Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: World Salmon Council

Patch talks to World Salmon Council about the work it's doing to preserve and protect the Wild Salmon Community in Oregon.

Patch: Tell Patch a little bit about your organization!

World Salmon Council: Using salmon as a key indicator species of watershed health and the cultural icon of the Pacific Northwest, Salmon Watch incorporates diverse perspectives and innovative learning activities designed to enhance the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills of students and other participants. If we want our youth have scientific and environmental literacy, value their natural heritage, and make informed decisions about their communities as they become adults, we must give them opportunities to understand and relate to the natural world on a personal level.

Salmon Watch field trips also address the nature deficit that many of our youth experience and instill a deeper appreciation of the value of wild native fish, watershed conservation and environmental stewardship. Many of our urban and suburban youth have never been to a wilderness area, never seen a spawning salmon, never gathered aquatic insects from a riffle to gauge the health of a stream. Bringing classroom instruction into the field, and then taking field learning back into the classroom enhances the learning experience for these students. Upwards of 125 Volunteer Educators receive special instruction and training on specific field stations.

In addition to providing expertise on salmon biology and life-cycle, watershed health and riparian management, these volunteers share an array of career opportunities and how to pursue these fields in higher education and beyond. Service learning projects that engage students in their community by addressing critical issues and raising community awareness about healthy watersheds occur in the spring. These projects are designed to engage and channel student enthusiasm, creativity and initiative to benefit their neighborhoods and local watersheds.

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Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

World Salmon Council: In an era of escalating education funding cutbacks, as part of the learning process schoolchildren have fewer opportunities to connect classroom studies with real-world experiences. There is a lack of making environmental, experiential learning a basic and important part of the curricula of our schools, and for providing students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom.

And yet, most EE activities, lesson plans and curriculum not only correlate to current Core and Next Generation Science Standards, but the overall experience can create even more “meaning and understanding” in the learning process. It is imperative for better and ongoing communication with teachers, school administrators, funders and the public of the benefits of integrating environmental education throughout all grade levels and disciplines, and for increasing support for these efforts (both for teachers who want to use these methods, and especially financial resources for nonprofit organizations).

Responsible citizenship requires an understanding of our environment, and how we interact with our surroundings, in order to make informed decisions that will benefit people, fish and wildlife – now and for future generations. Improving students’ understanding of the environment and its importance in their lives can be done by truly integrating the concepts and practices of environmental education into our educational system.

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Patch: What do you hope for the future of your nonprofit?

World Salmon Council: From experiencing firsthand in a meaningful way the wonders of the natural world, kids are empowered to be responsible stewards in their own communities. Through interactions with a wide-range of adult role models, students will learn about diverse career opportunities and pursue these fields in higher education and beyond.

By continuing to connect with peer education and environment organizations, and public agencies, together we explore ways to better share ideas and resources, collaborate on projects, and establish partnerships to complement respective programs. Expanding educational outcomes, finding more K-12 pathway integration, and engaging not just more students, but focusing on increasing the diversity of students served. Salmon Watch grows to become integrated into schools throughout the Pacific Northwest, and possibly across the entirely of salmon habitat in the Pacific Rim.

Image via World Salmon Council

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