Introducing Watershed Watch’s summer staff

June 19, 2024

By: Dene Moore

Summer is a wonderful time of the year. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the summer students arrive in workplaces across the land, their smiling faces ready to offer vacation relief to the harried full-time workforce.

We are THRILLED to welcome Stephanie and Emma to Watershed Watch Salmon Society for the summer. To get to know them better, we asked them a few questions about themselves.

Name: Emma Jackson

Where do you live?

100 Mile House, B.C.

What is a hobby you enjoy?

My favourite hobbies are probably writing, reading, photography and playing video games.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

I worked at Dairy Queen for two years as my first official job. There I learned a lot about working as a team with my co-workers during hard times, since I started during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Why work at Watershed Watch?

I was interested in working somewhere that could teach me valuable skills when it comes to a variety of issues, including environmental hazards. I am studying Sociology in college and one of the things we look over is environmental issues and wildlife populations plummeting for various reasons. 

What do you look forward to doing this summer working for Watershed Watch?

I look forward to being able to understand more about the wild salmon population and hope to be able to help make a change to protect wildlife.

And what is one thing you hope to do during your off-time this summer?

One of the main things I want to do during my off-time is to just spend time with friends. My best friend and I often enjoy drives through the mountains, and we like to explore new places we haven’t been to before around the area.

Favourite factoid about salmon or steelhead?

One of my favourite facts is that salmon can change colour. I love seeing photos of what they look like during their juvenile years, compared to their adult years.

Do you have a favourite fishing spot?

I haven’t been fishing since I was five years old while I was houseboating with my grandfather, who worked in a fishery. I would just watch my friends fish around Green Lake. That has always been a gorgeous area to be around in general. 

What inspires you?

My family. We have struggled throughout the last four years with losses and hardships, but they have all persevered. They are some of the strongest people I know and have supported me through everything. 

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

I plan to work as a mental health counsellor, guidance counsellor at a high school, or a social worker. I want to be able to help make positive changes to a person’s life, like many counselors and high school staff did for me.

Name: Stephanie Stelmaschuk

Where do you live: 

Burnaby, B.C.

What is a hobby you enjoy? 

Hiking. I love getting out and exploring nature. 

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? 

I worked at Superstore as a cashier when I was 17. It taught me how to work under pressure (especially when we got crazy busy before holidays), and was my first introduction to working with the public, and the joys and challenges that can present. 

Why work at Watershed Watch? 

I think the work Watershed Watch is doing is extremely important. I think working with them is going to be a great way to put my experience in the environmental field to use, and have some fun connecting with the community at the same time. 

What do you look forward to doing this summer working for Watershed Watch? 

I’m looking forward to getting involved with my community and helping save some salmon! 

And what is one thing you hope to do during your off-time this summer?

Definitely cross some hikes off my to-do list. Maybe Needle Peak or Cheam Peak. 

Favourite factoid about salmon or steelhead? 

Salmon can use their sense of smell to navigate back to where they were born. 

Do you have a favourite fishing spot? 

Sunshine Valley. It’s a place where my family had a cabin when I was growing up and I’d go fishing with my dad. 

What inspires you? 

Being around people who are passionate about what they do. I feel like when I talk to people who are passionate about their careers or hobbies, that enthusiasm just rubs off. 

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? 

I want to use my skills and talents to make a positive impact. Whether that be through actions, or by spreading knowledge.

Share This Story!

Introducing Watershed Watch’s summer staff

June 19, 2024

By: Dene Moore

Summer is a wonderful time of the year. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the summer students arrive in workplaces across the land, their smiling faces ready to offer vacation relief to the harried full-time workforce.

We are THRILLED to welcome Stephanie and Emma to Watershed Watch Salmon Society for the summer. To get to know them better, we asked them a few questions about themselves.

Name: Emma Jackson

Where do you live?

100 Mile House, B.C.

What is a hobby you enjoy?

My favourite hobbies are probably writing, reading, photography and playing video games.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

I worked at Dairy Queen for two years as my first official job. There I learned a lot about working as a team with my co-workers during hard times, since I started during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Why work at Watershed Watch?

I was interested in working somewhere that could teach me valuable skills when it comes to a variety of issues, including environmental hazards. I am studying Sociology in college and one of the things we look over is environmental issues and wildlife populations plummeting for various reasons. 

What do you look forward to doing this summer working for Watershed Watch?

I look forward to being able to understand more about the wild salmon population and hope to be able to help make a change to protect wildlife.

And what is one thing you hope to do during your off-time this summer?

One of the main things I want to do during my off-time is to just spend time with friends. My best friend and I often enjoy drives through the mountains, and we like to explore new places we haven’t been to before around the area.

Favourite factoid about salmon or steelhead?

One of my favourite facts is that salmon can change colour. I love seeing photos of what they look like during their juvenile years, compared to their adult years.

Do you have a favourite fishing spot?

I haven’t been fishing since I was five years old while I was houseboating with my grandfather, who worked in a fishery. I would just watch my friends fish around Green Lake. That has always been a gorgeous area to be around in general. 

What inspires you?

My family. We have struggled throughout the last four years with losses and hardships, but they have all persevered. They are some of the strongest people I know and have supported me through everything. 

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

I plan to work as a mental health counsellor, guidance counsellor at a high school, or a social worker. I want to be able to help make positive changes to a person’s life, like many counselors and high school staff did for me.

Name: Stephanie Stelmaschuk

Where do you live: 

Burnaby, B.C.

What is a hobby you enjoy? 

Hiking. I love getting out and exploring nature. 

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? 

I worked at Superstore as a cashier when I was 17. It taught me how to work under pressure (especially when we got crazy busy before holidays), and was my first introduction to working with the public, and the joys and challenges that can present. 

Why work at Watershed Watch? 

I think the work Watershed Watch is doing is extremely important. I think working with them is going to be a great way to put my experience in the environmental field to use, and have some fun connecting with the community at the same time. 

What do you look forward to doing this summer working for Watershed Watch? 

I’m looking forward to getting involved with my community and helping save some salmon! 

And what is one thing you hope to do during your off-time this summer?

Definitely cross some hikes off my to-do list. Maybe Needle Peak or Cheam Peak. 

Favourite factoid about salmon or steelhead? 

Salmon can use their sense of smell to navigate back to where they were born. 

Do you have a favourite fishing spot? 

Sunshine Valley. It’s a place where my family had a cabin when I was growing up and I’d go fishing with my dad. 

What inspires you? 

Being around people who are passionate about what they do. I feel like when I talk to people who are passionate about their careers or hobbies, that enthusiasm just rubs off. 

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? 

I want to use my skills and talents to make a positive impact. Whether that be through actions, or by spreading knowledge.

Share This Story!

Stand with us to defend wild Pacific salmon

Stand with us to defend wild Pacific salmon

Click here to go to the Watershed Watch Merch Store

Leave A Comment

Related Posts