Education Programs
In 2020, LCFEG received funding from the Cowlitz Tribe Education and Arts Fund to support a program called FISSH: Fostering Inclusivity in Stewardship of Salmon Habitat. FISSH was focused on providing local teens and young adults with salmon and watershed focused educational programming. The emphasis would be on stewardship of salmon habitat, cultivating a land ethic, developing life and job skills, and exposure to careers in the conservation field. With the Tribe's support for FISSH we have been able to provide mentorship to high school student research projects; create new partnerships with local high schools, nurseries, and nonprofits; develop and acquire funding for a new program, Hope for Salmon; and pilot a new program highlighting native plants called Seeds to Salmon.
Hope for Salmon
Hope for Salmon is designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities that encourage teens to become better salmon and watershed stewards. Lessons include guided experiments on watershed and river models, water and soil quality testing, native and invasive plant species identification, salmon lifecycle obstacle course, and macro-invertebrate capturing and identification in local streams. Hope for Salmon is now funded through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s No Child Left Inside grant program. This grant provides support for staff time and transportation, supplies, and part-time internships for individuals interested in environmental education.
Seeds to Salmon
The Seeds to Salmon program promotes native plant propagation skills and plant availability, while teaching high school students about the interdependency of salmon and healthy watersheds. Students learn various methods of seed stratification, cloning, and the importance of native plants while growing plants for watershed restoration projects. Students are provided the opportunity to learn about careers in conservation while actively engaging in a restoration project. Seeds to Salmon has been working with teachers and students from Advanced Horticulture classes in the Vancouver School District.
Partnerships
Camas High School, CASEE, Camp Hope, City of Camas, Clark College MESA, Columbia Springs, Cowlitz Tribe Education and Arts Fund, Fort Vancouver High School, Good Year Farms, HP-Oasis, Hudson’s Bay High School, Lower Columbia Nature Network, Partners In Careers, Rocksolid Teen Center, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, and Watershed Garden Works.