Spring has arrived, bringing longer days, warmer weather, and fresh energy to the Watershed Watch Salmon Society team! Each year, we look forward to welcoming new summer staff members who bring their enthusiasm, skills, and curiosity to our work defending wild salmon and healthy watersheds.

This year, we’re excited to introduce Sean Cooper, who is joining the team as our Outreach and Engagement Assistant. To help you get to know him a little better, we asked a few questions about who he is and what drew him to Watershed Watch.

Where do you live?

Port Coquitlam

What is a hobby you enjoy?

I really enjoy birdwatching. I find it relaxing, but also exciting when I see rare species or a species I’ve never seen before.

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

My first job was at a pet retail store, where I gained many new skills. The most significant was improving my communication skills, as the position required me to interact with customers regularly.

Why work at Watershed Watch?

As an aspiring environmental scientist with a passion for conservation, participating in Watershed Watch’s work protecting British Columbia’s wild salmon populations aligns closely with my values, interests, and professional goals.

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

I am excited to learn more about the importance of Pacific salmon, the environmental challenges facing them, and what actions we can take to protect these vital keystone species. I also look forward to connecting with the community and sharing information about wild salmon conservation.

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

This summer, I hope to explore many of the Lower Mainland’s popular parks and natural spaces that I have yet to visit.

Favourite factoid about salmon or steelhead?

I find it interesting that chinook salmon are the most energy-dense species of Pacific salmon in B.C., and this is a key reason why Southern Resident Killer Whales primarily feed on this species rather than the others.

Do you have a favourite fishing spot?

While I don’t fish much anymore, I enjoyed fishing on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake during my childhood.

What inspires you?

Having volunteered with a variety of stewardship groups and worked as an organizer for one of the largest environmental festivals in the Lower Mainland, I have seen firsthand that there are a great many local organizations dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability in our communities. Seeing this dedication from so many groups and individuals is one of my main sources of inspiration for getting involved in environmental stewardship.

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

I plan to enjoy it by spending as much of my personal life as possible having fun with the people I care about, as well as dedicating my career to protecting and restoring the environment. If I manage to do these two things, I think that would be a life well-spent.