Air, water and land don't recognize district boundaries. That's why solutions must be cooperative and comprehensive. The Port of Tacoma is committed to working with the community to improve our entire environment and find new, more environmentally sensitive ways of doing business.
We're also committed to helping build a vibrant community, and invest in partnerships with community organizations and groups to support a wide variety of events and programs.
Learn more about our involvement in:
Port of Tacoma Endowed Chair
We partnered with the City of Tacoma, SSA Marine and the University of Washington to create the Port of Tacoma Endowed Chair at the University of Washington Tacoma. The chair will lead research at the planned Center for Urban Waters. First research priorities, aiming to focus on issues specific to urban waterfront communities like Tacoma, might include bioremediation, aquaculture and invasive species control. Read more about the Center for Urban Waters.
EverGreen Options
In 2008, the Port signed up for Tacoma Power's EverGreen Options, which supports the development of new wind generation projects in Washington and Oregon. The Port's $700 monthly commitment makes it one of Tacoma Power's largest purchasers of green power. Our customers enthusiastically partner with us to lead the way in more environmentally sensitive business practices. Learn more about our customers' initiatives.
Tall Ships Tacoma
The Port sponsored the 2005 and 2008 Tall Ships Tacoma festivals, which celebrate Tacoma's maritime past. The event includes educational programs and tours of historic vessels. Both the 2005 and 2008 festivals earned Tacoma "Port of the Year" honors from the American Sail Training Association.
Commencement Bay Maritime Fest
At Tacoma's annual Commencement Bay Maritime Fest, the Port provides free boat tours of the Port. Visitors traverse the Sitcum and Blair Waterways, seeing the huge cargo ships and terminal equipment from a unique vantage point - the water. The festival is a project of the Youth Marine Foundation, a local nonprofit sponsoring the Puget Sound chapter of Sea Scouts, which offers educational marine programs to Washington's teen youth and the public.
American Lake Gardens
The City of Lakewood requested a financial partnership with the Port in 2008 to develop a master plan for the industrial redevelopment of American Lake Gardens. The study assesses the feasibility of redeveloping this area of Lakewood. It focuses on identifying ways to attract additional business operations while improving local housing and school options for families.
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Puget Creek Restoration Society
The Port joined the Puget Creek Restoration Society on an educational outreach project to inform citizens about the importance of preserving and restoring urban streams. The Port's support has helped PCRS distribute materials to Tacoma-area residents and businesses about wildlife and fish habitat areas in their community. Information disseminated through this project included an aerial map of the Puget Creek Watershed, a brochure describing volunteer opportunities to protect streams and habitat areas, and information about the Port's environmental restoration efforts.
Coastal Heritage Alliance
The Coastal Heritage Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of our local commercial fishing cultural heritage. The Port has provided financial support for the Alliance's ongoing project to comprehensively stabilize and document a 1925 Skansie Shipyard purse seiner named The Shenandoah. Stabilizing and documenting the vessel is the final phase prior to the full restoration of the vessel, which is scheduled to begin in 2009. In addition, partnership funds from the Port have financed the construction of a new, hand-carved mast for the ship.
Washington State History Museum
In 2008 and 2009, the Port sponsored an exhibit at the Washington State History Museum that examined the role and impact of the railroads in the western United States. The West the Railroads Made recounted how the idea for a Pacific railroad grew in the 1840s and 1850s, came to life in the second half of the 19th century, and reconceived itself to survive new challenges by the late 20th century. Through this exhibit, the public had an opportunity to learn about the vital role domestic and international trade have played in Washington state's economic development. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma.)
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Asia is home to many of our major trading partners, so the Port has worked with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center to help expand local knowledge and appreciation of Asian cultures. The Port has been a proud sponsor of the Center's New Year Celebration, which provides the community with a chance to explore and participate in Asian cultures through song and dance, hands-on experience booths and educational exhibits.
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