Emerald Hills teacher named Pierce Conservation District Educator of the Year

Congratulations to Laura Young, who received the Pierce Conservation District Educator of the Year award! Laura is a K-2 specialist at Emerald Hills Elementary and also teaches the Laker Life Lab, a specialist class for students in grades K-2. The Pierce Conservation District honored Laura with the award at their annual meeting on Feb. 21.

Laura volunteers on environmental projects, such as studying the impact of human activities on the Lake Tapps watershed, where she partnered to create a 12-month calendar of “water wise” posters made by Emerald Hills students. Most recently, she’s working to secure tools and supplies for a grant project that she’s implementing at the school.

About Laker Life Lab

A blend of indoor and outdoor learning experiences, the Life Lab leverages outdoor spaces for learning activities such as exploring local ecosystems, identifying native plants and animals, tending an herb and vegetable garden, and examining the ecology of several native mini-ecosystems. Students have also created and help maintain a space called Forest School, where they learn to tie knots, investigate fungi and lichen, observe bird nesting sites, and witness the Lake Tapps watershed at work.