DIPAC would like to thank the special volunteers this last summer and fall who contributed greatly in helping us promote our public education programs.
First and foremost, our annual fall salmon education program was a great success. A record number of 2,252 students and adults, representing 82 school classes, visited the Ladd Macaulay Visitor Center from Sept. 26 – Nov. 2. We sincerely thank the following community members for helping make our program so successful: Casey Debenham, Cathy Mattson, Janet Henderson, Ben Ng, Kayla Simpson, Kylee Goehring, Mark and Betty Johnson, and Terry and John Lasky. University of Alaska students Ashley Bolwerk, Matt Callahan, Emma Hopkins, Kadden Reddekopp, Karly Stahl, Ana-Christine Tafoya, and Laura Verkade also provided great assistance with our classes and education outreach. Lecia Kahklen of the Juneau School District made it possible to spread the word to interested teachers. All the teachers, parents and other adult volunteers were much appreciated for their help guiding students in the activities and providing transportation. Thanks too to First Student for providing bus transportation for various classes.
Equally appreciated are our student and community volunteers who helped collect specimens and maintain our aquariums and touch tanks: George Bonnett, Tony Byford, Hayden Chartier, Casey Debenham, Doug Duncan and his UAF research crew, Greg Gallant, Don Greenberg, Mike Kirchner, Jake Lewis, Ken Smith, and Owen Squires. Opportunities for some of our student volunteers were provided through cooperative partnerships with Juneau-Douglas and Yaakoosge Daakahidi high schools, for which we are most appreciative. Ongoing assistance for volunteers has also been provided through a cooperative partnership with REACH.
We welcome volunteers who would like to assist with our ongoing education and community outreach programs and aquarium collection and maintenance activities. For further information, contact Rich Mattson at 463-1630 or email at rich_mattson@dipac.net.
Rich Mattson, Aquarium Manager/Education Coordinator
Katie Harms, Tourism Manager
