By Susan Peterson, Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Complex

The Kids in the Creek program celebrated its 20th year at the Entiat National Fish Hatchery. For those not familiar with this award winning program, Kids in the Creek began in 1992 when specialists from several resource agencies, Future Farmers of America and science teachers from local high schools adopted the hands-on field experience idea to connect students with aquatic and riparian ecosystems for an understanding of watersheds and the critical role of human land management activities.

Students from the Discovery School, located on the grounds of Leavenworth NFH, investigate water quality impacts from human and natural events. - Photo Credit: USFWS

Today, the KITC program holds three field days at the Entiat National Fish Hatchery and consists of six educational stations and a culminating activity where students employ all the concepts and knowledge to develop a land use scenario utilizing best management practices and mitigate potential negative impacts on natural resources with the local ecosystem. Over three hundred students from six area schools and almost 40 resource specialists were engaged in this dynamic activity.

Tim McCracken (USFWS) biologist teaches high school students how to estimate cover by species composition vegetation on plots along a transect. - Photo Credit: USFWS

The Kids in the Creek program is hosted by Cascadia Conservation District, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. The program has been expanded and adapted to different age levels including 4th graders and is a favorite at the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival.

Check out the Kids in the Creek Website for more information
www.kidsinthecreek.com

By: Emily Teachout

Original source: http://wordfromwild.blogspot.com/2013/05/moms-and-daughters-hit-beach-for-birds.html

My daughter, Maggie (age 12), and I participate in a mother/daughter group that wanted to do a community service project. After seeing a series of YouTube videos on marine debris ingestion by albatrosses on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the girls were really moved and wanted to find a way that they could help locally. To help address the problem at the source, they wanted to get debris off the beach and out of the ocean ecosystem where it poses a direct threat to seabirds and other animals. “I was motivated by the pictures and stories about the dead albatrosses who eat plastic and die,” said Brynn Dumbeck, a girl in our group.

So on a sunny Saturday, we carpooled out to Ocean Shores to take part in the annual beach cleanup efforts coordinated by Washington CoastSavers. We hit the beach with our handy-dandy picking tools and a stock-pile of collection bags that they provided. Brynn Dumbeck liked the aspect of working as a part of a coast-wide effort. “It was cool that a lot of people all over were doing the beach cleanup,” she said. 

A bundle of balloon found by Maggie Neatherlin

Sophie Danner, Maggie Neatherlin, Luna Lowsky and Brynn Dumbeck with a few of the many bags of trash they collected.

The experience was very rewarding! Parent Anthea Lawrence extracted a plastic bottle cap from the sand and noted, “Here’s one less piece of plastic for an albatross to eat.” In fact, the girls have expressed interest in doing this again. Sophie Danner, reflected that participating felt like the right thing to do, “…making a difference instead of spending your Saturday in bed or in front of the computer or something.” As a wildlife biologist and a mom, I was proud that our group of girls came up with this way to tangibly act as stewards. The fact that we all got spend a day together, in an amazing place, was a bonus. 

Upon return, we received an email from CoastSavers noting that the combined effort of the volunteers up and down the coast on that one day removed 15 tons of trash from the ocean ecosystem! Upon reflecting on the experience with the girls, they all said they wanted to do it again, and they hope that more people join in. Maggie notes that marine debris is everywhere, and always will be, “…unless we choose to do something about it. It’s not just going to fix itself, we have to fix it. We have to clean up our own mess. You could live on the other side of the world and you can do something. Wherever you are, you can help.”

To take part in the next beach cleanup visit Washington CoastSavers: http://www.coastsavers.org/

To learn more about marine debris ingestion by albatrosses see the video series by Chris Jordan:http://www.midwayjourney.com/film-trailer/

Or: http://www.fws.gov/midway/

By Joan Jewett, Public Affairs Officer, USFWS Pacific Reigon

Recently, I was one of the lucky people who got to go the top of Rattlesnake Mountain on the Hanford National Monument to look at wildflowers and the view. It was the first time in six years the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took members of the public to this special place and I got to tag along. 

