News Releases from Region 10

EPA and White House Honor Washington Students for Outstanding Environmental Work

(Seattle – August 16, 2016) Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality recognized several local students for their work to protect endangered salmon and wolves. Fourth graders at Clear Creek Elementary in Kitsap County and a youth advocate for wolf conservation were among 63 students from across the country honored for their environmental education and stewardship achievements.  The President’s Environmental Youth Awards recognize outstanding environmental stewardship projects by kindergarten through 12-grade youth. The awards were presented at a ceremony today at the White House.
 

Clear Creek Elementary 4th Grade “Big Redd” Salmon Mascot

Clear Creek Elementary 4th graders wanted to raise community awareness and knowledge about salmon and their habitats in Kitsap County. The students determined that a salmon mascot could help show community members how salmon are an important sign of local watershed health. The students designed the salmon mascot and held a community vote to select its name, “Big Redd.” Big Redd has made appearances at local elementary, middle, and high schools; local salmon stream releases with fingerlings raised by students; the annual Seafair Whaling Days parade; and at salmon camps and other events around Hood Canal. The students also created a video on salmon in the watershed and painted a mural highlighting the importance of their local creek.

Story Warren “Kids4Wolves” Outreach Project

Story Warren has been passionate about wolves since she observed them in the wild as a young child. She enjoys studying the wolves’ history, behavior, ecology, and impacts on other species. Story created the “Kids4Wolves” project to share her knowledge with other young people about conserving and coexisting with wolves. Kids4Wolves has initiated letter-writing campaigns, participated in policy proceedings, and created informational videos. Story hopes to positively change attitudes about wolves by communicating in-person and through social media. Her goal is to generate interest among young people about wildlife and the outdoors, educate students with well-founded science, and inspire people to get involved in wolf-related policy. 

More information on all of the student environmental award winners is available at:
http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award-peya-winners.

Clear Creek Elementary 4th graders created the “Big Redd” Salmon Mascot to raise community awareness and knowledge about salmon in Kitsap County, Washington. Big Redd has made appearances at local schools, salmon stream releases with fingerlings raised by students, the annual Seafair Whaling Days parade, and at salmon camps and other events around Hood Canal. 

Story Warren has been passionate about wolves since she observed them in the wild as a young child. She enjoys studying the wolves’ history, behavior, ecology, and impacts on other species. Story created the “Kids4Wolves” project to share her knowledge with other young people about conserving and coexisting with wolves.