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Auburn-Algona-Pacific
The city of Auburn, south of Seattle, is snuggled in a river valley. The city is home to more than 70,000 residents. Together with its neighbors Algona and Pacific, these communities are the heart of the Green River Valley.
The region is crisscrossed by major transportation routes and train lines. In the winter months, the Auburn Valley is impacted by wood smoke from residential wood combustion. All of these elements contribute to air pollution and certain locations and communities in the area are disproportionally impacted by this issue.
Community Engagement
We have been working with the community to understand their needs, concerns, and interests. Although this is an ongoing process, we have been able to identify and collaborate on a number of projects that respond to issues of air quality.
- We actively participate in meetings and events related to the Auburn Blue Ribbon Committee - Healthiest City 2020, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, health fairs, and community engagement opportunities.
- We have partnered with Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Clean Air for Kids - Asthma Outreach Health Education program to support awareness of how asthma is impacted by outdoor air pollution and providing tools to address the issue. See "A Hopeful Future" blog to learn more.
- We supported Habitat for Humanity – Homes for Veterans by funding ductless heat pumps for a number of homes which reduce air pollution. You can read more and watch a video on "A Community for Veterans" blog.
- We worked with community-led organizations to distribute DIY air filters and provide resources for residents to be prepared for summer wildfire smoke events. Learn more about DIY air filters.
Community Blog
Community Helping with Wildfire Smoke
September 30, 2020
While much of the west coast was burning and surrounding areas were literally choked with wildfire smoke this summer, communities in the Puget Sound region were preparing to offer aid to their residents. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's (the Agency) community engagement teams worked with community partners in our four focus communities (Chinatown-International District in Seattle, the Duwamish Valley in Seattle, Lakewood in Tacoma, and Auburn-Algona-Pacific) to provide filter-fans to residents.
Air Quality Curriculum in Third Grade
March 5, 2019
Our partnership with Washington Green Schools began with the work with our monitoring site at Pioneer Elementary in Auburn. The Auburn-Algona-Pacific engagement team started thinking about how to further community work with the monitoring site. They thought about creating a science-based curriculum with elementary teachers about clean air, sustainability, and health impacts of pollution.
A Community for Veterans
November 9, 2018
Hear a story how Habitat for Humanity is building a community for Veterans.The community, known as Megan’s Meadows, helps Habitat homeowners establish security and self-sufficiency so they can build a better life for themselves and their families. Habitat’s vision for veterans is to help them thrive by providing housing, employment, and financial education.
Health Equity
June 28, 2018
Did you know that when compared to the national average, Washington State has the third largest number of residents that were born in the Marshall Islands, with the city of Auburn where most reside?
Earth Day and Equity
May 1, 2018
Earth Day has been an international event and movement since 1970 and one of the most widely observed secular holidays. At the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (the Agency), we try to live with the sentiment that Earth Day is everyday, so everyone, everywhere can breathe clean and healthy air.