Bringing refuge to the community

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge focuses on strengthening education program

OTHELLO — Hanging above AmeriCorps volunteer member Kathy Young's desk is a map of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

The map doesn't do justice to the 30,000 acres of land the refuge occupies with its various landscapes and animal species.

There are jagged cliffs, canyons and stream systems formed thousands of years ago by the ice age floods and other extreme weather conditions. Various shrub communities house rare plant species and provide nesting sites for snakes and migratory birds.

All this and more is right in the backyard of many families who reside in and around the Columbia Basin, and don't realize it's there.

"They have no idea something this scenic and natural is close to home," Young said.

As part of her 101/2 month assignment with Americorps, Young works in the Refuge Education program in conjunction with the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and the Central Basin Audubon Society.

Her job is to make classroom presentations and give refuge tours to students and community groups who call her office.

Young's interest in the outdoors has been a lifelong passion as she recalls outdoor hiking and camping trips with her family as a child.

She said she has a desire to help protect those resources which she enjoyed growing up, for future generations.

Since coming to work at the refuge office in Othello, Young's desire has been to raise community awareness about the refuge and ensure it is being used as an educational tool to teach students.

Family trips to the refuge may only take place if it is of interest to the parents, otherwise the Refuge Education program is their only means of knowing about it, Young said.

Young has also been working on updating slide show presentations and creating tour guide resources to be used on guided tours of the refuge.

Expanding the education program into Moses Lake and surrounding areas was another reason Young's position was created.

Even if students are not planning to pursue a career in the environmental field, Young thinks it is important to give students the exposure to the natural habitat around them so they are aware it exists.

The Refuge Education program is rare because not many other agencies offer similar programs.

"It's important to learn about the local habitat and what's outside their front door," Young said.