Yukon Delta Refuge: Kwethluk River Science Camp

Project NameKwethluk River Science Camp
Project Number181
LocationKwethluk River (Bethel)
DatesJuly 19-29, 2009
Duration
Number of Volunteers Needed FILLED
DescriptionThe purpose for the Kwethluk River Science Camp is to pique the interest of students in natural resource management and field biology; to inform students of employment and post-secondary education opportunities; to identify and evaluate students for internships opportunities and finally to inform students of the research being conducted on the Kwethluk River and encourage them to share the information they have learned with their local communities.

The Science Camp will consist of 8 to 12 students/interns from Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD) high schools and 4 to 6 staff members. The students and staff members from Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) and FANWR will start near the headwaters of the Kwethluk River at Boundary Lake. The Crew will spend a total of seven days on the river, first floating in rafts then jet-boating their way downriver returning to Bethel. Students’ interest in biology and resource management will be fostered through hands-on learning and discussions.

Topics include: river geomorphology; Pacific salmon identification, ecology and life history; ecological processes that influence bio-productivity and biodiversity throughout the floodplain and how salmon play a major role in these processes; habitat preferences of juvenile salmon, trout, and other native fish species; the role of insects in fish biology; riparian plant ecology; small mammal inventory; and the uses of radio- telemetry for the study of wildlife. After floating downstream for 4 to 5 days the Crew will then spend time at the FLBS research camp.

Researchers there will conduct training and detailed specimen collections and habitat measurements with the students. The final stage of the journey will be downstream to the Kwethluk fish counting weir operated by the Kenai Fish and Wildlife Field Office (KFWFO). Here biologists will explain how the weir functions and the importance of the information collected for management of a healthy fishery for future use. The students will also participate in collecting age, sex and length data from returning salmon.