Mud and skunk cabbage

I'm up to my boots in mud on Bandon Marsh, south of Charleston. The Shorebird Sister School Programme is run by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to inspire shorebird and habitat conservation. In this area it brings over 800 local 10-12 year-olds to the shore after four lead-up classroom sessions. Here we are looking at some of the invertebrates we have dug up in the mud to see what different shorebirds eat. Chatting to the kids I find out that they have been working on bird identification, adaptation and the threats they face.

I am very lucky to spend the afternoon with Tom Gaskill, who has been the Education Program Coordinator at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve for 15 years. We have a very interesting discussion as we walk through the beautiful wetlands and forests of this 4,800 acre natural area in the Coos estuary, set up in 1974 to protect estuarine habitats for long-term research, education, and coastal stewardship. The team at South Slough runs a very active schools outreach programme, including involving students in Google Earth mapping using data collected in the field and in the development of restoration programmes. They are currently working with OIMB, Hatfield Marine Science Center and North West Aquatic and Marine Educators to develop modules on watershed, estuarine and marine environmental education. Tom himself is on a Task Force which is building environmental literacy standards into State Education.

The week at Charleston ends with a lovely meal with Professor Jan Hodder, OIMB Academic Co-ordinator and her husband Mike Graybill, who manages the South Slough NERR. Trish Mace from OIMB and her son Ian are also there. Over a couple of glasses of wine we talk around Oregon's environmental affairs and, at least as important, enjoy excellent company.