Nisqually River education group looking for volunteers

A local education organization is seeking volunteers for training and work on the Nisqually River. 

Eye on Nature is an environmental education program that Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge partners with, co-sponsored by Sheila Wilson (Nisqually River Education Project), Rachel Stendahl (Chehalis Basin Education Consortium) and Daniel Hull (Nisqually Reach Nature Center), according to an Eye on Nature news release. Eye on Nature field trips is the culminating component of a year-long environmental education program in both the Nisqually and Chehalis watersheds, designed to educate on watershed-specific subjects and to foster a sense of stewardship. Eye On Nature field trips are citizen science-based field investigations and all classes receive pre-trip classroom presentations to prepare for their trip, which goes over the history of the refuge, and the citizen science project they’ll be engaging in during the field trip.

These field trips involve many local school district including the Eatonville School District, according to the news release. These events require quite a bit of help from community volunteers, so the organization is putting out the call to as many people as possible. 

Anyone interested can attend volunteer training in April. Attendance is required for all new volunteers and encouraged for returning volunteers.

"Learn all about the Eye On Nature program and how it is designed to provide positive, fun, meaningful and memorable experiences for students," the news release states. "After completing this training you will become familiar with Eye On Nature activities and have a chance to practice doing them yourself!"

The training takes place from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. on April 10. Volunteers can also take the optional Plant and Bird Identification training from  12 - 4 p.m. on April 23. 

Field trip dates are; 

• April 12
• April 15
• April 16
• April 22
• May 6
• May 9
• May 10
• May 13
• May 14
• May 22
• May 28
• June 10
• June 13

All volunteers are asked to participate in at least two or more field trip dates.