This school-based program brings classrooms out to local waterways for hands-on scientific exploration. Students conduct both qualitative and quantitative observations of their local aquatic environment, using Water Rangers equipment made possible through dedicated funding support.

At the heart of the program is the deep relationship between salmon, the Lil’wat people, and the interconnected web of lakes, rivers, and ocean that sustains them. Elders will share traditional stories, including the Copper Canoe, that trace the journey of salmon from the ocean to the waterways of Lil’wat territory, illuminating teachings passed down through generations.

Salmon are an essential food source for the Lil’wat people, and while Lil’wat territory is not geographically close to the ocean, this program highlights the profound and enduring connection that exists through the salmon themselves. By weaving together scientific observation and Indigenous knowledge, students gain a richer understanding of how local waterways are part of a much larger living system.