SFEG Welcomes New AmeriCorps Volunteers

SFEG would like to extend a warm welcome to its two new Americorps volunteers, Liz Leavens and Danny Cain.  Liz has been hired through the Washington Service Corps as our Outreach Assistant, and she will help with volunteer events and education programs.  Danny is our Habitat Restoration Assistant through Washington Conservation Corps, and he will spend his time on stream monitoring and project implementation.  We are so proud to have them signed on for a year with us, and we would like to introduce you to them:

“Some people do not search, for they find their niche early in life and rest there seemingly contented and resigned. At times, I envy them, but usually do not understand them…and seldom do they understand me. I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we completely content. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach; we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power and unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests, mountains, deserts, hidden rivers, and lovely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as our laughter; to share our sadness with the ones we love is perhaps as great a joy as we know, unless it is to share our laughter. We searchers are ambitious only for life itself and for anything beautiful it can provide…” –James Kavanaugh

Hi there! My name is Liz Leavens and I am the new Environmental Education and Outreach Assistant for the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. To continue my “search” for new and exciting opportunities, I traveled to this beautiful corner of the country from my home state of Michigan. I am very fortunate to be living in the Pacific Northwest and working for a progressive organization that is really moving forward with salmon habitat restoration.

Liz Leavens helps skim Trumpeter Pond in an effort to improve rearing habitat for juvenile coho salmon.

I came to Washington with an undergraduate degree in biology and environmental science from Olivet College, which is a tiny liberal arts college in Olivet, Michigan. After school, I spent a year working at a YMCA camp teaching outdoor environmental education to 3rd-8th graders. Following that I worked for a partnership office of the Nature Conservancy of Michigan and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy restoring sand dunes along Lake Michigan. Now I am here!

I’m living on Camano Island with a great view of the Cascades and exploring the amazing sites this area has to offer. I have been learning so much and I’m very appreciative of how welcoming everyone has been in my first month. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to the upcoming year!

Hi, my name is Danny Cain and I love to work outside.  I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to work as SFEG’s Habitat Restoration Assistant.  I was born and raised in the Skagit Valley and recently graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental science.  Last winter, I volunteered over 300 hours with SFEG conducting spawner surveys on 15 different streams.  Habitat Restoration and environmental monitoring are career interests of mine, but instead of boring you with more details of my resume, I would like to share with you one of my favorite places.  There is a large rock on Jones Creek that is located less than a half mile above the Jones Creek Farms (it seems much farther when the current is strong).  This rock marks the end of the section of Jones Creek that SFEG surveys.  It is positioned in a deep mossy canyon just below a very small, but noisy falls.  Sitting on this rock even for a brief period can make time stand still and all your troubles disappear; it’s a good place to clear your head.  Thanks to Kevik, Lucky, and Bear for introducing me to this place.  I look forward to discovering many new places, learning more about salmon enhancement, and meeting all of you.  Thank you.

Danny Cain helps volunteer Jenny Moser plant a tree at the Oct 29 planting at Iron Mountain Ranch.