SFEG says Goodbye to AmeriCorps Volunteers

It has been a great year working with our two AmeriCorps volunteers, Laura Clemmer and Joel Breems, but the time has come for them to move on the bigger and better things. Laura has been a creative and inspiring force as Education and Outreach Assistant, and Joel has initiated and taken the lead on new projects as Habitat Restoration Assistant. We will miss these two, but we foresee great things in their futures. They summed up their experiences this way:

It’s a rare thing to step outside one’s life and reflect upon one’s experiences in any kind of conclusive way, but I suppose that’s what we seek when we come to the “end of things,” as I have now. For the last 10 ½ months, as the Americorps Education and Outreach Assistant for the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, I have met over a thousand people, taught and worked with hundreds, and learned a great deal, especially from those I worked most closely with. Every day was a new experience and a new opportunity. I have a lot of people to thank for that. The purpose of my position was to increase both the number and diversity of community members educated and involved in watershed stewardship in order to promote the mission of SFEG. It was connections to people, more than anything, that this job was about. The state of the world, after all, is in the hands of people. From working with SFEG staff, board members, volunteers, stream stewards, and with people, young and old, in this community, I feel hopeful for the future of salmon, even in the face of all their obstacles. For these people have great passion, great strength, and great influence. As Margaret Mead put it, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Thank you all for your inspiration and for all that you have taught me. I hope to stay in touch. –Laura Clemmer

Laura Clemmer teaches students about the web of life that supports the salmon.

Where does the time go? I can still clearly remember writing an introduction for myself for the fall newsletter last year. Much has happened since then, and I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many of you personally, and for that I am very thankful. This past year has been one of the most monumental in terms of gaining new experiences and knowledge in the recent past. When I began as the restoration assistant in October 2004 my aim was to gain as much experience working in project development and planning as I could. Looking back I feel strongly that with the help of all the SFEG staff and volunteers I have been able to far exceed my expectations for gaining new experiences from planting to grant writing. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and work with many of you. I feel much more prepared as I venture to continue my education with a graduate degree, and look forward to coming back to the Skagit in the future to live and work. - Joel Breems

Joel Breems instructs youngsters on how to plant a tree at the East Fork Nookachamps site.