Frances Watson, reporter for KEPR-TV in Pasco, WA, was eager to share the beauty of the wildflowers with her viewers. All photos by Joan Jewett/USFWS

Frances Watson, a local KEPR-TV reporter on the trip, said getting to go on the tour was like finding a golden ticket in a Wonka bar — and I agree! All 80 tickets for the four wildflower tours were spoken for in less than a minute after they were offered online.

Cushion daisies are plentiful on the mountain. 

Rattlesnake Mountain is usually closed to the public because it so ecologically and culturally sensitive. About 60 species of plants are found on the arid, treeless peak that rises 3,600 feet above the surrounding flatlands. To the west, the snow-covered peaks of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier dot the horizon; to the east, Hanford Reach, the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River, flows at the base of steep white cliffs. Local Native American tribes took refuge atop Rattlesnake Mountain 13,000 years ago during the great Missoula floods and have used it ever since, leaving a landscape filled with sacred sites and artifacts. The public tours did not visit those areas.

A rock cairn is a symbol of the spiritual significance of Rattlesnake Mountain to local Native American Tribes. 

Called Laliik in the Yakama language, the mountain is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Thanks to its dramatic position on the landscape, Laliik, and especially its summit, served and continues to serve as an important place for vision and spirit quests, resource gatherings and other cultural activities by regional American Indians. Robyn Thorson, the director of the Service’s Pacific Region, which includes Rattlesnake Mountain, was recently honored to participate in a traditional ceremony on the mountain with members of the Umatilla Tribe.Steve Airhart of Kennewick, WA, was wowed by the view from the mountain top. 

People on the public wildflower tours were thrilled to visit the top of the mountain they usually only see in the distance. Mike Clouse of Kennewick, Washington, has worked construction sites on the surrounding Hanford Nuclear Reservation since the 1970s. “I always looked up here and thought I’ve got to get up there someday,” he said. Once on top, he was not disappointed. “It’s beautiful,” he said, as his gaze moved from the tiniest of plants to the expansive view. “Your eyes can stretch and you can see forever.”

Donna Hostick of Kennewick, WA, tells KEPR-TV reporter Frances Watson she feels lucky to see the plants and view at the top of Rattlesnake Mountain.

Donna Hostick, also of Kennewick, said she was “astounded” by the flowers and the view. But she figures this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The opportunity to visit the mountain top is so rare she wants others to have the experience, too.

“It’s important to let people experience this,” she said. “They will be more interested in conserving it.”

Ann Gannam, Regional Nutritionist, USFWS Abernathy Fish Technology Center, Longview, WA

Growing up with many outdoor opportunities drove my curiosity to find out more about my surroundings.  Weekend and summer camping trips; Sunday picnics, usually to a beach; even early morning trips to the river for breakfast picnics before school, all of these experiences fueled my desire to continue to acquire information and knowledge about the environment in which we live and about the organisms that share it with us.  My parents encouraged me and provided opportunities for me to learn.  I collected sea shells and they took me to the library to get books on shells to identify them.  I got to go to summer classes at the Science Museum in my home town where I participated in numerous activities involving learning the biology of local mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.  Two of our projects which stand out for me were making an insect collection and caring for guppies.  During my undergraduate college years I returned to the museum to work in the summer and helped put together some new exhibits for the kids’ section of the museum.

My eagerness to learn has never waned.  My biology related classes at the university were amazing.  The field trips provided great hands on experience.  I found myself in marsh mud half way up my legs taking samples, walking through the woods with eyes glued to the forest floor looking for snakes or surveying a stream then seining it to collect fish.  In all cases we were looking for the denizens of each ecosystem and learning more about which habitat and food items they preferred.  As my studies evolved I began to concentrate on the food item aspect and nutrient requirements of organisms, particularly fish became my focus.  I got my B.S. in zoology and in relatively quick succession my M.S. in biology/marine biology and my Ph.D. in fish nutrition.

