Life is good for the juniors and seniors at Taholah high school. As we partner with the University of Washington to study the Hypoxia levels off shore in the Pacific Coast. “Our kids have no idea how lucky they are.” says, Jerry Walthers.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this term the 1st period and 3rd period students at Taholah High School that are enrolled in Ocean and Marine wildlife are in the “Field” testing hypoxia levels off the coast. Hypoxia, simply put is a depletion of oxygen. But, when oxygen levels deplete, the effects can be devastating for the ecosystem. Crabbing, fishing, and clams play a huge role in the economy and hypoxia is affecting these fisheries. The University of Washignton wants to know why, when, where and how. Well, that’s where Jerry Walthers and his CTE students step in.
The Taholah High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes are involved with numerous studies with many organizations. Some of the organizations Taholah High School is working with are as follows:
- Quinault Indian Nation
- Quinault Nation Department of Resources
- University of Washington
- University of Oregon
- Western Washington University
- North West Indian College
- The Ocean Observation Initiative
- University of Connecitcut, NOAH
- Blue Water Task Force
- Inter Tribal Timer Council
The Ocean Marine classes are working side by side with scientist from the Quinault Indian Nation of Marine Fisheries.
Taholah High School in partnership with QIN department of marine fisheries has six sites that we are taking measurements from twice a week. This is in cooperation with Joe Schumacker and made possible through a sea grant. “Students working with us are learning about the impact of seasonal hypoxia,” says, Joe Schumaker. Students use a wand or YSI to take readings on salinity, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature. The students are recording as they go from site to site. When students return to class they enter the data in a computer based data collection system. The data is shared with the NANOOK site for other interested groups.
Taholah CTE classes are also involved in a scientific study on razor clams. This study is in partnership with QIN to sustain the clam population off the pacific coast. QIN has placed sites for the students here to view and monitor sea life as well. “Our kids get to monitor sea life on the Rocky Reef and at Point Grenville,” Jerry Walthers stated.
It doesn’t stop there! The University of Washington is working on a 300 foot research vessel of the coast. The Mega Expedition on the R/V Thomson and they’ve saved a bunk for Robert Needum, a senior at Taholah. This is a life changing experience for Robert. As he spends 10 days at sea. His voyage will take place October 9-19th. Robert will be working right along the researchers from U of W, OSU, and Germany. These scientists will be traveling to the Cascade Margin Gas Hydrates Reservoir along the Upper Continental Slope. Robert will be reporting back to our school via Skype. Student leadership here at Taholah will be organizing whole school events to watch Robert at sea and learn from his experience.
Even MORE!
Taholah High School CTE has been also been given a 65 acre patricidal of land by the QIN. The location is just 1 mile from our campus. The land is used for an outdoor classroom. Trails are being cut and classes are identifying plants, shrubs, trees, mushrooms, animals, birds and insects. The CTE class is working on revamping their frameworks for the Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Ocean Marine, Wetlands, Landscaping and Environmental protection classes. Our goal is to make our kids ready to transition into the workforce, and we have a great opportunity here. To make this work, we are in need of donations to build onto our outdoor classroom. We are also in need of supplies for the 65 acre site. Great things are happening and will continue to happen here at Taholah.
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