BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal

Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Summary

Title of project
Yakima Basin Environmental Education

BPA project number   9405900

Short description
This environmental education program provides teachers necessary knowledge, through field experience, in a wide range of topics, including salmon and water resources. Teachers replicate these lessons and field trips with students to provide relevant, hands-on, interdisciplinary activities.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Yakima Education Service District

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; education

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   YAKIMA AND TRIBS; KLICKITAT
Subbasin   YAKIMA; KLICKITAT

History
The Environmental Education Training Program offers teachers throughout the Yakima Basin the necessary knowledge, through field experience, in a variety of environmental topics, including salmon and water resources. Teachers receive training in a wide range of topics including salmon life cycle and spawning requirements, monitoring of water quality, and understanding water needs (reservoirs, irrigation diversion, cultural use, agricultural use, industrial use, hydroelectric power). Teachers are able to replicate these lessons and field trips with their students, and involve the students in real hands-on activities that provide a relevant interdisciplinary curriculum. Activities range from math and science investigations to language arts, journal writing, historical investigations of the watershed, civics, economics and responsible citizenship. Other involved groups include the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Ecology, and North Yakima Conservation District.

Biological results achieved
Over the past five years, students have identified projects to improve water quality and habitat on Cowiche Creek, Wide Hollow Creek, Satus Creek, Toppedsh Creek, and the Yakima River.

Adaptive management implications
This on-going program is in its fifth year of operation. In excess of 150 teachers throughout the region are trained and annually over 2,000 students are involved in hands-on activities related to understanding and being involved in better stewardship of our watershed.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
1. Provide relevant, hands-on curriculum for all participating students and teachers.
2. Provide students and teachers with equipment and materials to participate in local environmental education activities.
3. Create community partnerships to improve education and the environment.
4. Stimulate student interest in science and the environment as career choices.
5. Protect and rehabilitate local habitat.

Alternative approaches
N/A

Justification for planning
N/A

Section 5. Planned activities

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
N/A

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
N/A

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
N/A

Indirect biological or environmental changes
N/A

Physical products
N/A

Environmental attributes affected by the project
N/A

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
N/A

Measure of attribute changes
N/A

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
N/A

Information products
N/A

Coordination outcomes
This ongoing program is in it's fifth year of operation. In excess of 150 teachers through out the region are trained and annually over 2000 students are involved in hands-on activities related to understanding and being involved in better stewardship of our watershed.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
N/A

Data analysis and evaluation
N/A

Information feed back to management decisions
N/A

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
N/A

Evaluation
N/A

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
N/A

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
This environmental education program increases the understanding and appreciation of fish and wildlife resources and their associated habitats, including salmon and water resources, wetland functions, and similar topics. Participants gain insights into complex natural resource topics and the various benefits received from our natural resources, including, energy, agriculture, fish and wildlife, recreation, and cultural values.

Section 7. Relationships

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $100,000

Other non-financial supporters
Bureau of Reclamation; City of Yakima; Pacific Power and Light; Tree Top Corp.; Boise Cascade Corp.; Yakama Indian Nation; Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; North Yakima Conservation District; Washington Department of Ecology; various private farmers.

How does percentage apply to direct costs
Total