Wrangell Institute For Science and Environment
Craig Bailer
I am very glad that I went on this trip. I never realized that land ownership In the Copper River Watershed was so complicated. It was interesting to see how the Trans-Alaska Pipeline crosses over several major tributaries of the Copper River without any additional safeguards, and how insufficient the river spill scenarios are. I think that it is important to make sure that the watershed is preserved, the fish harvest kept sustainable, and the land management issues are resolved. I think that the Copper River and areas surrounding it should be kept wild and thriving. (Top)
Dani Hess
The Copper River Watershed is one of the most unique and pristine on the planet.
The diversity and complexity of this ecosystem has much to teach those who spend
their time in it. The many people who depend on the health and abundance of this
basin for their livelihood and recreation have a responsibility to be aware of their
impacts on it. From the many things that I learned about managing a watershed like
the Copper River basin during the trip, the most important was how necessary it is
for all user groups and land owners to know how their actions in one area are affecting
the greater surroundings. It is crucial the health of the watershed for these users
to collectively make decisions about what the land and river are used for with the
bigger picture in mind. (Top)
Matt Maxwell
I really enjoyed learning about the salmon. We learned about the habitats
and the ways people catch and harvest the salmon. Learning about how people use the
fish gave me a different perspective on all the different fisheries on the Copper
River.
This will be a trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. I hope they can continue this program in the future. This is a very fun way to learn and experience the area with your peers. The CRSP program helped me understand the Copper River and made it so I could share it with everyone. I can look at the Copper River as a whole now, not just from what people tell me about it. I recommend this trip to everyone! (Top)
Daniel Leahy
Since my participation in the Copper River Stewardship Program, I've been left with a lasting fascination of the topics we discussed throughout the trip. Especially noteworthy is the topic of the pipeline, since our trip I have read further about the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. What initially led to such interest was a conversation I had with one of the parents at the Watershed Project's open house. I remember commenting how the pipeline is aging and was recently signed for a new lease, how we passed peak oil two decades ago. She then commented how the pipeline was where our state budget came from. That conversation drove me to start thinking that we don't invest enough money on infrastructure and education. Rather than directing our large surpluses to reverse our states brain drain or to encourage investment we hand out Permanent Fund Dividend checks every year. Which generate popular support but don't improve our dropout rate, which is twice the national average. With our limited time to do so, our state budget should prioritize future-proofing and diversifying our economy. (Top)
Jessica Smyke
I learned a ton of new information on this trip. A major lesson I learned is that you need to talk to a group of people before making opinions. I wrote my opinions in my journal, and the next day I had totally changed my mind because of listening to my peers. I really learned to be more open-minded on this trip.
In my personal life, I would like to start paying more attention to the environment and how it is being treated so I can do my part to help preserve my home. I want to find out more about the watershed and how it’s being managed. I want to get involved in programs that work towards the preservation of the watershed and all the resources in it. I want to start picking up more trash when I see it. Sometimes I will see trash on the ground and think, “I don’t need to pick that up. It’s not my fault that someone else dropped it there.” Now I know that it doesn't matter who dropped it; if I want to preserve the watershed I need to pick it up. (Top)
Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment - Copper Center, Alaska
Office: 907-822-3575 Cell 907-259-3575 or 907-822-3282 Contact Us