Sierra Shoopman Discusses the Stream Team

In 1990, the governments of several counties throughout Washington State started Stream Team to engage citizens in bettering their communities. Local creeks benefited from the support and hands-on improvements of townspeople who participated in basin planning projects. Today, Stream Teams remain committed to enhancing the region’s water resources and wildlife habitats.

Since its creation, Stream Teams have provided people with numerous opportunities to volunteer and explore nature. Youth, civic, and religious groups get to learn about the environment while experiencing it up close. The organization runs amphibian, shorebird, and macroinvertebrate monitoring programs throughout the year while allowing individuals to act as stewards for various species of fish. Over the past 22 years, its volunteers have completed more than 45,000 hours of service and identified over 5,000 storm drains.

About the Author:

A recent graduate of the University of Washington, Sierra Shoopman majored in biology and minored in chemistry. During her spare time, Shoopman beautified her community by participating with the Thurston County Stream Team, restored stream habitats, and marked storm water drains.