The Russell Family Foundation

TRFF grantee Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was the first and is still the only organization focused on stopping water pollution sources throughout the Puget Sound basin. This summer, in partnership with Unleash the Brilliance (UTB), a youth mentorship organization, they will create a paid summer internship program for UTB’s Youth Leaders to use Springbrook Creek as an outdoor learning classroom. https://lnkd.in/gHHnXxc

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center aims to inspire the conservation of the Salish Sea by providing programs for youth to experience the marine environment firsthand. As a TRFF Environmental Education grantee, they will support outdoor programs and activities for 540 students in Jefferson and Kitsap counties. https://ptmsc.org/

📝 New blog on the Russell Family Foundation’s approach to investing for climate: “By investing early in climate solutions, we are not only investing in the future by helping to reduce emissions sooner and prevent more severe longer term damage, but we are also giving ourselves a greater opportunity to generate financial returns by doing so. Early action is also more cost-effective for everyone, and helps ensure that future generations can enjoy a more stable and sustainable Earth.” ▶️Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gYUtzTCt #climateaction #sustainablefinance

The Pacific Education Institute has equitably advanced civil and scientific literacy and deepened student engagement through real-world science outdoors. The Environmental Education grant will provide stipends for students participating in the Youth Engaged Sustainability Systems courses focused on green economy workforce skills, supporting 96 students each year. Read more about their work: https://lnkd.in/gvQq8YPX

The countdown is on! Jane’s Fellowship Program will begin the application process for Class 12 on July 15, 2024. Jane’s Fellowship Program (JFP) is a year-long program that brings together a diverse group of leaders who are actively serving Pierce County and working to address a wide range of community challenges. The goal of JFP is to deepen leadership skills, expand perspectives and encourage equitable collaborations for grassroots and community leaders. In this 12-month, cohort-based program, Fellows meet twice monthly to share in skills training, experiential learning and community building. Learn more about the program: https://lnkd.in/deGzgGN

Northwest Youth Corps’ mission is to provide youth and young adults opportunities to learn, grow and succeed. As a TRFF grantee, Northwest Youth Corp will host an upcoming Sound to Summit program, which will serve 60 youth each year and six adult supervisors across Tacoma, Lakewood and Olympia. The curriculum fosters an understanding of environmental impact and potential outdoor careers, addressing staff shortages in agencies like the National Park Service. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/giRbng4x

Continuing our series featuring grantees in TRFF's Environmental Education portfolio is Nisqually Reach Nature Ctr. Nisqually Ranch Nature Center is dedicated to advancing the understanding and conservation of the Nisqually Estuary through education, interpretation and community science. Their staff-led programs emphasize scientific discovery and cater to K-12 students, high schools, colleges and communities in Pierce and Thurston County. https://lnkd.in/gPGSrM-9

Two years ago, our Catalytic Climate Finance Program (CCF) was born. 💡 So, what’s in store this year for our work to advance climate solutions? ⏩ Read about our intentions around transparency, sharing our learnings, collaboration and maximizing real-world impact from our CEO, Kathleen Simpson, here: https://lnkd.in/gcWvdHdS

Harbor WildWatch's mission is to inspire stewardship for the Salish Sea by providing equitable learning opportunities about the environment to our community and beyond. The TRFF Environmental Education grantee offers various education programs and activities that engage students, adults and families in protecting local marine resources, serving 25,000 youth from Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston counties. https://lnkd.in/gt6tAeD2

TRFF Environmental Education grantee Great Peninsula Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting the natural habitats, rural landscapes and open spaces of the Great Peninsula region of West Puget Sound. Learn more about them, including their Land Labs program, which engages 1,200 Kitsap County middle school students through environmental science projects: https://lnkd.in/gjkwT6TK