Featured Nisqually Stream Stewards: Richard Hanft and Candra Grimm

The Nisqually Stream Stewards is a program offered by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Nisqually River Council. Each year, 30 participants receive 40 hours of free training in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service within the Nisqually Watershed. We hope to inspire people to become better stewards of their local environments, through citizen science or volunteer opportunities. Richard Hanft and Candra Grimm, both graduates of the 2015 Stream Stewards class, recently completed their 40 hour volunteer commitments. Learn more about the work that they’ve been doing, their thoughts on the program, and advice for future volunteers!

Richard Hanft completed a variety of volunteer opportunities, including assisting at the Nisqually Tribe’s weir and hatchery, and leading students on water quality monitoring field trips through the Nisqually River Education Project. Richard was also an active Salmon Watcher during last winter’s spawning season. This program collects valuable information on the numbers and species of salmon in the Nisqually Watershed. Congratulations, Richard!

Richard (left) worked at the Nisqually Tribe's weir along with his brother and fellow NSS volunteer, Deon. Photo: Richard Hanft — Richard (left) worked at the Nisqually Tribe’s weir along with his brother and fellow NSS volunteer, Deon. Photo: Richard Hanft

Thank you for being a Nisqually Stream Steward (NSS)!

Did you know you’re already over your 40 hour volunteer commitment? Wow! Was it easy or hard?

I cannot believe I have the hours now. I really enjoyed learning about the Nisqually Rivershed as Deon and I wanted to know about the River. I could not believe how many salmon return and how the hatchery can make such a big difference in returning salmon to the area. I know I probably missed a lot of hours being turned in but that is okay. For me it was hard to remember to log the hours and put the hours where Deon & I worked or where I just worked. But it has been exciting and fun.

What was the best part of the NSS course for you?

The best was working with those nice people at the weir. Counting so many fish was great & watching how the process it handled was outstanding. I also enjoyed helping out at the hatchery. Those are big fish!!!!

What’s been the most rewarding thing about your volunteer time spent since you started NSS? What was the most inspiring thing that you’ve learned from participating in NSS?

The local area people who participate showed me how committed people really are in keeping the environment clean & healthy for future generations. It was great to see. The program you & Sheila & the other team members is fantastic.

Any advice for future NSS?

As for advice, just keep the program going. Maybe have the Casino provide some of those great deli sandwiches for the classes sometime. Yet, your snacks were excellent. The road trips were very informative & worthwhile.

Thanks for giving me & Deon the chance to be Nisqually Stewards.

Candra Grimm, participating in a Nature Mapping exercise with Northwest Trek and Nisqually River Council volunteers. Photo: Candra Grimm

Candra completed her 40 hours of volunteer time through multiple opportunities. She participated in multiple citizen science programs offered by Northwest Trek, and enhanced nutrient loads in the Nisqually River for the benefit of salmon. Candra shares her thoughts below! Congratulations, Candra!

Did you know you’re already over your 40 hour volunteer commitment? Wow! Was it easy or hard?

I kept an Excel sheet of my hours so I was anticipating meeting the commitment within the last two months. Making the commitment to learn how to help in the Nisqually watershed was easy. Making sure I could give my own 40 hours was the hard part. The timing of this could not have been any better as this time last year I had just learned I would be working in a full-time career in Olympia. I came into NSS with outdoor science passion and education. I wanted to learn about a local watershed and the people who reside there.

What was the best part of the NSS course for you?

I think the NSS course gave me a chance to delve into a history book in real life. The best part was connecting to history of the watershed and learning how to go out and make a difference in the way that the Nisqually would want people to do service above self. The course gives anyone the chance to learn about ways to make a difference in the Nisqually River watershed. Learning about the battle a salmon from the Nisqually makes in the river that is furthest South in the Puget Sound to get to the ocean and back was an integral step in knowing how to help.

What’s been the most rewarding thing about your volunteer times spent since you started NSS?

As a citizen scientist, Candra helped collect data on the animals found in the watershed, like these frog eggs in Ohop Valley. photo: Candra Grimm

The most rewarding part of being an NSS in the Nisqually is being able to choose where to spend your own time within the watershed. The moment you put a limitation on someone’s volunteer time or place, is the moment you may have lost their commitment. NSS was a beautiful way to introduce a new person into the watershed community. Since I started, I have been able to go out in the field and actually see nature through my eyes, my camera lens and experience the outdoors with others. No matter what part of the watershed we go to, the experience is always different and unbelievably rich in culture. We learn to grow with and appreciate the Nisqually from the glacier to the reach.

What is the most interesting and inspiring thing that you’ve learned from participating in NSS?

The most inspiring thing I have learned is the people the Nisqually watershed impacts. The people in our NSS 2015 class were very thoughtful and made the learning experience all the better.

Any advice for future NSS?

“There is no lack of knowledge out there. Just a shortage of asking for help.”