Whidbey Watershed Stewards

Education: working closely with the south Whidbey school district, various natural science educational programs were developed. In the spring, various public and private schools attended grade appropriate k to 8th grade classes in their schools and at Whidbey Watershed Stewards' outdoor classroom where small groups of students explored the forest and stream ecosystems and the plants and creatures who live in them. Spring 2023 programs centered around "Watershed characteristics, macroinvertebrates in the stream and native plants". Approx. 533 students from 5 different schools. In the fall, grades 1st through 8th students participated in classroom programs and field trips to the outdoor classroom that explored our fascinating "salmon in the ecosystem". Students rotated through various hands-on learning activities appropriate for their grade level. Approx. 548 students across 6 schools during july and august two different summer camp programs, in partnership with the south Whidbey parks and recreation, were developed and conducted at the outdoor classroom. The animal ambassadors for ages 5 through 8 explored animal classifications and completed stem oriented activities pertaining to forest-dwelling animal species of the pacific northwest. The survival school students, ages 9 through 12, learned practical wilderness skills and engaged in hands on survival activities. 29 students. Salmon in the classroom program: instructed 3rd and 5th grade students about the life cycle of salmon. Salmon eggs were provided to the school and reared in the school aquariums in conjunction with salmon life cycle lessons. When the fish hatched and reached fry stage, they were released by groups of students with their teachers and families into maxwelton creek at the outdoor classroom. Approx.50 students. Community education was provided to the public through various family oriented events, newsletters, website, and social media.

Stewardship: performed forest, wetland and public beach restoration at 5 locations on south Whidbey island. Aprox. 30 people for 450 volunteer hours.

Conservation / research: participated in community, tribal, and governmental environmental programs. Conducted a crab larva research project and public outreach to the public in conjunction with the pacific northwest crab research group. 275 volunteer hours.

Scholarship: offered one scholarship to a south Whidbey high school senior planning to study biology and environmental science in college and working in the environmental field. Eva wirth received a 1,200 scholarship paid directly to western Washington university.