Summer is in full swing and so are we. We’re sharing some timely resources, funding opportunities, and events bringing community together! Read on to learn about 

• Staying healthy in hot weather 

• A county workshop on climate change and climate justice (for the newbies) 

• Fishing for safe food  

• Opportunities for small communities to build resilience 

• How to share input for our stormwater programs 

• Many, many fun events! 

In solidarity, 

The ECO Climate Equity Team 

As temperatures trend above eighty degrees, pants are swapped for shorts, and hot days transition into hot nights. Knowing how to keep yourself safe from heat related health impacts is essential. While extreme heat affects us all, the unhoused, adults 65+, youth, pregnant people, people with pre-existing health conditions, and outdoor workers are examples of especially vulnerable populations.  

Some community-based solutions to extreme heat include cooling centers, looking out for pets and animals whose paws may be affected by hot surfaces, supporting tree planting, and checking in on loved ones and neighbors. Individual solutions may include taking a cool shower, staying hydrated, keeping spaces dark by shading windows, applying refrigerated lotion, and creating an AC unit using ice and a fan.  

There are many ways to stay informed on all things heat related! For connection to local services like cooling, food, shelter, family care and more dial 211 and visit King County’s emergency alert site. You can find more heat safety and preparedness resources on King County’s extreme heat page. Additionally, check out KC’s new Heat and Health Data Explorer tool to identify and assess your personal connection to extreme heat.  

The Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative- is a network of more than 30 local and county governments, Tribes, regional agencies, and other organizations in the Puget Sound basin working together to build community, economic, and environmental resilience to the impacts of climate change. Using a $2 million climate resilience grant, the collective has launched the Small Communities Cohort program. 

The Small Communities Cohort Program is designed to support climate preparedness projects in nine to 12 small and less-resourced jurisdictions and Tribes throughout the Puget Sound region. The program provides shared staffing and technical resource support for projects that reduce climate hazards and increase community resilience. Priority applicants for the program include: 

• Local jurisdictions (i.e., cities, towns, villages) with a population of 50,000 or less, 

• Counties with an unincorporated area population of 50,000 or less,   

• Federally recognized Salish Sea Tribes, and 

• Tribal organizations. 

Less-resourced medium-sized jurisdictions and counties (population between 50,001 and 100,000) are also encouraged to apply and will be considered based on program demand and capacity. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for more information on the program, including community and project eligibility. There is no fee for participating in the Small Communities Cohort Program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by August 19, 2025, to increase chances of being selected for the program. Priority review will start August 20, 2025. The application window will remain open until program capacity is reached. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. 

Interested applicants can also register to attend an informational webinar on August 14th from 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM.  For any questions regarding the collaborative or the SCCP please email pscpc@kingcounty.gov. 

This entry level workshop is updated from the Climate Justice 101 session we have offered since 2023. Please share with others in your organization or community who haven’t attended previous sessions.    

CJLS: Climate Justice 101  

Date: Wednesday August 27, 2025  

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM   

Location: Zoom. Once you register, you will receive a Zoom link for the meeting by 08/26/25.   

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGZ8RqKOC613-Ep5kAact8DaSfclElr_qTGQslIBWlmWPTXg/viewform 

Storm drains flow directly to local waters. This means the stormwater is not treated or cleaned. The surface water management (SWM) fee is used to build and maintain structures that manage the stormwater that come from buildings and streets.  

If you own and live on property in unincorporated King County and your family income is equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level, you are eligible for a 50% discount on your annual SWM fee. Applications for the low income discount are open now until September 15th. For more information visit this website and for any questions call 206-477-4800 or email at wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov.  

Sustainable Path Foundation will be accepting project funding proposals that address any issue as long as they support the mission of promoting sustainability, health, and climate resiliency in the Puget Sound region through collaborative approaches informed by scientific understanding and systems thinking. Organizations planning to apply should submit a Letter of Inquiry via an online form between September 1st and 30th. Applicants will then be notified whether they are finalists and finalists will be required to submit a full proposal and/or participate in a Zoom informational interview in October.  This is a recurring, twice-a-year opportunity which is now accepting applications for the Fall Impact Cycle. Awards generally offer up to $15,000. 

