Late summer and early fall is a busy, exciting and FUN time of year at the Nisqually River Foundation. One of the highlights of this time of year is the annual Nisqually Stream Stewards (NSS) course! NSS is a 10+ year old adult environmental education program that immerses community members in the cultural, ecological and historical wonders of the Nisqually Watershed. Over the course of 8 weeks, the NSS class travels throughout the watershed – from Mount Rainier National Park to Ohop Valley to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge – and participating in hands-on learning along the way.
This year, we welcomed 31 new NSS classmembers in late July. Although some of these folks have past volunteer experience in the watershed, the vast majority of the class were new to the watershed and interested in getting involved. We started the class at the mouth of the watershed, at the Nisqually Delta and will work up to Mount Rainier by the end.
Even though we still have a whole month left in the course, the 2016 NSS class has been filled with adventure and learning. Some of the highlights include e-birding at BFJNNWR, completing a fish seine at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center, measuring the value of trees at UW Pack Forest, and relaxing in an old growth forest.
Over the next several weeks, NSS participants will collect biodiversity data in Ohop Valley, tour the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Clear Creek Hatchery, meet members of the Nisqually River Council and Citizens Advisory Committee, and hike through alpine habitats at Mount Rainier National Park. The class will graduate at the Nisqually Watershed Festival on September 24th. Join us at 12:15 in the amphitheater to recognize the dedication of these volunteers and celebrate the Nisqually Watershed!
Are you interested in learning more about the NSS class? Visit our webpage or contact us:
email – streamstewards@nisquallyriver.org
phone – 360.438.8715
