Federal Way, WA — The Shyan Selah Foundation is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the Port of Seattle’s South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) award in April 2024, part of the fund’s Environmental Improvements grant cycle. Since its inception in 2019, SKCCIF has invested over $9 million in more than 80 community-led initiatives supporting environmental improvements and equitable access to Port‑related opportunities.
The awarded grant will specifically support the Foundation’s Connect to Nature program, which guides youth in South King County, particularly young people of color, through environmental education, mentorship, and career‑readiness activities in the outdoors.
A portion of these funds is directed toward a new campus beautification project in partnership with Federal Way Public Academy. This project will engage students in designing, planting, and maintaining natural landscaping, food/herb gardens, and outdoor gathering spaces—teaching practical skills in landscaping and horticulture, while fostering environmental stewardship, pride in their school environment, and job‑readiness in green industries .
Shyan Selah, Founder & CEO of the Foundation, shared:
“The Shyan Selah Foundation is thrilled to announce the enhancement of our Connect to Nature Program through the generous support of the Environmental Grant from the Port of Seattle. With these funds, we are empowered to collaborate with our esteemed partner, Federal Way Public Academy, over the span of three years. Together, we will embark on a journey to revitalize school grounds, engaging students in immersive activities that foster environmental education, while imparting invaluable hands-on experience in landscaping and gardening. Beyond the educational realm, our efforts will contribute to the beautification of public school spaces, enriching the local community’s connection to their surroundings for years to come.”
Project highlights include:
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Design and installation of native plant gardens and outdoor classrooms across the campus
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Student-led horticultural workshops and maintenance routines
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Outdoor community events involving families, volunteers, and local environmental mentors
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Field‑trips and experiential learning aligned with Connect to Nature’s mission
The campus beautification initiative aligns with Port’s emphasis on “environmental improvements of public spaces” and supports SKCCIF’s broader goals of equity and access to green jobs in near‑airport communities.
Looking ahead, the Foundation will document student engagement, horticulture skills gained, and career interests sparked through this hands-on stewardship. These outcomes will feed into future rounds of support via SKCCIF as the program evolves into multi-year impact cycles.
About the Shyan Selah Foundation & Connect to Nature
The Shyan Selah Foundation empowers youth in South King County through arts, mentorship, and environmental programming. Connect to Nature offers free after-school and weekend workshops—in collaboration with Washington State DNR—focused on gardening, nature outings, and career pathways in outdoor industries.
About Port of Seattle’s South King County Community Impact Fund
Created in 2019, SKCCIF supports underrepresented and near‑airport communities through Environmental Improvements and Economic Opportunities grants. The Port has committed over $14 million for 2024–25, extending its reach based on the Equity Index, and over 50 community organizations have benefited to date.
