDL). Puyallup: Farmland loss, Pervious surfaces, Salmon, Total maximum daily load (TMDL). Chambers-Clover: Pervious surfaces, Water quality. Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands: Shellfish, Water quality. Funding Priorities are listed from highest to lowest.
Implementation of an on-the-ground project that will directly conserve or protect the natural resources defined in Pierce Conservation District’s strategic plan. · A natural resource of Pierce County is conserved or enhanced by using best environmental management practices. · Local organization partner with local famers to implement best management practices (BMP). · Agricultural soil preserved. Example Project(s): 1. 2010 Rain Garden Installation, Narrows View Intermediate School Project not only implemented an on-the-ground project to protect water quality, the project included project specific and ongoing education and outreach with the finished product.
2. 2010 Silver Creek Restoration and Trail Building Project focuses on restoring a 900’ stretch of Silver Creek while also partnering with a local school to complete large portions of the on the ground work. Silver Creek is a tributary to Meeker and Clarks Creeks, which have TMDL’s for temperature. 3. Cover Crops A project that coordinates several crop famers in a sub-basin to cooperatively purchase and use cover crops. Measurement of soil retention and crop productivity to be shared with the community. 4. Farmer best management practice (BMP) implementation and tour A farmer partners with an organization to implement a BMP. Farmer and organization put on several workshops and/or tours of property and BMP to use as an example. Measurement of how a natural resource is improved to be shared with the community.
Outreach/Education that will cause citizens to take action to directly conserve or protect the natural resources defined in Pierce Conservation District’s strategic plan. · Citizens are given the opportunity to work directly with conservation groups to aid in project goals. · Citizens have opportunities to gain knowledge about the natural resources of Pierce County through action projects and/or workshops. · Farmers gain direct experience learning about and are given incentive to implement the future of agriculture, production methods, and business planning to start or grow an agriculture business. Example Project(s): 1. 2009 Bioblitz, Tahoma Audubon Project brought in community volunteers to learn about native wildlife and biodiversity in an area and conduct surveys over a 24 hour period. Restoration and enhancement plans are created for the area based on volunteer collected information. 2. 2010 Growing Our Future, Tacoma Farmers Market Project aids two local farmers enter into the farmers market. Organization begins with educational workshops to identify potential farmers, followed by taking two farms through the entire season; helping with knowing how much to grow and when, how to market your farm, etc. 3. 2010 Gallucci Learning Garden, Guadalupe Land Trust A demonstration garden is created to educate local neighbors and interested community members about the ability to grow healthy, edible plants within your landscape. Volunteers have been part of the planning and creation of the garden and will sustain the educational program. Planning, assessment or design that will lead to the direct implementation of an on-the-ground project within 5 years. Example Project(s): 1. 2009 Mt. Rainier Gateway Management Plan, Nisqually River Basin Land Trust Project brought together community members and stakeholders to create a management plan for the Mt. Rainier Gateway. The management plan is now being used to prioritize projects and seek grants. Implementation of project that will indirectly conserve or protect the natural resources defined in Pierce Conservation District’s strategic plan. · Growers have opportunities to circulate food to urban populations within the Pierce County community. · Farm infrastructure or tool that aids in profitability of farm business. Example Project(s): 1. 2010 Orting Valley Farms Irrigation Improvement, PCC Farmland Trust GPF purchased irrigation pipes to supply water to three organic farmers on PCC Farmland Trust property. Irrigation is a critical part of farming and preserving farmland and correctly irrigated farmland reduces over watering, erosion and runoff. 2. 2010 Farm Equipment Purchase, Emergency Food Network GPF purchased needed farm equipment to allow organization to continue providing farming based educational events to the community.
Outreach/Education that will cause citizens to take action to indirectly conserve or protect the natural resource defined in Pierce Conservation District’s strategic plan. · Citizens understand the importance of natural resource conservation. · Citizens understand the importance of agriculture in relation to economy, environment, health, community, and culture. · Citizens have opportunities to learn about growing, agriculture, and local food. Example Project(s): 1. 2010 Rain Garden Training Program, Stewardship Partners Project supported classroom workshops to educate homeowners on the immediate impact a rain garden has on reducing stormwater pollution. Development of a concept level design that will lead to the implementation of an on-the-ground project within 5 years. Example Project(s): 1. 2007 Snake Lake pre-purchase planning, Cascade Land Conservancy Project aided in funding for appraisals and title work, as well as staff time, to expedite the acquisition of 13 acres near Snake Lake. Research Projects: (must support at least one of the above priorities) · Research projects may be funded only if in partnership with a federal or state agency, as outlined in Chapter 89.08.220 RCW. Example Project(s): 1. 2007 Commencement Bay Eelgrass Restoration Study, University of Puget Sound Project purchased sampling equipment for students to use in studying the effects of buried wood on eelgrass populations.
To qualify for a grant from the Green Partnership Fund, projects must address one of the above mentioned Funding Priorities and serve citizens in an above mentioned area.
In addition, agencies will be evaluated on:
Measurable Benefits: Project will show measurable benefits in Pierce County within five years.
Project Partners: Project involves multiple partner groups or agencies.
Community Involvement: Project implements an effective strategy to involve the public.
Evaluation Strategy: Project demonstrates the means to measure its effectiveness.
External Resources: Project uses Green Partnership Funds to leverage additional resources (i.e. additional funding sources).
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