Nichole Embertson

I will connect with a local organization or environmental effort, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

I will write or call my elected officials to express my support for environmental action that impacts orca and/or salmon habitat in both policy and practice.

Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support and seek out conservation organizations lead by people of color in my community, as their efforts address environmental justice, Puget Soundand/or Pacific Ocean health.

Recruit 2+ friends/family/neighbors and together remove invasive vegetation from our home/apartment building/neighborhood that is in a watershed upstream of downstream salmon and orcas.

I will use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs because in summer a drop for me may be one less for salmon, which then warms streams or can impair salmon streamflows.

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and stop using fertilizers so my footprint in my ecosystem doesn't harm the Puget Sound and/or Pacific Ocean downstream.

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers to minimize my water footprint, as in many watersheds, a drop for me is one less for salmon, which then warms streams or impairs salmon streamflows.

Identify, lead and host simple environmental education activities, that help the Puget Sound and/or Pacific Ocean, for 2 young people I know.

I will tend to a garden each day, or work on starting one to keep my food local, minimize my climate carbon footprint and therefore reduce my impact to the Puget Sound and/or Pacific Ocean.

I will practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends to minimize my downstream impact in my watershed.

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

I will use the resource links provided and spend 30 minutes learning how Washington’s Indigenous Communities are working to support Orca health, and what I can do to support them.

When I wash my car I will always take it to a commercial car wash facility to avoid driveway drainage of toxic chemicals entering the storm drain and local waterways, poisoning fish and Orcas in Puget Sound and/or the Pacific Ocean.

I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local Puget Sound producers.