The quality of work performed by our interns has produced credible and sound data that has been used by agencies for up-to-date habitat inventory reference.  As such, our goal is to keep quality folks working for us to continue our mutual goals of Wild Salmon recovery and habitat restoration.   Four of our past interns have since been employed as biologists with the HCSEG after completing their college degrees.  Many others have secured positions in environmental related work with Federal, State, and local agencies and or organizations.
 

The interns set out for a day of stream gridding on the Tahuya River.
                                                                                                                  

After the first internship, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and HCSEG became partners in a much larger program in Mason County. HCSEG offered internships to the next scholarship recipients, and DNR provided funding for additional high school interns as well. DNR staff also provided training and equipment. 

Cuyler measures large woody debris (LWD) with a caliper.

Guided by methods utilized by former DNR Biologist Jeff Cederholm, interns began the habitat inventory/gridding by doing the same work in the Hood Canal Watershed.  They started with the Dewatto river, with the ultimate goal of gridding every river draining into Hood Canal. 
 

Pete & Brandon prepare to measure stream width.
 

An example of grid points on the Dewatto River. The interns walk every meter of a river, including its tributaries, as far as fish are found. They place a permanent benchmark every 100 meters up the river or trib mouth.

They conduct an intensive survey within each 500 meter unit, that involves measuring stream width, pools, gradient, counting & measuring large woody debris, etc. The interns also GPS each 100 meter benchmark and create maps. The data gathered by the interns is very valuable to HCSEG and the DNR.

With such intensive ground work, we are able to monitor changes in each watershed.  We also have a system of identifying habitat problems or specific places in a stream by way of the benchmarks.  The Dewatto Nutrification Study is an example of a project that uses the data & benchmarks provided by the interns.  Listed below are our other streams and river systems that have been surveyed by interns. 

Tahuya River System,  Dewatto River System, Union River System, Duckabush River, Mission Creek, Stavis Creek, Rendsland Creek, Big Ben Creek, Eagle Creek, Clark Creek, Fulton Creek, Jorsted Creek, Miller Creek, Sund Creek, Waketickeh Creek, Dalby Creek, Hill Creek, Little Lilliwaup, Schaerer Creek, Twanoh Creek,Twanoh Falls Creek, Shady Beach Creek, McDonald Creek, Jenn’s Way Creek, WRIA 16-0331, WRIA 16-0325, Happy Hollow Creek, Holyoke Creek, Lakewood Creek, Anderson Creek, Boyce Creek, Sweetwater Creek, Seabeck Creek, Bear Creek, Little Quilcene River, Stimson Creek, Cady Creek, Shoefly Creek, Gold Creek, Grata Creek, Tin Mine Creek & Courtney Creek

In addition to the habitat inventory conducted, our interns have also helped our neighboring RFEG the North Olympic Salmon Coalition with forage fish surveying for several summers and have worked in clean-up efforts in locating and removing ghost net and derelict gear.  Lastly, they have assisted in Adventure Salmon Camps and public outreach to the community.   

We would like to thank the US Fish & Wildlife Service, all of those who have contributed at our previous Scholarship Auctions, private donors to the Scholarship/Internship Program and DNR for providing the funding, training, equipment, and expertise that has made this possible.