Imagine the morning after the first snow in colorado, you arrive to work as the mist is rising off the water. Water temp 51, air temperature below freezing, but warming. No wind, you’re thankful, but don’t mention anything for superstitious fear of invoking it.

The short boat ride down the coast, placid.

This morning you’re joined by some homeschool kids and their Mom; a little apprehensive, definitely curious, happy to jump in and help.

I have to wonder what is going through these guys heads - why do they offer this volunteer opportunity?

Perhaps the answer is multi-faceted, like so many thing are. I see that they are public servants and it is their duty; both to educate and inform the people, so perhaps we fit under ‘education’

But, also they strive to benefit the animals and the ecosystems. Perhaps, in children they see the preservation of the wild ~ or at least as close to it as we are able to hold onto here.

Perhaps they hope for a kinship and a better way forward.

Perhaps it is kindness.


Here’s a little video clip I made about what we observed and how we were able to help…



Edit added 8/2/23

We had the good fortune to take part in a day in the life of a fisheries wildlife biologist as volunteers. A lot of folks have since asked me, how. I’d say it was one part being prepared for freezing weather on a lake in late October and 1 part luck. Sometimes the Department of Wildlife needs an extra hand or two. Honestly, most of the folks we encountered up here are hardy folk; as the task is hard, cold work. I think your odds are much more likely if you show up regularly and form relations. It seems to be how most of the volunteers did it.


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