Pacific Region Fisheries Resources Program

Youth and the Great Outdoors and Connecting People With Nature

Welcome

The Pacific Region Fisheries Program (Program) is highly engaged in implementing the Secretary's Youth and the Great Outdoors (YGO) Initiative, which employs, educates, and engages young people from all backgrounds in exploring, connecting with and preserving America's natural and cultural heritage. Our goal is to ensure that America's citizenry, particularly its youth, remains connected to and engaged with nature, and to promote natural resource conservation throughout all fishery programs within the Pacific Region.

All 26 of our Program's facilities lead or support Youth in the Great Outdoors activities: in fiscal year 2010, an estimated 258,835 children and adults visited our Hatcheries, Fish Health Centers, Fish Technology Center, and Fishery Resources Offices, or participated in the more than 1,400 Fisheries activities or events we were involved with.

Our Outreach and Education programs create and present high quality education and information for the public, to share the cultural significance of fish to the peoples of the west. People of all ages are excited and eager to learn about nature. Learning is not limited to children, classrooms and books. Teachers are finding that our fish biologists, fish culturists, and managers are unlocking the gates and opening their doors to learning about our aquatic resources. Our "Information and Education" programs are assisting educators in meeting their required state environmental education mandates.

	Featured project: Salmon in the Classroom In January, chinook salmon eggs from Willard NFH were delivered to Boise-Eliot/Humboldt and Chief Joseph/Ockley Green elementary schools. The students there are watching the eyed eggs hatch and develop into fry. FWS staff have 3 lessons scheduled in the classroom before the students release the fish into Drano Lake. Read more...
	Go Outside! Outdoor Activities in and around Portland, Oregon Kid-Friendly Outdoor Activites 50 Places to go Fishing with 60 Minutes of Portland
	Learn more about our field station's I&E efforts The Pacific Region Fisheries Outreach Team is comprised of Information and Education Specialists throughout the Region. The leaders on this team are located at: Dworshak NFH Complex, Lower Columbia River National Fish Hatcheries, Columbia River Fisheries Program Office and Leavenworth NFH Complex.
	Resources: NEW! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide Pacific Lamprey learning and activity book Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book Biologist in Training - A guide to exploring and understanding fish and their habitats Freshwater Mussel Activity Book and Learning Resource Publication List and Ordering Form
	Department of the Interior Youth and the Great Outdoors Initiative: Find out how the Service and other Interior agencies are working to educate, engage, and employ the nation's youth and citizenry
	See what the Service and other organizations are doing to connect youth with the outdoors: Learn about the Service's Let's Go Outside! Initiative: Visit the Children and Nature Network: