The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Mike Johnson, a Hancock Forest Management forester, explained the process of preparing a culvert installation to students from Naselle and Wahkiakum high schools involved in the summer Columbia Estuary Environmental Education Program. Photo by Sunny Manary High school students in Wahkiakum County and Naselle can participate in a summer program called the Columbia Estuary Environmental Education Program or CEEEP.

“The purpose of CEEEP is to try to get students to have an interest in Environmental Science where they grew up so they will come back and work here in forestry or fish,” said Karen Bertroch, director of the Wahkiakum Community Foundation.

“The agencies are full of college graduates who sit in cubicles, issue permits and have never been here in Wahkiakum County. They don’t understand the area,” she said.

To participate in CEEEP, interested students must apply in advance and interview like they would for any job. It is a five week program, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Students are selected by their interest in the work and their availability. Students who have to be gone for any part of the five week program are not selected.

This is the fourth summer of CEEEP, Bertroch said. “It all started because of John Doumit, a retired FFA teacher and has blossomed since 2005.”

Students have worked on Nelson Creek, Duck Creek and this year, Clear Creek.

“Duck Creek was our first successful partnership project with Wahkiakum County’s Public Works,” Bertroch said.

Because of that work, the county’s application for a bridge was enhanced and it helped to get the necessary permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The project the students do is different every year. Organizers look at what is needed close to both high schools. “We look at what funding sources are available and what projects match the guidelines,” Bertroch said. This summer, the group is assessing culverts to determine the efficiency for fish passage.

Every summer, students learn how to measure water quality and fish habitat. They will also learn about invasive plant species in order to understand healthy fish habitat in the region.

Jeff Rooklidge, Environmental Science teacher at Wahkiakum High School said he is impressed with the work the group has done so far. “There were more kids last year that were interested in science and going into forestry/botany fields. This year, this group has more diversified interests,” he said.

Some want to go into music or photography. “Hopefully, they will gain a good experience with the job and learning about natural resources.”

If they wish, students can earn college credit through Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. For $300, they can receive a four quarter hour course. Because the college is a private school, Rooklidge said it is a great price. “It’s an unbelievable deal," Rooklidge said.

Wahkiakum senior Brady Johns said he was learning a lot in the program. “It’s a fun job and it’s fun working,” he said, adding that the money wasn’t bad either.

Kyle Burkhalter, who graduated in 2008 from Naselle High School, said he would recommend the program to other students. “It’s very educational and you get to learn a lot about the area you live in,” Burkhalter commented.

The CEEEP students will hold public presentations to display what they have learned. Wahkiakum High School will present on August 8 at 6 p.m. and Naselle High School will present in the commons area on August 9 at 10 a.m.

Mike Johnson, a Hancock Forest Management forester, explained the process of preparing a culvert installation to students from Naselle and Wahkiakum high schools involved in the summer Columbia Estuary Environmental Education Program. Photo by Sunny Manary