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Photo by Claire Todd Dear Franklin Pierce School District, PLU’s Environmental Methods course focuses on the significance of Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed in our community. We would love to share some of that information with local high school students to promote awareness of the environment around us. Environmental education is becoming increasingly important as Climate Change becomes a hot topic in political discussions. The opportunity for high school and college students to converse about

Dear Residents and Landowners of Clover Creek Watershed Everyone in the community has the power to make Clover Creek a healthier watershed. During our experience at Clover Creek, it has been impossible for anyone to ignore the overwhelming amount of trash in and around the stream. This pollutes the environment, resulting in an unhealthy habitat for all of the organisms within the ecosystem. As a community, we need to ensure that we are disposing of our trash properly, and genuinely caring for

Surface Geology Relationship in the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed  Danielle Skibiel This research regarding recent water quality analysis collection in collaboration with present surface geologic data was inspired by observations made while doing field work for the Environmental Methods 350 course at Pacific Lutheran. This project is derived from an interest in connecting those surface water qualities to surface geologic units, properties, and aquifers present within our Chambers-Clover Creek

inviting creek that encouraged kayaking, fishing, and playing has beco,e a lazy stream in many parts of Parkland. Thankfully, there are still areas, such as the Mayfair Playfield, where the creek is full and flowing. Unfortunately, even here, the creek shows signs of poor maintenance as two picnic tables sit awkwardly among the rocks and fallen branches in the water. Clover Creek stretches roughly seventy-one square miles and is owned by the Chambers-Clover Watershed Council. The watershed has been

human and nonhuman. PLU sits on the traditional lands of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, and Steilacoom peoples, and while Indigenous tribes are all different from one another, many share similar concepts of balance and reciprocity with the Earth. Because of this, harm to the watershed directly impacts the Indigenous peoples who still live here. They live in community with the Earth, and this is an important balance from which I think we all can learn a beneficial lesson. The Euro-American

Photo: https://pierceprairiepost.com/2014/06/17/happy-summer-vacation/ Dear Pierce County Residence, During recent Summer seasons recreational activity in Spanaway lake has been halted by toxic algae blooms. To make the lake safe again for summer activities we must ensure that we reduce fertilizer runoff into the watershed by properly applying product, choosing a variety that requires one coating a year, or planting hardy native species in your lawn that don’t require fertilizer. It’s up to our

These postcards were created by the Spring, 2021 ENVT 350 class, who use photographs and brief messages to share their experience and arguments about the health of the Clover Creek Watershed. Please click on each photo to read the postcards.Allison Sheflo Bethany Taylor Caitlin Ferguson Cooper Claxton Dannie Vashchenko Gabriella Spagnole Grace Godwin Helena Waterton Jonny Maier Julie Rendler Kaitlyn Stabell Luis Reyes Mary Lynn McLeod Ryan Shane Rosey Ireson Sarah Paquet Shalom Wundimu Sophia

and other aquatic organisms. Through small changes like the removal of invasive plant species or creating riparian vegetation planting committees we can see large improvements in water quality, therefore, the health of riparian vegetation should be highly prioritized when considering restoration of the watershed.

contribute to surface water pollution and bioaccumulation through exposure or consumption. For these reasons, I am requesting that for future restoration sites in the Chambers-Clover Creek watershed, the application of herbicides be avoided. Thank you, Sophia McDonald

Camas, a plant native to Washington. Photo by Jenny A. Moore Dear Clover Creek Residents, Pollution is an issue on many people’s minds right now, and it can seem like a big problem. It is easy to lose sight of how an individual can make a difference; however, it is possible for you to make a difference right here in the watershed. When it rains, runoff is produced. Runoff picks up chemicals from cars, lawns, and more along the way, then takes those chemicals directly into the waterway. This is