I loved working out of doors and in the laboratory.  Then I found I could make a living at this sort of work. That was just an added benefit.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) offered me an excellent opportunity to pursue my field of interest.  After 21 years with the Service I still find my job as a fish nutritionist interesting and challenging.

At times I think of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken”, especially the last paragraph when I think about the turns my life has taken:

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

From biology to law enforcement, the Service has a wide variety of exciting and unique careers in conservation. We are highlighting the true stories of different people in each the Pacific Region and the work they are doing to ensure the future of fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats. To learn more about career opportunities in the Service, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/humancapital/jobs.html

Spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, bringing warmer temperatures, spring blossoms on the trees and the re-appearance of wildlife in urban areas.  The orchard and garden plot of Pacific Middle School has seen this change - witnessed by the 6th, 7th and 8th grader attending classes during the day.  Oh, but when the school day ends – that’s when the fun begins.  Students stay after school and participate in the school’s Garden Program, calling themselves “The Veggie Maniacs”.  Brainchild of Science teacher, Tyler Carlson, the program began in 2012 with a 40 x 40 foot plot of land amidst the 2 dozen neglected fruit trees and unused school property.

With the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), through the Columbia River Fisheries Program Office in Vancouver, Washington, the project is now in its second year and has expanded to include community partners, the school district, local business and family members.  This project was awarded one of the Service’s ‘Connecting People with Nature’ grants that purchased all the tools, gloves and garden implements.  Support from the National Schoolyard Habitat Program pushed it even further and they’ve succeeded in restoring a garden, teaching about agriculture and sustainability while getting children outside to learn about soil, plants, pollinators, and ecosystems. 

With encouragement from the Evergreen School District in Clark County, Washington, Mr. Carlson led this program through its initial stages, organizes work parties and project activities.  With his passion for nature and this project, the orchard and garden will thrive and the school’s Garden Club will continue for many years to come.  The children are engaged, enthused and educated (but don’t tell them that – they think it’s just fun).  The success of this project can be seen with the number of students attending this afterschool club – The Veggie Maniacs continue to grow. 

Of the many individual projects this massive effort has undertaken, the students are involved every step of the way.  From assisting with the bed building, planting and pruning, power-washing, compost building, or rain-barrel assembly, the students have taken ownership of this garden and love the idea of passing this legacy to their underclassmen.  They also enjoy assisting Mr. Carlson with the indoor activities carried out through the fall and winter, including making planters from recycled materials, building birdhouses and designing a pollinator habitat.  Mr. Carlson will also show PowerPoint presentations and slide shows on soil and plantings to further enhance their learning experience. 

Fish and Wildlife Service staffs participate in the garden club activities too.  Through the Pacific Region’s “I gave 8 program” employees can assist with many of these activities, indoors and out.   “I really enjoy getting out of the office and connecting with students in the community.” says Donna Allard of the Vancouver Fisheries Office, “Can I help it, if I want to steer those young minds toward careers in natural resources?” 

The project’s success also depends on the participation of community members, local businesses and parents.  One student and avid gardener, Alyssa, enlisted the aid of her Dad, whose support came through his employer.  Lowes - Home Improvement donated hundreds of dollars’ worth of vegetable starter kits to kick off the spring planting.  These partnerships are successful because they allow the children to learn and then share their knowledge. 

Contributions from other partners have helped to define this garden.  The Veggie Maniacs have been diligently working to spread the 11 yards worth of wood chips donated by Clark Public Utilities District.  Redistributing the pile of chips around the base of the fruit trees and defining the paths and walkways is hard physical labor but the children don’t seem to mind.  In fact, they are getting a science lesson as well.  Mr. Carlson explains about the methane gas escaping from the wood pile. One child put her hand inside the mound and exclaimed  “Hey, feel this!  It’s warm”.

