Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm for a Regional Environmental Education Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm for a Regional Environmental Education Program (REEP).
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm for REEP.
Staff Contact:
Timmie Maturan-Lee, Environmental Services Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.742.2620.
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The proposed Interlocal Agreement supports the City’s ongoing commitment in providing high quality environmental education and outreach services to residents throughout Olympia and Thurston County. In 1989, Olympia City Council directed Storm and Surface Water Utility staff to create a program focused on volunteer engagement and environmental education. In response, the City launched Stream Team with a mission of protecting, restoring and enhancing water quality and associated habitats through community engagement and action. Since its creation in 1990, Stream Team has grown into a regional collaborative effort among the Stormwater Utilities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County. Over the past 35 years, Stream Team programming has connected community members to local watersheds, increased awareness of stormwater pollution prevention practices, and inspired stewardship through hands-on science-based activities and workshops.
After the issuance of the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit) in 2007, the regional partnership scope expanded to support coordinated compliance with Permit requirements across geographic boundaries and watersheds. The Permit encourages jurisdictions to collaborate on public education and outreach activities which improve water quality outcomes throughout the region (S5.C.2). Approval of this agreement will allow the City of Yelm to join the regional program partnership.
Funding for the REEP is included within Olympia’s Storm and Surface Water Utility operating budget. Olympia’s maximum annual contribution under the agreement is $31,200, representing a proportional share of the program costs based on service area population. The agreement will not increase workload demands of Olympia staff.
Climate Analysis:
Stream Team supports Olympia’s climate and environmental goals by partnering with local non-profit organizations such as Pacific Shellfish Institute (PSI) and the Puget Sound Estuarium (Estuarium). These partnerships provide locally-focused education regarding climate change impacts in South Puget Sound. PSI provides education on issues such as ocean acidification and impacts of climate change on local marine ecosystems and the shellfish industry, while providing guidance on how coastal communities can respond. The Estuarium emphasizes the importance of marine biodiversity and underwater carbon sinks, such as kelp forests and estuarine habitats unique to the South Puget Sound region. These efforts align with Olympia’s climate change mitigation strategies by supporting the preservation and management of forests and ecosystems that sequester carbon and improve environmental resilience.
In addition to educational partnerships, Stream Team coordinates hands-on science and stewardship programs that help community members understand the impacts of climate change. Stream Team partners with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to host Habitat at Home Workshops across Thurston County. During these workshops, staff emphasize the importance of creating biodiverse landscapes that support local wildlife amid climate change. By replacing lawns with native plants, workshop participants help to build more diverse landscapes which require less water, fertilizers and pesticides. Plants distributed at these workshops help increase canopy coverage in urban areas, helping to combat urban heat islands.
Equity Analysis:
The REEP partners goal is to ensure our education, outreach and engagement programs are inclusive, accessible and representative of the entire community, resulting in fair distribution of benefits and services throughout the County. Stream Team develops an Equity Action Plan every two years, to guide efforts aimed at co-creating programs and improving engagement with overburdened and/or underserved communities. Key strategies adopted into annual workplans include:
• Co-creating programs with overburdened and/or underserved community members.
• Partnering with community-based organizations to improve access and participation.
• Translating and transcreating outreach materials which prioritize key web pages and educational content.
• Providing transportation assistance, food, interpretative services and other incentives which allow wider public involvement.
• Adopting accessibility standards for all printed and electronic outreach materials and platforms.
According to the 2024 US Census, Hispanic or Latinx communities represent approximately 11% of Thurston County’s population, making this one of the region’s largest demographic groups. Stream Team partners with local organization services to provide Spanish language community events, such as the Celebracion del Salmon held at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, to celebrate salmonid migration and life history, Chinook hatchery practices, and cultural relevance through storytelling and community engagement. As part of the 2024-2029 Permit requirements, Stream Team is piloting a community ambassador program with Latinx communities to support stormwater education and stewardship efforts. The program focuses on building relationships, increasing participation, addressing community-specific barriers and promoting adoption of storm drains through community based outreach strategies.
Additionally, Stream Team, in partnership with Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (WSNLA), provides a Spanish language certificate program focused on natural yard care practices for professional landscapers. During its inaugural year, the program achieved an 82% completion rate among participating landscaping professionals.
The partnership prioritizes education and outreach activities in areas where water quality vulnerabilities, or known water quality concerns, overlap with underserved populations.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Over the last 35 years, residents throughout Olympia and Thurston County have become familiar with and supportive of Stream Team and its wide range of educational and stewardship programs. The regional partnership allows delivery of high-quality programs in a coordinated, cost-effective manner and events are designed to meet people where they are at. According to the 2025 Annual Report, over 800 households across the county participated in Stream Team programming, and volunteers contributed 1,800 hours to reducing stormwater pollution and improving local habitat.
Financial Impact:
Funding for REEP is included within the Olympia Storm and Surface Water Utility’s operating budget. Olympia’s maximum annual contribution under the agreement is $31,200, with a total cost of $156,000 over the life of the 5-year Agreement. Cost allocations are based on proportional population within participating service areas.
This is not an increase in the predicted funding for these work efforts.
Options:
1. Move to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm for a Regional Environmental Education Program (REEP). This allows the City to continue its commitment to offering collaborative educational opportunities through the partnership.
2. Modify the Interlocal Agreement. Because each jurisdiction is routing its approval process, modifications would require additional review and approval by the partner agencies and could delay implementation of planned work efforts.
3. Do not approve the request to sign the Interlocal Agreement. Without an Agreement, regional coordination among participating jurisdictions would become less efficient and effective, reducing opportunities for shared programming and collaborative outreach.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
2025 Regional Environmental Education Program Annual Report