The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group in cooperation with many partners hosted its 9th year of Environmental Explorations at Belfair State Park on May 16th, 2007. This annual program provides interactive and hands-on opportunities for approximately 900 7th grade students from throughout the Hood Canal watershed to participate in a day of environmental learning. The Environmental Explorations event features formal programs and interactive stations which highlight the value and preservation of the Hood Canal Watershed. The funding provided to support this project was sponsored by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Kitsap Bank, Olympia Savings and Loan and the Hood Canal Coordinating Council. 
The Environmental Event event is successful due to the help of over 100 local and regional resource professionals and volunteers which contribute numerous hours each year. The 2007 venue had 40 presentations and integrated stations that provided peer teaching and project based learning activities facilitated by North Mason’s Hood Canal Institute students.
The event focus is on Wild Salmon ecosystems and the interconnectedness of all of its biotic and abiotic elements. Paul Dorn, Fisheries Biologist of the Suquamish Tribe gave several presentations throughout the day’s event. Standing in front of a wonderful 24 foot Wild Salmon mural created in 2005 by AmeriCorps team member Sandra Gibbons, Dorn discussed and tied these environmental components together to further student’s understanding of Wild Salmon and their ecosystems.
Department of Natural Resources – Jesse Sims, Joe Labak, Lanie Mason, Heather Cole, Ray Minisch and Sam Jarrett, Seattle Aquarium – Brooke Nelson, Mason Conservation District - Karen Steriloff and Shannon Kirby, Wild Birds Unlimited- Jim Ulrich, Kitsap Audubon Society- John and Dee Finkbiner, Kitsap Stream Team- Macroinvertibrates -Val Koehler, USFS-Karen Holtrop, Woodland Park Zoo- Kathryn Owen, North Mason Master Gardeners- Arp Masley and Sue Texiera, WDFW- Doris Small, Camille Speck and Alex Bradbury, Sea Grant- Teri King & Jim Brennan, Skokomish Tribe- Chris Whitehead, Suquamish Tribe- Paul Dorn, Kitsap Mycological Society- Joan Davis and Volunteers, WSU Cooperative Extension-Emily Piper and Marilyn Brennan, Sardis Raptor Center, Hood Canal School, Hood Canal Institute- Brian Stave and HCI Students, Mason County Health- Seth Book, Amy Georgeson and Wendy Mathews, Kitsap County- Pat Kirshbaum, and Deb Thomas, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe- Mike Jones Sr. Barbara Jones, George Jones Jr. and George Jones, IslandWood- Cynthia Wingren and Janelle Shafer, Nature Mapping - Dan Hannafious and Mendy Tarwater, Diver- Arline Fullerton, ASEG- Dave Higgins and Bill Worth, and WA State Parks, Joel Pillers, Stacy Roland, Ed Long and Steve Baum.
On behalf of the HCSEG, many thanks to our sponsors and all the folks and who have and continue to participate in helping to bring our youth one step closer to understanding their natural world.
Special thanks to our friend Dave Higgins from the Allyn Salmon Enhancement Group, who has taken pictures for many of the events. Also a very special THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who have helped to make this event possible including:
George Bjorgen, Cheryl Loddo, Lynn Fisher, Del Armstrong, Lew San and Maye Augustin, Loy McInturff, Sara Simrell, Nick Barrantes, Don Leonardy, Shayne Monahon, Tom Clark, Kim Gower, Ralph Anderson, Pam Zehe, Roger and Jenny Wallace and Anne White
