Youth ages 15 to 18 are invited to apply for a 15 day paddle of the Columbia River this summer at Wildsight’s Columbia River Field School.
You do not have to be an expert paddler, and will learn skills to safely explore BCs waterways.
Participants gain certifications from the Recreational Canoe Association of BC and learn from a diverse set of experts including Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers, scientists and writers, to life-long Basin residents and government officials. The Field School is an opportunity to meet other young people from all over the Basin who are passionate about wild places and conservation on and off the water.
The Field School explores the Canadian part of the Columbia River by canoe, from the headwaters at Canal Flats, through Columbia Lake and the Columbia Wetlands, the Revelstoke area, the Arrow Lakes Reservoir, and to the confluence with the Kootenay River at Castlegar. Participants learn canoe skills and safety at the start of the journey, camp out on the riverside along the way, and paddle important sections of the Columbia.
Participants will study lessons in geography, ecology, hydrology, technology, economics, politics, history and culture.
Past participants into the Field School have earned four units of secondary school credit and Wildsight has partnership with School District 8 confirmed now, which means students from across the Columbia Basin can earn four credits. Talks are underway with other school districts as well.
Along the way, place-based workshops, speakers, activities, and discussions will cover the history and the future of the river, including:
• Indigenous perspectives: Significance of the river for Indigenous nations through history and today
• Ecology and key species: River and wetland ecosystems, biodiversity, endangered and threatened species, invasive species
• Hydrology and river characteristics: Flows, flooding, glaciers and snowpack, nutrients, water quality and quantity monitoring
• Dams and hydroelectricity: Energy and environment, reservoirs and flood control, the history of dam construction
• Columbia River Treaty: Impacts and opportunities, the ongoing renegotiation
• Climate change: Causes, current and projected impacts, challenges and opportunities for adaptation and mitigation
• Youth on policy: What can young people do to have a voice in decision making?
The trip takes place Saturday, July 6 to Saturday, July 20, 2024.
A contribution of $1,000 to $2,000 is suggested but financial aid is available if needed. Students must be 15 years of age by the start date of the trip and no older than 18.
You can apply at https://wildsight.ca/programs/crfs/