Why do you love getting outside?
Being in nature is a big part of our family and small community culture. We began a small nature school several years ago so many of our friend gatherings center around being outside together. Its learning, movement, fun, therapeutic, and energizing and so much more.
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Salmon Coalition?
We live just down the street so this project [3 Crabs Restoration] is really important to us, plus we strongly believe in taking care of the Earth in as many ways, big and small, as possible. And as we homeschool, everything is a learning opportunity.
Do you think others could benefit from volunteering for wild salmon habitat restoration initiatives?
Absolutely, getting down on your hands and knees and being outside is enough of a reason to volunteer, but meeting people who care and helping increase the biodiversity in our local region are more great benefits.
You are the director of a nature school that also has programs specific for younger children. Do you think today's youth could benefit from the work done here at the Salmon Coalition?
Absolutely. Again, just being outside with your hands in the dirt is a learning and growing experience, but children learn from doing so getting involved teaches them more about ecology and science than anything you could teach from a book or an idea.
Do you think the adults from your nature programs, Olympic Nature Experience, could also benefit from salmon habitat restoration work?
I believe that many families involved in our nature programs care deeply about the work the Salmon Coalition and the other local nature centered non-profits do; the Dungeness River Audubon Center, the North Olympic Land Trust, the Organic Seed Alliance to name a few. I think everyone could benefit from volunteering with the Salmon Coalition because we learn and create connections and that is vital to changing the culture to support better salmon habitat.
Do your own little ones love salmon yet?
Oh yes, but not to eat as much as to watch and study. They LOVE when a dead salmon washes up on shore. They want to dissect and explore and watch it decompose. But they love seeing them swim upstream, too. It's a big event when we see them swimming upstream.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
Thanks for the work the Salmon Coalition does and for the opportunity to volunteer. It was a cold, windy, blustery day and it created some excellent memories for my kids!
Thank you, Sarah and Chris, for taking the time to answer our questions. And thank you, readers!
