Partnering with the Gorge Ecology Institute, we will travel on foot, bike, and raft from the headwaters of the Hood River at Eliot Glacier on Mt. Hood, all the way to the mouth of the Hood River as it merges with the great Columbia. All along the journey, student will be engaged in understanding not only the natural functions of the watershed and human impacts on it, but will also gain a deep understanding of the human interactions and intricate relationships that weave between the human and natural communities. We will meet with several experts along the way, possibly including a climatologist, a glaciologist, representatives from the Warm Springs tribe, US Fish and Wildlife scientists, and forest service employees working on stream/salmon habitat restoration. We will camp along the way (students don’t need special experience, and we can loan equipment such as backpacks and tents if necessary).

This trip is open to High School and graduating 8th grade students from Catlin Gabel AND local high school from the Columbia River Gorge—especially those interested in biology, ecology, public policy, forestry, Native American culture/rights, climate change issues, and geology.

The estimated cost of this trip is $525.  Financial Aid is available.  Interested students should email David Zonana (zonanad@catlin.edu).