By Carolyn Davis
NSEA Board Member
30 for Thirty #12

As a kid my family often spent summer vacations fishing for salmon off the coasts of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. My dad allowed me to drive the boat because I would get seasick otherwise, I loved those adventures catching and eating salmon.

As a fourth-grade teacher (now retired), participating with students in NSEA's Students for Salmon program was an annual highlight. I taught at the Lynden School District 15 for 35 years, and Bernice Vossbeck Elementary for 15 years. It was important to me that students learn to respect our environment, including salmon and our local watersheds. I loved watching students get excited as they attentively listened to NSEA mentors, tested the water quality of the local stream, learned about native plants, cleared invasive ivy, and planted shrubs and trees (which are now mature and thriving). The kids loved these lessons, and became better able to understand the need to be good stewards of our Earth and its resources. It made an impact beyond the classroom.

Some years the fourth graders were able to plant along Fishtrap Creek. It is wonderful to see those seedlings and shrubs at 12-20 feet tall. My students made a difference.

Now I am a proud NSEA board member...delighted to watch programs adapt to a pandemic and continue making plans to educate our community and to help salmon thrive in the future.

In the words of one of my heroes, Jane Goodall, "Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." I hope I can make a positive difference by continuing to work with NSEA.

#12 THIRTY FOR 30