Thirteen students from Port Townsend and Chimacum school districts and Jefferson Community School recently completed field training for the newly accredited watershed science and stewardship class for the 2016-17 school year.

During the remainder of the school year, the students are to serve for a minimum of 30 hours as leaders and assistants on ecological service projects.

Northwest Watershed Institute (NWI) launched the Northwest Watershed Stewards (YES) program thanks to a $10,000 grant from Jefferson Community Fund’s new Better Living Through Giving Circle, a group of 10 philanthropists, along with other donations.

NWI, a Port Townsend–based nonprofit working to protect and restore Pacific Northwest watersheds and habitats, is partnering with seven natural resource organizations to encourage students to learn directly from professionals about their research, restoration and conservation projects.

“Caring for the earth is the most urgently needed work of our time,” Jude Rubin, NWI stewardship director, said in a press release. “And Jefferson County students can make important, lasting contributions. But first they need a chance to explore environmental issues and natural resource careers by working shoulder to shoulder with experts.”

A week before school began, students completed a field-training course exploring natural ecosystems of East Jefferson County – from headwaters to bays – while focusing on forest health, salmon and wildlife restoration, and water quality.

Now, students are to complete the class by leading tree planting and non-native invasive plant removal events; working as zone captains for the International Coastal Cleanup; and serving as interpretive docents at salmon-bearing streams. In addition, students assist as marine aquarists and outdoor educators.

Student chose from approved projects to meet their own interests and work styles. For example, marine biology students Henry Stier and Caleb Lumbard hauled hundreds of pounds of debris off beaches during the International Coastal Cleanup on Sept 17. Stier worked at Second Beach (La Push) with Carol Bernthal, superintendent of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Bernthal said she was impressed with Stier’s commitment, despite the pouring rain. On the same day, Lumbard worked on his own, cleaning up North Beach in Port Townsend.

Meanwhile, Chimacum Pi sophomore Anna Wilke and PTHS senior Gannon Short tended the Kul Kah Han Native Plant Demonstration Garden during United Good Neighbors Day of Caring.

Collectively, students have signed up for a minimum of 400 hours of work. In addition, seven students are to intern with groups, adding 630 hours of research and restoration. In total, students are predicted to dedicate 1,030 hours through the new program, Rubin said.

Class participants include: Port Townsend High School students Hannah Bahls (Peninsula College Running Start), Caleb Lumbard, Brennan LaBrie, Bodie LaBrie, Rowan Halpin, Ashley Rosser, Gannon Short and Lauren Taracka; Chimacum High School Pi Program students Alex Ben-Barak, Owen Brummel, Mimi Molotsky and Anna Wilke; and Jefferson Community School student Henry Stier.

FIELD COURSE

In August, students participated in a six-day field course. “We did 10 field studies in five days, hosted two dinner events, had four evening classes for professional skills, and completed about 10 hours of homework,” said senior Brennan LaBrie.

Students stayed in dorms at Fort Flagler State Park, with trips to Gibbs Lake County Park, and to multiple sites in the Tarboo-Dabob Watershed, the Snow Creek Watershed and on Marrowstone Island.

Rubin credited the field course success to the positive attitude of students, the dedication of NWI staff and excellence of visiting professional mentors from partner organizations, including Jefferson Land Trust, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Jefferson County Department of Health, and the state Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Through the program, seven students developed independent projects with professional mentors for additional .5 academic credit, which can help fulfill elective, occupational credit, and/or senior project requirements.

PTHS senior Rowan Halpin is to conduct a WDFW study using nonnative varnish clams as an alternative to native clams as bait for the Dungeness crab fishery. “This project is perfect for me. My career goal is to be a science reporter. I absolutely love crabbing. And I am comfortable with public speaking, to present the results,” said Halpin at Fort Flagler.

Thanks to donors and local businesses, the class was free of charge, beyond an optional donation to help cover food costs.

“We launched the program, even though we only had partial funding for the class,” Rubin noted. “Now NWI is seeking donations to complete the program this year, and to offer watershed science and stewardship class in all four local high schools, including Quilcene, next year.”

To support the program, or for more information, contact Rubin at

jude@nwwatershed.org.