As this quarter of being an Education Intern at Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group comes to an end, I have a lot to reflect back on. I began this position in September and have had such a great time. I am very passionate about protecting the environment and feel fulfilled through teaching others about it.
Duri
ng this internship, I have taught hundreds of students about salmon and why it is so important to protect their habitat. I learned a lot about salmon through SFEG that I didn’t know before and I was able to spread that knowledge. Going to classrooms to teach about salmon was really fun and rewarding especially when the kids were interested in the subject and eager to learn. One of the topics that I taught was the salmon life cycle, which is crucial when learning about salmon livelihood and stream conservation. Also, I led bracelet-making activities to act as a symbol for the different salmon life cycle stages so students could recall the information taught to them while also creating a craft to show their parents. Most students, if not all, had a connection to salmon, whether it be fishing, eating, or just observing them in the streams nearby.
The students, additionally, made other connections to salmon as many of their favorite animals depended on salmon, such as killer whales and bears. All of these personal connections made
learning about the Pacific species of salmon exciting for them. It was important to create an environment where the children understand that they have a role in salmon restoration and in the
environment. It’s rewarding knowing that the lessons we teach will stay with them and encourage them to protect the environment, particularly because I have talked to some of my college classmates and they remember learning about salmon through programs like the one at Skagit Fisheries.
I have also assisted during field trips to either plant trees or teach about salmon habitat. The tree planting field trips are exhilarating because we all get our hands dirty. The students
were really excited to be doing their part and they all enjoy counting how many trees they had planted by the end of the field trip. The salmon habitat field trips are also exciting because we
get to visit a stream where coho fry live. With the students, we determined whether or not it is a good place for salmon to be released based on the chemistry of the water as well as observations
they make about the habitat surrounding the stream. Tying the classroom lesson into the field trips is extremely satisfying because it reinforced the material in a different way and allowed the
children to physically see what our lessons stressed
I have enjoyed being a part of this education program. I think it is powerful to spread knowledge to younger generations because they are our future and are capable of doing a lot of good. Due to the fact that I moved here from out of state a few years ago, I didn’t know much about salmon before my work here at SFEG. Since starting this internship, I’ve learned more than I could’ve imagined about salmon which is something I’m really grateful for. As I approach graduation, I am thankful for this experience as it gave me insight into a possible job opportunity
and allowed me to explore things that I could do with my intended degree. Salmon are so, so important to our ecosystem and this internship allowed me to take part in protecting them.
Annual Meeting 2023
Upcoming EventsWe’re back, in-person!
Help us celebrate the restoration work of 2022 at our Annual Meeting and Salmon BBQ Thursday February 9, 6-8pm at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center
We’ll enjoy a salmon dinner, partner and volunteer recognition, and board elections. Browse our silent auction for some great items and opportunities! Your dinner donation includes grilled salmon dinner with sides from Max Dales, 1 drink ticket including beer from North Sound Brewing, and desert from Bread Farm.
RSVP HERE
Reflecting on Education by Victoria Hartman
Blog, Featured, From the FieldStarting in September of this year, I’ve had the honor to work under Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group as an Educational Intern. Through this internship I’ve been able to use my BS in Biology to help teach the youth of Skagit county the importance of salmon ecology. From teaching them the information in the classroom, to applying it in real life on field trips, it has been an incredibly enjoyable experience.
I’ve been able to use my position to influence the youth into seeing the importance of their actions in relation to the environment. We were able to not only teach them but show them how certain actions they take can negatively or positively affect their surroundings. Positives being shown through our tree planting field trips and how maintaining a riparian forest helps the surrounding river and creatures that reside in it. Negatives they were shown were the failure of people cleaning up their left over trash in parks or the effect of what goes into their storm drain has on the surrounding body of water.
An Education Intern’s Reflection by Kaitlyn Mruk
Blog, Featured, From the FieldAs this quarter of being an Education Intern at Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group comes to an end, I have a lot to reflect back on. I began this position in September and have had such a great time. I am very passionate about protecting the environment and feel fulfilled through teaching others about it.
Duri
ng this internship, I have taught hundreds of students about salmon and why it is so important to protect their habitat. I learned a lot about salmon through SFEG that I didn’t know before and I was able to spread that knowledge. Going to classrooms to teach about salmon was really fun and rewarding especially when the kids were interested in the subject and eager to learn. One of the topics that I taught was the salmon life cycle, which is crucial when learning about salmon livelihood and stream conservation. Also, I led bracelet-making activities to act as a symbol for the different salmon life cycle stages so students could recall the information taught to them while also creating a craft to show their parents. Most students, if not all, had a connection to salmon, whether it be fishing, eating, or just observing them in the streams nearby.
The students, additionally, made other connections to salmon as many of their favorite animals depended on salmon, such as killer whales and bears. All of these personal connections made
learning about the Pacific species of salmon exciting for them. It was important to create an environment where the children understand that they have a role in salmon restoration and in the
environment. It’s rewarding knowing that the lessons we teach will stay with them and encourage them to protect the environment, particularly because I have talked to some of my college classmates and they remember learning about salmon through programs like the one at Skagit Fisheries.
I have also assisted during field trips to either plant trees or teach about salmon habitat. The tree planting field trips are exhilarating because we all get our hands dirty. The students
were really excited to be doing their part and they all enjoy counting how many trees they had planted by the end of the field trip. The salmon habitat field trips are also exciting because we
get to visit a stream where coho fry live. With the students, we determined whether or not it is a good place for salmon to be released based on the chemistry of the water as well as observations
they make about the habitat surrounding the stream. Tying the classroom lesson into the field trips is extremely satisfying because it reinforced the material in a different way and allowed the
children to physically see what our lessons stressed
I have enjoyed being a part of this education program. I think it is powerful to spread knowledge to younger generations because they are our future and are capable of doing a lot of good. Due to the fact that I moved here from out of state a few years ago, I didn’t know much about salmon before my work here at SFEG. Since starting this internship, I’ve learned more than I could’ve imagined about salmon which is something I’m really grateful for. As I approach graduation, I am thankful for this experience as it gave me insight into a possible job opportunity
and allowed me to explore things that I could do with my intended degree. Salmon are so, so important to our ecosystem and this internship allowed me to take part in protecting them.