The Service’s Schoolyard Habitat Programs will continue to help reconnect today’s children to the outdoors.  We applaud the efforts of teachers like Mr. Carlson who share their love for nature and the passion for developing outdoor classrooms where educators and students learn how to attract and support local wildlife as well as hone academic skills and nurture an innate curiosity and creativity.

Jennifer Rowlen, Park Ranger for the Columbia River Gorge National Fish Hatchery Complex

As Park Ranger, Jennifer Rowlen spend the majority of her time introducing school aged kids to the unique life cycle of the Pacific Salmon. The Salmon in the Classroom program both brings the kids to the fish (hatchery tours) and the fish to the kids (tanks in the classroom). Once a Salmon in the Classroom tank is placed in a school, kids revel in watching the same eggs they saw at the hatchery, hatch, grow and develop. During this time, Jennifer presents lessons highlighting the importance of healthy watersheds, animal adaptations, and guides the student scientists through a real salmon dissection.

Jennifer guides student scientists from Portland’s Boise-Eliot Humboldt Elementary School during a salmon dissection

Sharing her joy and enthusiasm for the natural world with kids is Jennifer’s favorite part of her job and she says the reward is in “seeing the eyes of a child light up as they see, touch, and smell the outdoors.”  Jennifer considers this engagement her greatest achievement and the highest compliment for her work comes in hearing “fish are cool!” from future biologists. 

From biology to law enforcement, the Service has a wide variety of exciting and unique careers in conservation. We are highlighting the true stories of different people in each the Pacific Region and the work they are doing to ensure the future of fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats. To learn more about career opportunities in the Service, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/humancapital/jobs.html

The latest blog from the Washington Field Office Word From the Wild:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Washington Field Office, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and numerous other cooperating agencies, recently captured 32 pygmy rabbits from populations in Oregon and Wyoming to support ongoing reintroduction efforts in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. 

WDFW Biologist Penny Becker with rabbit traps in sagebrush country, Oregon

View of Wyoming vet clinic

The newly added animals and most of the kits born throughout the 2013 breeding season will then be released to the wild over this coming spring and summer to bolster a number of surviving wild animals that have been released at the site since mid-2011. There are encouraging signs that a new, albeit small, population is becoming established in central Washington, including signs of reproduction in the wild that was documented during surveys this past winter.

Pygmy rabbit Stunnel poses for the camera during his journey to central Washington.

Pygmy Rabbit is a clever chap,

who burrows out a home,

dives down the front then zips out the back,

before Coyote knows he’s gone! 

She buries her kits in a secret place,

only one that she will know.

Beneath the Earth she’ll keep them safe,

until their time to go. 

Hawk and Weasel, and many others yet,

will all attempt to dine,

on this little rabbit of the Sagebrush Steppe,

who’s so difficult to find!

By Megan T. Cook, USFWS

Like many of us in the field, my journey to becoming a wildlife biologist and scientist began as a kid and developed with the help of fantastic teachers and mentors throughout my life.

I grew up in urbanized Stockton, California, but my family spent every summer camping at the beach and in the mountains. When I was younger, I used to let slugs from our backyard crawl all over my hands. I also remember literally embracing a boa constrictor at a local zoo.

 Even as a kid I went for the slimy and scaly!

 My mom was a science resource teacher, so curiosity about the natural world was always present and seemed completely normal to me. My high school biology teacher also took us on great field trips to the redwoods and tidepools

 But my career in wildlife conservation actually started with math.

 Megan gets up close and personal with a green sea turtle near the San Diego Bay. (Photo: Megan Cook/USFWS)

In 11th grade, I was one of the winners of a math competition sponsored by a national lab. I thought I might win a graphing calculator, but instead was offered a paid summer internship! This temporary job led to a more permanent position, and I subsequently spent my college summers banding songbirds, surveying amphibians, and teaching environmental education and outreach.

After that, I was hooked. Working outside with cool critters? Sign me up for life!

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