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To impart something gradually, to inspire, to impress ideas, principles, or teachings gradually on someone’s mind – that is the definition of the transitive verb instill. So it is that the legions of young people will learn to care for the environment – from us.
This month was a good start for some...
The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) awarded five $2000 college scholarships to “Class of 2006” high school graduates on May 6 during an afternoon barbecue and volunteer appreciation celebration.
Congressman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) gave an inspirational speech to the students, their families, and HCSEG members before presenting scholarship awardees with a certificate and congratulatory handshake.
“This scholarship would not have been possible without the support and leadership that Norm has provided… and the state’s fisheries enhancement groups would simply not have been able to do the great things that have been accomplished without him,” said HCSEG Executive Director Neil Werner.
Rep. Dicks is the ranking Democratic member of the Interior subcommittee, which is responsible for appropriating funding for the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other Interior Department agencies, as well as the Forest Service and the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Interior appropriations subcommittee approved $6 million May 4 that boosts funding to coordinate Puget Sound cleanup efforts, ramping up the federal participation in the research and remediation program modeled after similar efforts on the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes, Rep. Dicks said. The House of Representatives approved the Interior appropriations bill on May 19.
Several northwest fisheries enhancement programs were funded in the recent bill, including continued funding for “Long Live the Kings” salmon recovery effort on Hood Canal ($200,000), Salmon Habitat Restoration activities conducted by the HCSEG ($200,000). Washington State Salmon recovery grants to local organizations ($1.5 million), Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups – for recovery and habitat work along fish runs on private lands ($1.4 million) and Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen research program, within U.S. Geological Survey ($100,000).
The scholarship is available to students who are continuing higher education the next school year with a planned major in Fisheries, Hydrology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Environmental Sciences or Natural Resources and who have graduated from schools serving students within the Hood Canal Watershed including: Central Kitsap, Chimacum, Klahowya, North Mason, North Kitsap, Quilcene or Shelton High Schools.
The recipients included Nicholas Barrantes, who will attend Montana Tech with a major in Environmental Engineering; Spencer Cooper will attend University of Washington majoring in Aquatic & Fisheries; Nick Holm will attend Olympic College for Marine Biology, Peter Kauhanen will attend Stanford majoring in Marine Biology, and Ryan Mortensen will attend University of Washington majoring in Aquatic & Fish Science.
This program also consists of a 400 hour paid summer internship and the college scholarship is awarded after completion of the internship. Internships were also granted to three high school students; Adriana Lippy, Mary Angel Lytle, and Leah White. Each successful applicant is eligible for up to four years in this program.
The Spring Environmental Stewardship Symposium, a program of Stillwaters Environmental Center, was held on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Olympic College, Poulsbo. A gathering of environmental experts from around the region, the event was a hearing of significant environmental stewardship triumphs attended by approximately 100 persons. Through a series of interactive presentations, the symposium highlighted a variety of significant environmental achievements and challenges in the Puget Sound Region.
Speakers and presenters included: Representative Sherry Appleton, Jay Inslee’s Apollo Energy Act, Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen, Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman, Ryan Dicks for the Cascade Land Conservancy, Vic Ulsh for the Ilahee Preserve, Ann Haines from the Great Peninsula Conservancy.
Also speaking were William Meyer for the Department of Fish & Wildlife, Kathy Fletcher of People for Puget Sound, Ben Klasky from Islandwood, John Cambalik from the Puget Sound Action Team, Walter Briggs for U. S. Navy, Luis & Kathleen Barrantes from the Liberty Bay Foundation, Sara Simrell for Eko-System, Art Castle for the Kitsap Home Builders Foundation, and many more environmental leaders from the Puget Sound Basin. The event was co-sponsored by Paladin Data Systems, Olympic College and Dr. Roger Meyer.
On Wednesday May 17th, the HCSEG hosted the annual Environmental Explorations event at the Belfair State Park from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. where 40+ presentations from state, regional and local groups/agencies were presented to approximately 900 students from throughout the Hood Canal Watershed and Kitsap County.
“Environmental Explorations (EE) teaches about those things we cherish and yet take for granted. EE teaches students about their watershed and how/why to protect it, shares information that students are typically not exposed to in the school system, and therefore don’t know any better,” explained Chris Daniels, HCSEG Education & Volunteer Outreach Director. “EE teaches about the interconnectedness of all living and non-living things in Wild Salmon ecosystems and how to be good land and shore stewards. EE teaches them about how they can personally make a difference.”
The HCSEG will be offering an Adventure Day Camp for 4th - 5th grade campers July 11th-14th and an Adventure Overnight Camp for 6th -9th grade campers August 15-18th. Campers will have the opportunity to visit locations within the Hood Canal watershed while learning about Wild Salmon related issues from historical perspectives, current trends, and salmon physiology through exploration activities, games, art and journaling. This will be achieved through exposure to agency professionals, local tribal members, community resources, fieldwork, history, art, and activities that are geared towards learning and understanding. Space is limited and registration required. For more information visit the HCSEG website at www.hcseg.org or call 360-275-3575 for registration details. |
