Public Education - ONGOING
SWCC public education initiatives provide accurate and updated information on current conservation issues and opportunities within the Skeena watershed. These programs take the form of film nights, slide shows, guest lectures, technical presentations, field courses and information brochures. They occur at all levels of the regional community including; schools, band councils, town councils, chambers of commerce, stakeholder groups and community meetings.
The Skeena watershed is a large complex ecosystem on an internationally significant scale. The recent pace of development proposed in the Skeena is challenging for any one person or group of people to keep with. Our public education programs utilize a well connected network of government, industry, NGO, First Nation and community service groups to deliver forward moving education and outreach products.
Education is the foundation of effective stewardship and sustainable development planning.
Conservation Camps for Kids
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2009 will be our 5th year of operation with the Cliffs at Kispiox River organizing and instructing camps for youth aged 10-17. This past year we hosted 3 weeks of camps in August at the wilderness resort where participants learned to identify edible & medicinal plants, swiftwater safety, bear awareness, tracking and the art of wildlife identification, campfire cooking, oaring a raft, horsemanship, fly-fishing and MUCH more. All these skills are integrated with a conservation based curriculum that helps instill our youth with a unique and passionate connection to nature. Most students come from the local area and the camps this year boast a number of international students including a group of orphans. SWCC donates the skills of our outdoor instructors and camp facilitators and would like to thank BC Parks, Raven Rescue, Chris Howard and Kispiox Fishing Company for donating their expertise as well. For more information, please {encode=“shannon@skeenawatershed.com” title=“Email Shannon”} and receive a free brochure.
Skeena Watershed School Curriculum
SWCC is organizing with forestry, biology, math, geography and outdoor recreation teachers from regional schools to develop a Skeena Watershed School Curriculum, at the high school level. This program will introduce locally relevant lesson plans to traditional academic course loads. The long term goal of the Skeena Watershed School Curriculum is to fully incorporate Skeena specific lesson plans into regional school programs, much like the elementary level programs already being implemented.
These lesson plans include; Skeena geography (global, regional, local), trip planning exercises, goggle earth mapping, upper Skeena flora and fauna, pacific wild salmon ecology and fire ecology. The watershed’s future leaders are in the regional school system now. By providing teachers with locally engaging lesson plans, we will help students incorporate their educational experience with a growing sense of community service and stewardship.
While these lesson plans are being developed, SWCC’s education Team provides course/subject specific presentations that assist teachers with their current lesson plans. Topics we have helped with include (but are not limited to): a local community organization example, “How can I help?”, local environmental threats, how small groups make a difference (think globally act locally). To sign your class up for a Skeena specific lesson plan or learn more about the long term goals of this educational project contact: {encode=“breeann@skeenawatershed.com” title=“Breeann Semeschuk”}
Film Nights
Usually hosted once per month in a number of communities within the watershed, our film nights are home to many of the initiatives working within the watershed and internationally. Admission is always by donation and many stay after the film for a discussion. To find out what film is playing next in your community, contact: {encode=“breeann@skeenawatershed.com” title=“Breeann Semeschuk”}
Elementary Program Development
Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition SWCC) partnered with the Storytellers Foundation in the 2007/2008 school year to deliver hands on workshops in the local Hazelton schools looking at the issues of food and waste. Also part of the goal was to invite kids to engage is community development that was tangible, they could see the result of their efforts.
The workshops were geared towards grades 4 – 7 and encouraged the youth to think critically about community issues, specifically in association with food. Students learned about local food systems, explored issues around food miles and waste, and took action by building a pop bottle green house and planted seedlings.
The success of the first year of this program has led to the development of Stage 2 of a youth education partnership with the Storytellers. Stage 2 will focus on Water. While still in the development stages, the Water lessons will encourage kids to take a closer look at where water comes from, specifically the Skeena watershed, the importance of clean water and the human reliance on water.
One of the most exciting developments of the school curriculum for 2008/ 2009 will be the inclusion of youth mentors. Storytellers will be employing youth from the community who will actively participate in local programs to better their community. The goal of the partnership with SWCC and Storytellers is to have the youth end up teaching the modules (food systems, and water) to the younger children. This is in line with SWCC’s commitment to sustainable community projects that will contribute to a vibrant, sustainable economy in our area.
To have your class included in these workshops, please contact {encode=“breeann@skeenawatershed.com” title=“Breeann Semeschuk”} or {encode=“chris@skeenawatershed.com” title=“Chris Gee”}. while the program is developed for the Hazelton area, these modules are relevant to any area in the Northwest. Contact us to learn more.
