Port Gamble Sklallam Foundation

THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO BENEFIT THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE, ITS MEMBERS AND ITS MISSION.

HERONSWOOD GARDEN:THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF HERONSWOOD GARDEN, A 15-ACRE BOTANICAL GARDEN THAT COLLECTS, PROPAGATES, AND PRESERVES PLANT SPECIES. HERONSWOOD COLLABORATES WITH ACADEMIC ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC GARDENS AND PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCES FOR COMMUNITY, VISITORS, AND TRIBAL AND GARDEN MEMBERS WHILE ALSO STRIVING TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS OF THE ROLE AND CULTURE OF THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE. HERONSWOOD'S DISPLAY GARDENS HAVE BEEN FEATURED INTERNATIONALLY AS AN EXAMPLE OF CREATIVE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE, AND BOTANICALLY IMPRESSIVE PLANTSMANSHIP AND GARDEN DESIGN. GARDEN DEVELOPMENT IS GUIDED BY THE VISION AND UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT STEERING COMMITTEE, A COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN, AND A SKILLED, TRAINED, AND EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT STAFF.IN 2020, THE GARDEN RECEIVED GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, MEMBERS, AND DONORS TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH THREATS OF COVID PANDEMIC. A NEW DOUBLE-WIDE MANUFACTURED HOME WAS INSTALLED TO PROVIDE SEGREGATED ADMINISTRATIVE WORK SPACES AND RESTROOMS FOR GARDEN STAFF, A GUEST SERVICES/TICKETING WINDOW THAT ALLOWS SAFER DISTANCING BETWEEN STAFF AND VISITORS, AND ENLARGED ACCESS AND WAITING AREAS. A BROADCAST SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE GARDEN TO ENHANCE DISTANCING FOR GUIDED TOURS; OUTDOOR HARDSCAPED AREAS WERE CREATED TO PROVIDE STAFF AND VISITORS WITH OPEN AIR MEETING AND CLASSROOM SPACES, COMMUNICATIONS WERE MAINTAINED DIGITALLY, AND MANY LECTURES, CLASSES, AND MEETINGS WENT LIVE ONLINE.

NATIVE AMERICAN AGRICULTURE FUND RESILIENCY PROJECT:THE NAAF RESILIENCY PROJECT SUPPORTS TRIBAL FISHERS AND HARVESTERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL CITIZEN-OWNED BUSINESSES TO SAFELY MARKET FRESH FISH AND VALUE-ADDED SEAFOOD PRODUCTS DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS, THROUGH ROADSIDE SALES ON THE RESERVATION. THE PGST NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT STAFF AND PROJECT PARTNERS DEVELOPED A COURSE CURRICULUM COVERING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, BUSINESS PLANNING, AND SEAFOOD PRODUCT HANDLING TECHNIQUES. WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED TO PGST FISHERS DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD. PARTICIPATING, ELIGIBLE FISHERS RECEIVED SUPPORTIVE RE-GRANTS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATED IN IMPACT ASSESSMENT. INFRASTRUCTURE WAS ALSO SECURED TO INCREASE SEAFOOD ROADSIDE SALES VIABILITY, INCLUDING DEDICATED SIGNAGE, POP-UP MARKET STALLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT MIDDLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM:A PROJECT OF THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM CAREER ENRICHMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WITHIN A CULTURE-BASED CONTEXT. PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS PROGRAM HAVE INCLUDED STUDENT CLASSROOM AND FIELD RESEARCH INTO TRADITIONAL PLANTS AND THEIR USES, AND BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN BOTH ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES AND TRIBAL CULTURAL TRADITIONS, PRACTICES, AND BELIEFS. ADDITIONAL TRAINING REVOLVED AROUND THE STEM-BASED SKILLS NECESSARY TO BUILD AND OPERATE A TRADITIONAL COAST SALISH STYLE CANOE WITH TRIBAL ELDER INSTRUCTORS. THE PROGRAM, FUNDED BY THE THE RUSSELL FAMILY FOUNDATION, PRESENTS STEM EDUCATION THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF TRIBAL ELDER KNOWLEDGE AND PARTICIPATION AND MODERN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. STUDENTS SHOW MORE INTEREST IN STEM FIELDS AND TYPICALLY TEST AT OR ABOVE THEIR GRADE LEVEL IN MATH, READING, AND SCIENCE, WHILE CONCURRENTLY BECOMING BETTER STEWARDS OF THE LAND AND PREPARING MORE EFFECTIVELY FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN 2020 WAS MITIGATED BY TECHNOLOGY, OUTDOOR AND COMPUTER CLASSROOM ACCESS, AND SMALL, DISTANCED GROUP ACTIVITIES.