The Impacts of Climate Change on x̌əpayac (Western Redcedar) and the Social Justice Implications for Indigenous Culture
Kristen Harrison, Tacoma Community College
Students use botany to explore how cedar trees are affected by climate change and the cultural importance of these trees to local indigenous peoples. As part of a field-based laboratory experience, students participate in a citizen science project that involves collecting data about cedar trees. The activity ends with a civic engagement experience designed and carried out by students to demonstrate how scientists can share their work with the public and with policymakers to address issues of concern to society.

Toxic Hygiene: How Safe Is Your Bathroom?
Danielle Gray, Whatcom Community College
Students learn about potential safety and health concerns of personal hygiene products. Students examine labels and advertisements of these projects and then engage in rhetorical and cultural analysis of these advertisements.

Indigenous Food Relationships: Sociological Impacts on the Coast Salish People
Ane Berrett, Nothwest Indian College
In this unit, students will analyze the macro level of societal influences which have interrupted micro level ecological relationship between plant and man. Sociological concepts such as sub culture, dominant culture, stages of historical change (Hunter Gatherer societies to Technological societies), stratification and poverty will be addressed through the sociological perspective. Students will experience solutions of sustainability which are interdependent with local place and people. Learning activities involve using the "citizen's argument," oral presentations, portfolio creation, written reflections and experiential service learning projects.

Native Plants, Native Peoples: Ethnobotany of the Puget Sound Bioregion
Liz Fortenbery, Tacoma Community College
Students gain a small glimpse into a native knowledge system and the relationship between people and plants, and thus begin to develop or strengthen their own relationship to native plants and the Puget Sound watershed.