9/4: Wildlife Awareness Day

By rebecca No comments

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FEDERAL

  • There are only 26 days left to fill out the 2020 Census, which helps determine how federal funds and representation are allocated to our community.
    • Fill out your form online using your phone, tablet, or computer at my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 to complete over the phone

STATE

  • The state Department of Health has provided a list of things to remember when considering activities for the long Labor Day weekend:
    • Online gatherings are the safest option
    • Seeing people outside is safer than inside
    • Small groups are safer than large groups
    • Less time together is safer than more time together
    • Within six feet, face coverings with people outside your household really are a must
    • No communal food or drinks
    • Skip the hugs and handshakes
    • If you aren’t feeling well, stay home this weekend
  • The health department recommends considering the Walking, running, hiking, biking, Golfing, Camping, water activities, outdoor fitness classes, or trips to u-pick orchards and farms in Phase 2 or Phase 3 counties.
  • The Washington State Department of Health has also stated that it is closely monitoring progress toward development of a vaccine for COVID-19, and are engaged in vaccine planning effort.
    • The department reiterates that all vaccine candidates are still in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy, and is of the opinion that any COVID-19 vaccine should complete Phase 3 trials before being distributed, unless an independent board of scientists reviewing the data finds otherwise based on data from those trials.
    • The department states that when a vaccine is ready, they will be prepared to deploy it in an equitable, safe, and timely manner for Washingtonians.

PIERCE COUNTY

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County health department announced yesterday that Pierce County students in kindergarten through fifth grade were authorized to return to partial in-person schooling due to a drop in COVID-19 cases during a two-week period in time.
    • Distance learning is still recommended, but districts may opt to bring elementary schoolers on campus.
    • Superintendents from 14 districts in the county, including Tacoma, University Place, Fife, and Puyallup, stated that all schools will remain in remote learning mode till at least Sept 22nd.
    • Tacoma Public Schools officials have stated that any transition to in-person learning for k-5 students would occur over a 3-week transition period.
  • The Economic Development Board of Tacoma and Pierce County is opening applications for a Vitality Grant at 10am, Wednesday, Sept 9th.
  • Pierce County Parks’ “Meet Me in the Park” program for specialized recreation now lists September dates open for registration.
    • Park staff hold sessions at Frontier, Chambers, Titlow, Spanaway, Meridian, Jefferson, and Wapato parks.
    • Activities are safe, inclusive, developmentally responsive, and socially-distanced, and open to all ages.
    • Pre-registration is required at piercecountywa.gov/meetmeinthepark
  • The “Learn to Skate” programming is back at Sprinker Recreation Center’s ice arena–register by calling 253-798-4000

TACOMA

  • This evening at 8 PM the city of Tacoma and Pretty Gritty Tours are hosting a free virtual tour of Tacoma’s waterfront, with guided talks about our city’s maritime history.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free testing sites in our region:
  • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
  • This weekend and next week’s Pierce County mobile testing events include:
    • Saturday, Sept 5 University of Washington Tacoma will testing 10am-3pm
    • PLU will hold walk-up testing on Tuesday Sept 8 and Wednesday Sept 9, 9:30am-3:30pm
    • On Thursday, Sept 10, both Centro Latino in Hilltop and UW Tacoma will hold testing 10am-3pm
    • The Puyallup Tribe will offer free COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Sept 10th for its government employees 10am-noon and for Tribal members noon-3pm.
    • Tacoma Community College’s mobile testing event is Friday, Sept 11th 10am-3pm
  • No ID is required, and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Patients can also call their health providers for tests.

WILDLIFE

  • It’s Wildlife Awareness Day! And Mount Rainier National park wants you to know that if you’re planning to recreate in the park this weekend to see our wonderful wildlife, be sure to be prepared with wilderness essentials, make sure you’re ready for warm temperatures, bring lots of water, and limit campfires because of weather conditions that risk fire danger.
    • The park is also seeking feedback regarding crowding along the trails at Paradise. Fill out their survey at go.usa.gov/xfpjG.
    • From forest floors to alpine summits across an elevation difference of approximately 13,000 feet, Mount Rainier creates a variety of habitats and life zones. This change in elevation provides a diversity of environments for 65 mammal species, 14 species of amphibians, 5 species of reptiles, 14 species of native fish and 182 species of birds. From the highly visible Canada Jay to the more obscure alpine climbers, like mountain goats, wildlife is easily seen throughout the park.
    • It is the responsibility of the National Park Service to understand and protect the variety of life the parks support. As a visitor, you can help too! When driving, slow down and watch for wildlife on the road.
    • To help protect yourself, park staff, and wild animals, please do not feed them.
    • And finally, did you know that you can contribute to our knowledge of park wildlife by reporting your wildlife observations? Any bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, fish, bee, bug, butterfly or other invertebrate can be entered into our online database, which includes a feature to upload photos: https://arcg.is/rLOiy
    • If you’re Not sure what you saw? Check out our Animals of Mount Rainier webpage: https://go.usa.gov/xGxJU