June Highlights: Outdoor Education with SkeenaWild

June Events Kick Off a Summer of Salmon Stewardship

Stream science, kayaking, and fry releases connect youth to salmon and stewardship.

SkeenaWild’s education team launched into summer with a busy June full of interactive, place-based learning experiences across the Skeena region. From streamside science to sea kayaking, students and community members engaged deeply with salmon ecosystems, conservation, and outdoor skills. In addition to in-class workshops, here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:

Maker Day and Career Exploration at NTETC

June 4

We were excited to participate in the 2025 Maker Day and Career Day at the Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre (NTETC). Our team led a hands-on watershed activity and shared insights into conservation careers and SkeenaWild’s work across the region.

Highlights:
• 230 enthusiastic students

• 60 dedicated volunteers

• Hands-on learning and career inspiration

Exploring Howe Creek Salmon Habitat – School Workshop

with Fisheries and Oceans Canada | June 6

Students joined us for a land-based learning experience at Howe Creek, where they explored a local stream ecosystem and learned about the conditions needed for healthy salmon populations. Through interactive activities and observation, they discovered how clean water, streamside vegetation, food, and shelter all support fish life. The workshop encouraged students to think like scientists and reflect on how they can help protect and restore aquatic habitats in their own communities.

Goodbye Fry Event in Houston

June 7

With Buck Creek Hatchery and the Houston Nature Centre, over 175 participants joined us to release more than 100 coho fry into the wild. A few days later, the rest were released, bringing the total to over 6,800 fry released this year. The event was the most well-attended to date!

Circle Navigating Around Lelu Island

June 13

Grade 7–9 students from École Cinq-Saumons joined us for a place-based workshop in Port Edward that included an unforgettable sea kayaking excursion around Lelu Island. As they paddled through the Skeena Estuary, students learned about the vital role of eelgrass meadows in Flora Bank- essential nursery and foraging grounds for juvenile salmon. Guided by local experts, students experienced firsthand how coastal ecosystems support salmon and marine biodiversity, deepening their understanding of the delicate connections between land, water, and wildlife.

Learn to Be in Nature Event

June 17

Despite the rain, the second annual Learn to Be in Nature event saw an incredible turnout of participants and community partners. We are deeply grateful to BC Parks LPP for their generous grant, which made this event possible. Their support helps us create opportunities for the Terrace community to explore local parks, gain outdoor skills, and foster deeper connections to nature and stewardship.

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our incredible partners who made this event such a success: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, FireSmart City of Terrace/Kitimat, Heritage Park Museum, Lakelse Lake Park Operators, Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), Skeena Diversity Society, Lakelse Watershed Stewards Society (LWSS), Terrace & District Aquatic Centre, Terrace Public Library, Terrace Search and Rescue (SAR), and Terrace Tourism. Your collaboration and dedication are key to creating this enriching, inclusive event for our community. Thank you!

And that was just June!

Our education team is gearing up for more camps and pop-up events this summer. There are still spots available for our Skeena Watershed Explorers 5-Day Camp for ages 10–16, which will be held August 11–15. The cost is $300. If financial barriers are a concern, bursaries are available—just email [email protected].

These educational events are made possible by the generous support of our funding partners and community donors. If you’d like to support salmon education in our region, you can donate to our Education Program below.