Teens Participate in YELP

By Andrew Grant, 2007 Y.E.L.P. participant

From July 18 th-27 th Andrew Grant, Ryan Langston, Karl Oman, Chelsea Rothchild, Jake Nowicki, Drew Lindow, Zeben Kopchak, and Erik VanCleve participated in the Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP). During this 10 day trip we learned about the effects oil has on the environment, such as causing damage to the ecosystem when spilled. We learned that oil emissions contribute a great deal to Global Warming and we learned that Global Warming is a major contributor to Ocean Acidification, a process in which the ocean’s pH scale goes down, causing certain species of shellfish to potentially die off and dealing serious damage to the ecosystem.

We also learned about the ecosystem around the Copper River Watershed. For the first two days we camped at Mavis Island, went kayaking to Humpback Creek where we learned about Geographic Information Systems with Stephanie Waite. After that we went to the museum at Ilanka where we talked about the Exxon Valdez oil spill. We also visited the Copper River Watershed Project and learned about the possibilities of an oil spill in the Copper River Watershed and the damage that such an oil spill could do. We then went to Valdez and met the Prince William Sound RCAC (Regional Citizens Advisory Council) where we learned about measures being taken to prevent another oil spill in the Prince William Sound such as the introduction of double hulled tankers and escort tugboats. We then drove to Chitina where we began a five day rafting trip down the Copper River with Alaska River Expeditions.

During this trip we learned about the ecosystem of the Copper River. We had a great time and we learned much. After we got back to Cordova we began creating projects to teach other people what we had learned. We also went on a hike to the reservoir, picking berries along the way. We also went to the Power Creek Hydroelectric Plant where we learned about electricity production and alternative energy sources, such as using water and wind power. After that we began putting the finishing touches on our projects. On the 27 th we went down to the Copper River Watershed Project and presented our projects as well as talking about what we had all learned at an open house. The YELP camp officially ended at noon of the same day.

Altogether, we had a great time. We learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and had the experiences of a lifetime.

Yelp participants on the Copper River : Front row: Chelsea Rothchild , Drew Lindow, Eric VanCleve, Zeben Kopchak , Kate Alexander . Back row: Jake Nowicki, Karl Oman, Andrew Grant and Ryan Langston.

The 2007 Youth Environmental Leadership Program was run in partnership by the Prince William Sound Science Center, Alaska River Expeditions and the Copper River Watershed Project. It was made possible with funding from the Oil Spill Recovery Institute, Education Legacy Fund and the Meacham Foundation.

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A Journey through the Copper River Watershed

By Leif Stavig, 2006 Y.E.L.P. participant

Six high school students from Cordova, Juneau, and Sutton Alaska attended the Prince William Sound Science Center’s Youth Environmental Leadership Program from Aug. 1-10. For ten days Emily Branch, Erik VanCleve, Leif Stavig, Taylor Barnes, Chelsea Rothchild, and Alice Grimwood learned about the unique Copper River Watershed, through kayaking, canoeing, and even rafting down the Copper River from Chitina to the Million Dollar Bridge. Taylor described the program as being, “an amazingly fun experience, but educational at the same time.”

The experience started out Tuesday night with a talk by Dune Lankard of the Eyak Preservation Council, who filled all the students and counselors with inspiration with his incredible stories from his past. After he shared his stories, everyone went to sleep feeling good about themselves and what they can do to make the world a better place. The next morning, they all got up and headed to the Alganik River to go on a short canoe trip. The students learned a lot about the fish of the Delta from USFS Fish Technician Brian Neilson and learned about water quality and the different organisms that live in rivers from Becky Clausen, Copper River Watershed Project. Both Brian and Becky taught the students things they never knew before through hands-on experiences.

The following day, the students went on a kayak trip from Orca out to Humpback Creek, guided by Seawan Gehlbach from Cordova Coastal Outfitters. Out at the stream, Dirk Lang, USFS, gave an interesting presentation about salmon, teaching the students many things they did not know about salmon and their habitat. After the kayaking trip everyone went over to Ilanka Cultural Center, where they received a presentation by Kanisha Tiedeman and LaRue Barnes about the native culture and history of the Watershed and Cordova area.

Their adventure down the Copper River was delayed a couple of days by a storm that kept the ferry in Cordova. The students took advantage of the time to do more local research and met with representatives from the Ilanka Cultural Center, the Cordova Museum and the Native Village of Eyak. When they finally made it to Valdez, the students still had time to stop by Pump Station 12 of the Alyeska Pipeline on their way to Chitina. Steve Hampton met us at the pump station and informed everyone about the pipeline and all of the security measures and cleanup procedures they have in place in case of a skill. He was experienced with the pipeline, having worked with it from the beginning and taught everyone all about the pipeline and answered any and all questions relating to it.

After getting to Chitina and loading up the rafts, everyone was very ready to start their journey downriver. Passing by the towering mountains, humongous glaciers, diverse wildlife, and incredible vegetation was an unforgettable experience for all the students. “It’s really interesting to be in a place that is untouched by man,” Erik said after the trip. Emily said the “trip was awesome but it went by really fast, and I would do it again anytime!” The river guides from AK River Expeditions all shared their knowledge about the Copper River to the kids. They learned all about the geology, plants, animals, culture, salmon, and human use from the guides. Alice said she “had a blast learning different things and just floating down the river.” Robin and Mark Iriving were helped by their sons, Keagan and Kyle, who helped significantly with the success of the trip. “We were told by Dune Lankard that the trip would be life-changing and it was. It gives you a whole new view on the watershed. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Chelsea.

The trip ended on Wednesday, and the students now had their turn to educate the community with a presentation of their trip at the Copper River Watershed Project. They prepared a display and presented it the day after their trip. They all had fun sharing their experiences and the students hope that anyone who missed the open house on Thursday will come see their project at the Copper River Watershed Project office next to Wells Fargo.

The Youth Environmental Leadership Program was a big success and all the students appreciate the hard work so many people put into the program. They would like to thank the Copper River Watershed Project, the Science Center and all the volunteers who made the program so special for each of them. They also want to specifically thank Kate Alexander, Lindsay Butters, and Katie Froning for being the coolest counselors ever!

The 2006 Youth Environmental Leadership Program was run in partnership with the Prince William Sound Science Center, Copper River Watershed Project and the US Forest Service and was made possible with grants from the Mountaineers Foundation and the Oil Spill Recovery Institute.