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Photo credit: Katie Lott

Annual Educational Conference
"Strengthening Environmental Health for a Sustainable Future"

             May 8-10                      Tacoma, WA                            Hotel Murano

THE CONFERENCE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
 
WHEN:  May 8-10, 2023
tentative schedule:
  • May 8: Afternoon sessions
    • Lunch provided​
  • May 9: Full day of sessions
    • Breakfast, lunch provided​
  • May 10: Morning sessions
    • Breakfast, lunch provided​
Parking Fee:
$24/day 
$18/day  if staying at hotel
Draft Agenda
field trips and preconference sessions listed below....
WSBRS CEU form - copies will also be available at Registration
​​

Hotel Murano

 

1320 Broadway

Tacoma, WA 98402

Hotel Reservation Deadline:

April 13, 2023

ph: 877-239-0882, 8-5, M-F

Group:

Washington State Environmental Health Assn 2023

 

WSEHA 2023 Booking Link

Organizations registering multiple employees: email Megan to get information on group registration process

REGISTRATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Early bird pricing ends March 31st!  Registrations must be received by 11:59 p.m. to receive the discount.  Prices increase $50 after that.

Early Bird Pricing

WSEHA Member, full conference: $400

WSEHA Member, M or W: $130

WSEHA Member, Tues: $180

Non-Member, full conference: $450

Non-Member, M or W: $180

Non-Member, Tues: $230

Student: $180

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION

Pricing:

Non-profit/Education org. - $250

Regular - $500

For more info, click here to visit the Exhibitor and Sponsor webpage.

Unable to attend but willing to donate a raffle item?  Email Shawn!

 

Have questions about exhibiting or sponsorship?

 

Email Shawn Ultican

sult461@ecy.wa.gov

THE SOCIAL STUFF: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Activities are planned for Monday (Social and Poster session) and Tuesday (game night).  Use the link to the right to check out the locations, local food, and points of interest.

Scheduled Social Events

Monday

5:00pm-7:00pm

Evening Social and Poster Session

Appetizers, drinks, and Live Music

Tuesday

6:00pm - 9:00 pm

We hope to see you at our annual AEC Social Event Tuesday, May 9 at Dystopian State Brewery starting at 6 p.m. Pick up a friendly game of cornhole, darts or choose from many board games. The venue has an expansive view of Commencement Bay so it’s a great place to hang out, network and watch the sunset if you don’t prefer games. Check out their website for photos, and their tap menu. You can find a few take-out food options nearby. We linked their websites for menus and phone and online ordering. Stink has an assortment of sandwiches, salads, and antipasto plates to choose from. Red Star Taco Bar has tacos and other Mexican fare (Taco Tuesday specials are dine-in only), while Puget Sound Pizza serves pizza and other pub fare. See you there!

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Washington State History Museum*

Join us Tuesday, May 9 from 5-7 p.m. at the Washington State history museum. You’ll explore featured exhibits and the Great Hall of Washington History that showcases some of our state's earliest history and artifacts from Native American civilizations and cultures.

* We need 40 participants to book this venue. If you select this option, you will hear details two weeks before the event.  

Social Activity Map

updated frequently

PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS & EDUCATIONAL FIELDTRIPS! (no cost)

Pool Inspector Training (pre-conference)

Monday, May 8, 9:00 am - 12 pm

     The Department of Health Water Recreation Team invites you to join us in an interactive pool inspection training.  Learn about WRF inspection violations, which ones are common and which are most associated with voluntary or ordered closure. Learn how a swimming pool (WRF) is put together and how to understand the system at a glance. Then see an actual pool facility for some hands-on training. Learn how to conduct an inspection, use the DOH enforcement guidance, and identify imminent health hazards. Learn the basics of lifeguarding and how to evaluate a lifeguard operation for compliance. Learn how to evaluate and understand a pool system and help your pool operators do a better job managing their pools for safety and health.

Wright Park Playground (501 South I St, Tacoma)

Monday, May 8; 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

     Start your Annual Educational Conference at beautiful Wright Park in Tacoma to learn more about playground safety. We will be going over inspection basics, pointing out how to identify hazards such as falls, head entrapments, entanglements and more. Park staff will also be giving a brief presentation on playground maintenance. Use this map to navigate your way to the playground in this 27 acre arboretum – be aware that parking is limited in this location. Wear sturdy, nonslip shoes and comfortable clothes as you may be playing on some of the equipment! Bring your own inspection tools if you have them.

School of the Arts (1950 Pacific Ave location)

Monday, May 8; 3:30 – 5:00 PM

     SOTA opened in 2001 in downtown Tacoma to allow easy access to organizations like the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Arts Live. Coursework focuses on visual and performing arts.

     We will visit science rooms, a photography room, a sculpture room and a visual arts room. During the site visit, we will be looking at environmental health and safety items. We will be looking at things like lighting, sound and ventilation. We will be demonstrating testing emergency eyewash stations. We will peek in cabinets and storage areas to point out proper storage, labeling and age appropriateness of chemicals.

     We will leave as a group from the Hotel Murano at 3:15 for the half mile walk to the school.

 

Tour Tacoma's Center for Urban Waters

Tuesday, May 9, 1:30-2:30 or 2:30-3:30

Space limited!!  Sign up at registration desk on Tuesday morning

Award-winning environmental engineering. World-class applied research. Innovative water technologies. Collaborative Puget Sound policy.

Join us at Center for Urban Waters on Tuesday, May 9. You’ll tour the world-class research center and learn about their leading role in:

•       Creative and sustainable solutions to restore and protect Puget Sound.  

•       Conservation work in action at their building—certified as a LEED Platinum® project (the highest rating possible) in 2012. 

