Learning about nature at Sehmel Homestead Park

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Liz Ellis

Exploring and learning about plants, trees and animals at Sehmel Homestead Park

Families and neighbors learned more about Sehmel Homestead Park at a September 27 talk and tour. Great Peninsula Conservancy organized this event to encourage people to explore the park’s natural areas.

Bill Sehmel talks about his family’s homestead

Several speakers explained how local government and community organizations came together to acquire the 120-year old homestead, making this 98-acres the “diamond” of PenMet Parks.

We visited a demonstration garden (even saw a tomato-potato plant!) and walked along meadows, wetlands and a mature forest. Kids looked for different leaves and pinecones, trying to identify plants and trees.

Active recreation and natural areas

Sehmel Homestead Park in Gig Harbor includes 22 acres of active recreation, such as top-notch soccer and baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground for kids of all abilities.

In addition, the park features 75 acres of natural areas protected by a conservation easement. Great Peninsula Conservancy holds this conservation easement, and encourages neighbors to connect with nature close to home.

Trail project: November 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Help take care of Sehmel Homestead Park by restoring an old trail back to nature. In this “Art of Wilderness Gardening,” Great Peninsula Conservancy will show how to replace an unwanted trail with rocks, branches and leaves. We’ll also plant new plants. After we’re done, this “decommissioned trail” will be part of the forest again. Contact Kate for more information or to RSVP at (360) 373-3500 and kate@greatpeninsula.org.

See the flyer for the Nov. 7 trail stewardship day.

More pictures of the Sept. 27 nature walk are available on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/engagenorthwest/sets/72157656111652434

Disclaimer: Engage Northwest is a communications consultant for Great Peninsula Conservancy on this project.

Celebrated U.S.-China relationship at Chinese Reconciliation Park

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Liz Ellis

Photo of welcome to Chinese Reconciliation Park

Flags wave and tigers dance to welcome Minister Qiu to Chinese Reconciliation Park

We welcomed China’s Minister Qiu Yuan Ping to Chinese Reconciliation Park yesterday. Minister Qiu’s visit builds on Tacoma’s Sister City relationship with Fuzhou, and is part of China’s official visit to the United States. President Xi visits Seattle and Tacoma this week.

The special ceremony included speakers from Tacoma Public Schools, Chief Leschi School, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tacoma City Council, and Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation. Two students from Tacoma’s Sherman Elementary were honored to present flowers and meet the minister.

Chinese Minister Qiu speaks at the Fuzhou Ting in Tacoma

Minister Qiu — the Minister of Overseas Chinese Commission in the China State Department — recognized the importance of Chinese workers in helping build the transcontinental railroad in the United States. The railroad strengthened America’s economy, and its terminus was Tacoma.

Minister Qiu emphasized education and collaboration in the U.S.-China relationship. Many Tacoma-based schools and colleges were represented at the ceremony, including Bates Technical College, Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound. They offer exchange programs and opportunities to learn about and study in China.

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Tacoma’s Lincoln High School. Nathan Gibbs-Bowling, a teacher at Lincoln, was just named the Washington teacher of the year. President Xi will visit Mr. Bowling’s government class. This video shows how the students are preparing for this historic visit.

For more information

More photos from the event at Chinese Reconciliation Park are available on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/engagenorthwest/albums/72157656606146903

Engage with Chinese delegation in Tacoma

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Liz Ellis

Before meeting President Obama, the President of China will visit Washington, including a stop in Tacoma on September 23. As the News Tribune reports, President Xi Jinping will visit Tacoma’s Lincoln High School. His visit is an honor, and it emphasizes the importance of Tacoma in the U.S.-China relationship.

“Tacoma is an international port city,” as Mayor Marilyn Strickland says in a press release. The city has established economic, cultural, and educational ties with China, and President Xi previously visited Tacoma when he worked for Fuzhou nearly 21 years ago. He helped establish the Tacoma-Fuzhou Sister City relationship.

Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit @CityofTacoma next week – 21 yrs after the est. of #SisterCity relationship http://t.co/kA4rhZCpzF

— Sister Cities International (@SisterCitiesInt) September 17, 2015

The Moon Princess poses at the Fuzhou Ting during Chinese Moon Festival 2014

Thanks to the people of Fuzhou, Tacoma’s waterfront features a beautiful Fuzhou Ting in the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park.

The community will have several opportunities to engage with the Chinese delegation during their visit. As indicated in the World Affairs Council Tacoma’s recent newsletter, the World Trade Center Tacoma and World Affairs Council Tacoma will host several events for the Chinese delegation and Tacoma community:

Reconciliation Park Celebration, Sept. 21, 9:30 a.m. at Chinese Reconciliation Park. Please arrive by 9 a.m. Free!
Fuzhou-Tacoma Sister Cities photo exhibit, opening ceremony, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Wine Social, Sept, 22, 6 – 8 p.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Luncheon, Sept. 23, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway Ave. $40.
World Affairs Council: Consular Association Reception, Sept. 24, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Annie Wright Schools, 827 N. Tacoma Ave. $40 for members; $50 for nonmembers.

How excited is Tacoma about this historic visit? Check out this KING 5 video and KUOW radio broadcast about how Lincoln High School is preparing! Teacher Nate Bowling tweets:

Excited to announce we'll be having Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping in our gov class next week. It'll be an honor to welcome him & the First Lady.

— Abe the Emancipator (@Lincoln_AP_GOV) September 16, 2015

Engage Northwest will be at many of these events — hope to see you there, too! Let’s give the Chinese delegation a warm welcome and show our appreciation for this wonderful, international relationship!

Lincoln HS gets ready for President Xi’s visit

For more information:

Sept. 22-23 Pacific Northwest – China Trade and Investment Summit at the World Trade Center Tacoma
Doing business with China through the Port of Tacoma and Northwest Seaport Alliance

Explore nature on Sept. 27 tour at Sehmel Homestead Park

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Liz Ellis

Walk on the trail at Sehmel Homestead Park

Sehmel Homestead Park in Gig Harbor boasts some of the best baseball and soccer fields in the South Sound. Did you know that most of this park consists of natural areas — meadows, ponds and forests? Find out more on a guided trail walk, September 27 from 2-4 pm. This free event is open to everyone!

You can learn about the park’s history, life on the homestead and opportunities to take care of the trail. Refreshments are provided. See the event flyer for details.

For more information, contact Great Peninsula Conservancy. Hope to see you there!

Disclaimer: Engage Northwest is a communications consultant for Great Peninsula Conservancy on this project.

Puget Sound Grassroots Grants

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Liz Ellis

Nonprofits can obtain a Puget Sound Grassroots Grant with the Rose Foundation to protect Puget Sound. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 (some are more). Applications are due September 18, 2015. Good luck!