DIPAC would like to thank the special volunteers this last summer and fall who contributed greatly in helping us promote our public education community outreach programs.
First and foremost, our annual fall salmon education program was a great success! A total of 2,026 students and adults, representing 73 school classes, visited the Ladd Macaulay Visitor Center from September 7 to November 1. We sincerely thank the following community members for helping make our program so successful: George Bonnett, Don Greenberg, Andrew Eller, Lee & Tracy Ferguson, Mark and Betty Johnson, Louise Kunz-Tadda, Terry Lasky, Colin Marquis, Mo Michels, Maddy and Pam Roemeling, Carol Sewill, and Darren Snyder. University of Alaska students Katie Beauto, Taylor Brooks, Casey McConnell, Dan Michrowski, Ali Rinaldi, and Ana-Christine Tafoya also provided great assistance with our classes and education outreach. Maraiya Gentili, 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: Katie Beauto, George Bonnett, Cassious English, Jake Lewis, Debbie Martin, Lori Martison, Theresa Mattson, Austin Mayer, Owen Squires, Ana-Christine Tafoya, Roger Vallion, Quaid Vinje, and Aaron Woodrow. Specimens were also provided by the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute and Sitka Sound Science Center. 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. On-going 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, 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
