2018 People of Big River Field Class

Today is a new day and a new campground that has beautiful views of Deschutes National Forest, but also angry bears. Yes, we had a bear going around our campground, but thankfully we have our bear specialist, Pedro Chavarria, who gave us safety instructions just in case the bear gets hungry. Many of my colleagues, including myself, woke up many times at night because we heard footsteps and noises of an animal outside our tents. I am so thankful we have not taken showers and I strongly believe that was the reason we woke up alive. Enough of the bear talk. Today we visited Pacific Northwest Training Center where we had the opportunity to learn of all of the operations that included Hot Shot jumpers, aircraft fire resource, Catche Administration, and the Dispatch Control Center where many emergencies regarding fires at various forests at communicated to be planned.  The Hot Shot jumpers are crews where they received extensive training on jumping from 1500 feet to fight firest and they’re

This journey has been amazing to learn more of the native culture and the great resources Yakama Nation is using to help fish of all varieties travel safely, keep track of their journey to analyze data and their performance, and collect scales to be sent to labs where the scientist will identify fish characteristics and travel stream data.  Klickitat Falls fishing side was exciting to see the area in which many native tribe members go traditional fishing. Traditional fishing is very meaningful to the native tribe and is part of the culture, but it is also very dangerous. Many lives have passed away by traditional fishing, but as John Washines mentioned, Technical technician, lives were taken away because the river gives life as well as it takes lives away and there is a price you have to pay. Many natives take this loss as a spiritual meaning because the salmon and other species have been providing for their people, but also, they must give back life to the river. I am still amazed at

Today I had the opportunity to meet Jeanette Burkhardt, the watershed planner for Yakama Nation, who explained the issues and plans the fishery program has been doing to save Salmon and restore vegetation land. Jeanette’s job consists of grant writing for funding and educational outreach. While we were discussing the issues Yakama Nation rivers experienced daily, she explained the history of the local Condit dam that was destroyed in 2013 because it was affecting white salmon and steelhead who were being killed by the underground sediment that was gain by the construction of the dam in 1912. I was very shocked to know this dam was constructed to provide electric power for paper mill factories and these growing businesses during the 19 th century was not aware or conscious of the damage they were part of. I am angry to know many growing industries using CO2 emissions are being negligent of their productions process. Jeanette also took us on a short hike where the dam was demolished by

The morning was beautiful, seeing Patatoe Hill waiting for me to hike it. The hill was very steep and difficult to hike it, but that was because I’m not in physical condition. Regardless of unfortunate falls going up and down, I had the opportunity to experience one of the best views in Washington, seeing Mountain St. Adams. I’m very honor to experience the reservation and beautiful views it offers. The Yakama reservation has many amazing views, but also many locations where many families from the tribe come and camp, fish, hunt, and other events as Jacob Billy, Cultural coordinator, explained. During the day, my group and I had the opportunity to visit Chaparral youth camp. We met Doug Olney, forestry research manager, who has been working for the forestry reservation for more than 40 years. Doug explained the importance of keeping the forest in healthy tree maintenance and solve issues from what climate change has been doing in the forest. One of the reasons Doug has been working fo

I arrived at Heritage University not knowing where the People of the River staff was going to take the group of more than 10 individuals. The group consisted of high school students and the other half, college students. As we prepare ourselves for the trip, one of Yakama Nation coordinator gave the group a presentation that consisted in how climate change is affecting the reservation. Yakima Nation reservation land and culture is very sacred to the tribe and has decided to begin a climate adaptation plan, with the support of the organizations and USDA guidance, to ensure the reservation stays for many years through sustainable environmental practices. The Climate action plan also involves cattle and other animals who are very important to the culture of the region. As Jonalee Squeochs was presenting, I was pondering about my internship with YCH HOPS and the project I’m working on. The project consists of recommending the company in ways they should communicate (marketing messaging