*Natural Areas Stewardship Training to be Held in Pierce County January 16 through March 27, 2009* *Thanks to the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation for coordinating a number of grant awards on behalf of the Pierce Conservation District. Of interest to Washington Native Plant Society members and to citizens wishing to become effective leaders of habitat restoration activities is a "Natural Areas Stewardship Training." Collaborating entities include the Washington Native Plant Society, the Green Tacoma Partnership, the Cascade Land Conservancy, the Pierce Conservation District and the City of Tacoma.* * Submission of applications to participate in the 2009 Natural Areas Stewardship Training is set for November 3rd, 2008. * *Up to 25 candidates will be selected to participate in this free 11-week intensive course to take place on consecutive Fridays at the Tacoma Nature Center. Depending upon enrollment, up to 5 candidates may be allowed to participate from outside Pierce County.* *We plan to feature approximately 35 of the region's best known native plant, habitat restoration, horticulture and planning experts for a fun and engaging program! People selected to participate in the 100 hours of training also agree to commit to the return of 100 hours of volunteer time towards personal and designated community projects that benefit members of the Green Tacoma Partnership.* * If you want to learn more about the 2009 Natural Areas Stewardship Training, or if you want to obtain an application for the program, please visit the Washington Native Plant Society's website: **http://www.wnps.org/npsp/npsp.htm* <http://www.wnps.org/npsp/npsp.htm>*, * *or contact Anna Thurston, 2009 Training Coordinator at 253-566-3342 or by email at: **anna.thurston@ssstewardship.org*<anna.thurston@ssstewardship.org> *. * * Here's hoping you can join us! Implementation of the WNPS/GTP Natural Areas Stewardship Training is made possible with a grant from The Green Partnership Fund provided by the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation and the Pierce Conservation District. For more information about the training and our program sponsors and partners, please visit: **http://www.wnps.org/npsp/npsp.htm* <http://www.wnps.org/npsp/npsp.htm>*.* -- Krystal Kyer Conservation Coordinator Tahoma Audubon Society www.tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978