Project Overview:
Labateyah’s garden and water stewardship project, supported by a generous grant from King County Waterworks, provides a unique opportunity to youth and young adults at Labateyah Bridge Housing. Labateyah provides Native youth with crisis housing, rapid rehousing programming, holistic support services and aims to foster connection and a sense of belonging.
The garden provides a plethora of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used in our youth meal services, as well as in the UIATF’s Native Elders Program lunches that are hosted at Labateyah. In addition, we cultivate such an abundance of produce we are able to regularly donate many pounds to local food banks each year.
Our environmental internship and water stewardship education program can provide a gateway to meaningful careers in the environmental field. This initiative aims to educate and empower young people, encouraging them to take an active role in environmental sustainability, water conservation, and food sovereignty.
Project Goals & Objectives:
1. Environmental Internships and Education
The project offers environmental internships designed to build knowledge and job skills in the areas of:
- Water Quality
- Water Conservation
- Sustainable Gardening
- Food Sovereignty
With a focus on Native cultural values and traditions, our internships will run in 4–6 week sessions, engaging 6–10 interns throughout the project’s duration (September 2024 – September 2026). Each internship is paired with hands-on training and mentorship by a supervisor, with the goal of equipping participants with the tools they need to pursue careers in environmental fields.
2. Community Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities
A key component of our project is community outreach. We aim to increase community awareness and participation by:
- Hosting garden volunteer days to engage residents and local community members.
- Building a social media presence that reaches at least 100 people with updates and outreach materials on the project.
- Recruiting 4 consistent volunteers and 15 total volunteers to help grow and sustain the initiative.
3. Educational Sessions on Water Quality & Sustainability
We will host at least two educational sessions on topics such as:
- Water Sustainability
- Sustainable Gardening Practices These sessions are designed to educate the broader community on important environmental issues, including water conservation and local gardening initiatives.
4. Collaboration and Partnership Development
A key part of the project’s long-term success is maintaining and developing partnerships with other community organizations, environmental groups, and businesses. By working together, we can expand the scope of the project and amplify its impact.
Project Impacts & Benefits:
This project will provide lasting benefits to both the youth in our program and the broader community. By connecting young Native adults to career opportunities in the environmental sector, we’re creating a pathway for a more sustainable future.
Additionally, the project directly benefits the local water quality and wastewater treatment systems by educating the next generation on the importance of water stewardship and sustainability.
Expected Outcomes:
- Produce approximately 1,500 lbs of produce annually through sustainable gardening efforts.
- Offer 4–8 internship sessions over the next two years, providing critical hands-on job training in environmental and water stewardship fields.
- Recruit a minimum of 15 volunteers to assist with garden projects and community outreach.
How You Can Get Involved:
Volunteer: Help us maintain our gardens, support educational sessions, and assist with outreach efforts. Whether you have a few hours or a lot of time to contribute, we’d love to have you on board! Click here to email our Garden Intern Supervisor!
Donate: Your generous donation helps fund our educational programs, provide internship opportunities, and support sustainable gardening and water conservation efforts. Supplies we can use are: seeds, fertilizer, and garden tools/equipment. Click here to donate to UIATF!
Become a Trainer: Share your expertise and mentor a young intern in environmental sustainability or water conservation. Click here to email our Garden Intern Supervisor!
Contact Us
For more information on the Labateyah Native Water Stewards Project, please reach out to us via:
- Phone: 206-781-8303
- Email: abarad@unitedindians.org