By Justin Lamb
Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew and WCC Crew Supervisor
October 2004-2012,
Thirty for 30 #3

I suppose I didn't actually choose NSEA at first. I had applied to the WCC crews and first had an interview for the City of Bellingham positions which they did NOT pick me. Can you believe that?!? Crestfallen, I later got a call from Isaiah Webb, who was the WCC supervisor at NSEA at that time, that he was still hiring and asked if I would like to interview. Well, let's say from there things definitely took off. One year as crew member, one as assistant supervisor, and then 6 years as supervisor. Strange looking back on it, realizing it might not have happened. I suppose I had lots of opportunities to change crews or supervise somewhere else. But NSEA was the place that felt like home. I don't think I ever really considered something else until I was ready.

After many years and lots of coworkers, I found myself saying "Maybe the work isn't always glamorous or super exciting, but I always know that I'm making a difference. I'm doing good work, making the world a better place."

My time at NSEA gave me a sense of confidence that propelled me to do some crazy things. After leaving NSEA, we packed up our lives to travel to Africa, work in Alaska and [now] have a baby!

Katie with a bright male chum carcass found while doing a spawner survey in Chuckanut Creek.

30 for Thirty #2

By Katie Duane, Monitoring Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member 2012-2014.

I chose to work with NSEA because of its community-based, holistic approach to stewardship of our local natural resources. I loved that I not only was able to contribute scientific research, but also work with a variety of community members and organizations to enhance local salmon habitat.

Being an AmeriCorps Member with NSEA for two years (2012-2014), allowed me to get the entry-level experience I needed to start my career in environmental science. I learned how to do high quality scientific monitoring in conjunction with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as work with the community to restore salmon habitat. My husband and I then went on to establish an agricultural research and training center with a non-profit in Mozambique. We taught a sustainable agricultural method which helps local farmers, who are in poverty, steward the resources they have in order to feed their families and make a profit. After working overseas for a few years, we are now back in my home state of Minnesota, working on shifting the family farm my mother grew up on to be a more sustainable operation. NSEA was a stepping-stone that helped me learn how to accurately monitor the progress of sustainability projects, as well as how to involve a community in environmental stewardship.

Katie and fellow AmeriCorps member Claire doing spawner survey at a tributary to Landingstrip Creek that NSEA had daylighted five years prior.

NSEA is a bright spot of hope in a world where there are many discouraging things happening. We see so much habitat destruction and sometimes it seems like there is so little being done about it. Back then, going to an NSEA work party or a staff meeting made it clear [to me] that there are people who really do care and are working together to make a difference. I am proud I was part of the work NSEA is doing. Knowing that they are still improving salmon habitat and providing opportunities for the community to be involved in that effort made a difference then and will have a bigger impact over the next 30 years.