World Salmon Council President, Lizanne Saunders, recently had a chance to interview our newest board member, Joe Kelly.
Lizanne – Why did you decide to join the World Salmon Council Board?
Joe – I believe in the importance of healthy watersheds that support wild salmon and healthy communities. I believe the best way to ensure future runs of wild salmon is through education, caring and action.
Lizanne – Can you tell us about your relevant work background?
Joe – I am a high school science teacher and former fisheries biologist.
Lizanne – What do you personally hope to accomplish as a Board member of World Salmon Council?
Joe – I’d like to see a sustainable Salmon Watch program in the Columbia Gorge.
Lizanne – You will be participating in Salmon Watch as a teacher this year for the first time. What do you hope your high school students will gain from their participation in Salmon Watch?
Joe – I teach an Honors Ecology class at Hood River Valley High School that focuses an entire semester on learning about freshwater ecology. One missing piece from my curriculum and from the students’ experience is seeing adult salmon spawning. One can’t underestimate the impact of getting students in the field interacting with all components of an ecosystem. My students are fortunate to have that experience on our campus, but they are missing the experience of seeing salmon spawning in the fall. I think this will be a critical experience that helps contextual our learning throughout the entire course.
Lizanne – How is the Salmon Watch program unique within the realm of environmental education?
Joe – Salmon Watch is unique in that it does the very necessary background training and fundraising to ensure students and teachers get the chance to participate. In addition, they provide curriculum and guidance for teachers in implementing that curriculum in a way that suits their individual needs. Finally, there is the community service aspect which is unique to Salmon Watch. When teachers and students plan and implement community service activities focused on improving water quality or educating their communities, they are establishing behaviors that will have a lasting impact.
Lizanne – What is the most important lesson of the Salmon Watch program?
Joe – Perhaps the most important lesson is that knowledge leads to caring; caring leads to action; and action can lead to real and positive impacts in the environment.
Lizanne – One of the components of the Salmon Watch program is the community service project. What kind of a project will you and your students organize this year to benefit wild salmon and/or watersheds?
Joe – We will participate in habitat improvement projects along Indian Creek and/or Hood River.
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