•       State-of-the-science analytical laboratories that support scientists who monitor levels of pollutants in water, soils, sediment, flora and fauna, and air throughout the Puget Sound region. 

•       The side-by-side work of undergraduate and graduate students with Urban Waters scientists and analysts, developing necessary skills for successful careers in environmental science and management.  

 

Space is limited to 14 people each tour. Sign up for one of the two available tour times.

Tuesday, May 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m. or

Tuesday, May 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m. 

Environmental Learning Center (5715 Animal Loop Rd)

Wednesday, May 10; 1:00 – 2:30 PM

     End your AEC experience by visiting a school in a zoo! Bring your box lunch to eat on the way or after the visit and spend a few hours exploring Point Defiance Park before you drive back home.

     The ELC was built in 2017 to complement the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) located adjacent to Point Defiance Zoo. Students are able to focus on science and math and choose a pathway of natural sciences or physical sciences.

     We will visit science rooms and a fabricating/prototyping room. During the site visit, we will be looking at environmental health and safety items. We will be looking at things like lighting, sound and ventilation. We will be demonstrating testing emergency eyewash stations. We will peek in cabinets and storage areas to point out proper storage, labeling and age appropriateness of chemicals. We will also hear from students about their work with a water treatment infiltration system at Point Defiance Park, which you can drive by on your way home.

     Park in zoo parking and then walk over to the ELC, located to the left.

Washington Stormwater Center and Washington On-Site Sewage Association (WOSSA) Training Center
Wednesday, May 10, 1–2:30 p.m.

     Wrap up your AEC experience by visiting two innovative education and research facilities! Join us at the Puyallup WSU Research and Extension Center to tour Washington Stormwater Center and WOSSA.
     Tour the country’s largest stormwater research center. Washington Stormwater's mission is to provide stormwater management solutions and leadership through research, training and education.
     The center provides a gateway to research and information about new, innovative and emerging technologies. Join us and learn about the effects of stormwater on the ecosystem and alternates to traditional methods of stormwater management.
     Washington State has approximately 1.5 million onsite wastewater systems in use. Founded in 1990, WOSSA hosts a network of septic industry and experts, and offers education and advocacy. The training center offers online and in-person courses, including on-site designers and inspector’s exam review. You’ll have a chance to explore the onsite training grounds.
     Both are located a short walk from each other at Washington State University, Puyallup Research and Extension Center (2606 W Pioneer, Building 1045 Puyallup, WA 98371) 9.3 miles from Hotel Murano. 
Sign up at the registration desk.

WE NEED YOU!

The AEC is volunteer-run and we still need a little more help!  We promise we won't bite!  Here are the spots we need to fill:

  • Moderators: During sessions at the AEC, this person introduces speakers and helps keep them on track by watching the time.  We will work with you so that you moderate in sessions you're already planning to attend so that you don't miss anything!

  • Audio-Visual Committee: This person would set-up and run the presentations in the ballroom/plenary sessions.

  • International Health Committee (IHC): There are 4 ways to participate!

    1. Bring an item to donate to the silent auction, which will benefit a worthy non-profit doing meaningful international environmental public health work.  If possible, for planning purposes, please email the IHC ahead of time to let them know what you're going to bring.

    2. At the conference- Help set-up the auction on the 1st day and announce winners & collect money the 2nd day.

    3. Before the conference- Help get donations.

    4. Volunteer for the committee.

We're grateful for any and all help!  Email Megan if interested!

THANKS TO THOSE ALREADY VOLUNTEERING!

CHAIRS:
Tom Kunesh, Whatcom County

Katie Lott, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Audio/Visual Committee

Laura Homan, DOH

Lynn Schneider, Public Health- Seattle & King County

Anne Moen, Kitsap Public Health District

Carly Sullivan-Hopkins, DOH

Kyle Lacefield, DOH

Awards Committee

Larry French, DOH- retired

James Rivard, Ecology

Chuck Treser,  Retired- University of Washington (UW)

Emily Hovis, University of Washington

Dayna Katula, Kitsap Public Health District

Jessica Pankey, Clallam County 

Facilities Committee

Jerry Caird, Tacoma-Pierce County Health District

Rob Eastman, Chelan-Douglas Health District

Katie Lott, Tacoma-Pierce County Health District

International Health Committee

Layken Winchester, Kitsap Public Health District

Hayli Hruza, Whatcom County Public Health

Laurette Rasmussen, Whatcom County Public Health

Marketing Committee

Shawn Ultican, Department of Ecology

Dayna Katula, Kitsap Public Health District

Christina Sherman, TPCHD

Moderator Committee

Jeremy Simmons, DOH

Carina Elsenboss, DOH

Rob Eastman, CDHD

​​Publications Committee

Dayna Katula, Kitsap Public Health District

Eric Evans, Kitsap Public Health District

 

Registration Committee

Rob Eastman, Chelan-Douglas Health District

Megan McNelly, WSEHA

Social Committee

Mark Toy, Department of Health

Jodie Holdcroft, Kitsap Public Health District

Rob Eastman, Chelan-Douglas Health District

Anne Dillon, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Christina Sherman, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department 

Speaker Committee

Susan Shelton, DOH

Megan McNelly, WSEHA

Nancy Bernard, DOH

Katie, Lott, TPCHD

Leigh McIntire, TPCHD

 

Student Coordinator Committee

Tania Busch-Isakson, UW

Emily Hovis, UW

WSEHA Representatives

Nancy Bernard, DOH, WSEHA President

Susan Shelton, DOH, WSEHA President-Elect

General 

Melissa Reynolds, DOH

Vikki Barthels, Spokane Health District/WSEHA

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