King Conservation District Community Agriculture Seed Money: Seed Money Grants support the creation of new community agriculture projects and help sustain existing projects. In turn, this promotes resilient food systems and communities and safeguards food sovereignty. Project selection is based on potential for community impact, engagement of diverse groups, and natural resource stewardship. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until September 30th, or until funds are exhausted. Click here to access the application.  

Check out the Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities page and the Northwest Environmental Justice Center’s WA Funding List for databases of other funding resources.  

Sunset Beaver Walk: Join the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS) for a guided beaver nature walk at Longfellow Creek with Beavers Northwest! ECOSS is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant and refugee communities through environmental justice, ecosystem restoration, and community-led stewardship. This event takes place Thursday August 14th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Starting point at Delridge Way SW & SW Graham St, Seattle, WA 98106. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required! 

Conservation Futures Advisory Committee: King County is seeking volunteers to fill three positions on its Conservation Futures Advisory Committee. The committee recommends Conservation Futures grant funding to help local governments and nonprofits purchase parks and open spaces throughout King County. Applicants must live in King County Council District 1, 2, 3, 6, or 8 (confirm your district here). Visit kingcounty.gov/CFT or contact Conservation Futures program coordinator Ingrid Lundin for more information. Apply by August 15th , 2025

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BIPOC Herpetology Walks with the Urban-Woods Initiative: Urban-Woods Initiative member, Nick Sutton—a naturalist, ecologist, and conservationist—will be leading a nature walk focused on discovering and appreciating the diversity of reptiles and amphibians at Discovery Park. These walks are free to join – no experience required – rain or shine! 

Saturday, August 16th 2025 ⏰ 10AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Discovery Park, Seattle, WA (South Parking Lot) 

Watch PBS program All Hands In exploring the Pacific Northwest alongside changemakers reclaiming space for BIPOC voices in the outdoors to meet the founder of these BIPOC walks! 

SOPASUPA: Join Cultivate South Park in a summer celebration of community at the South Park Summer Party Saturday August 16th! The event will include live bands, Lucha Libre, a skate park party, beer garden, food trucks, art market and more!   

Health and Safety Fair: Join the Skyway Coalition and King County Fire District 20 for the annual Health and Safety Fair on Saturday August 16th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event is designed to strengthen community connections, promote public health and safety, and provide visibility for local services and programs.  

Sustainable Agriculture Tour: Join King Conservation District on August 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for a tour of 13 Hens Farm and learn about vegetable farming techniques that support the environment. Participants will take a tour of the farm and learn about farming practices and hear from a farmer on the projects they have completed. Topics will include: 

• Farm conservation plans  

• High tunnels and NRCS funding  

• Integrated pest management for weeds and animal pests 

• Reducing conflict with elk 

• Growing fruit trees in polyculture 

Register for the event here to receive event location information! 

Free Back-to-School Giveaway — Skyway Coalition : Mark your calendars for August 16th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for Skyway Coalition’s Free Back-to-School Giveaway at Southside Church of Christ. They’ll be giving away backpacks, school supplies, food, and fun for students pre-K through 12th grade.  

Back2SchoolBash: Join the Rainier Beach Action Coalition for the 22nd annual Back2School Bash at the Rainier Beach Community Center on August 23rd from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Along with good music, good vibes, and community, the event will include a backpack, school supply, and food drive and giveaway. The purpose of this event is to affirm the value of every child while addressing the socio-economic barriers to learning. There are multiple ways to engage with this event in addition to attending including becoming a sponsor/donor, purchasing a resource booth, or signing up to volunteer.  

Skyway Farmers Market — Skyway Coalition: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month check out the fresh produce being grown by BIPOC farmers that can be purchased using SNAP/EBT, Fresh Bucks, and FMNP currencies at the Skyway Farmers Market.

In honor of our upcoming Climate Justice 101 workshop with the Climate Justice Learning Series, test your knowledge of climate justice in King County with this short trivia survey. The first two readers who score the highest on this quiz will receive a $25 gift card to a local business.