Community Bursary Spotlight: Samantha Rhodes
PSF’s Stewardship Community Bursary program awards multiple $2,500 bursaries every year to post-secondary students in B.C. and the Yukon who are pursuing a career related to Pacific salmon.
Eligible applicants must be residents of B.C. or the Yukon, show financial need, and be enrolled full-time (second year and above) in a university or college program connected to Pacific salmon. Preference is given to those with experience in streamkeeper or stewardship groups, hatcheries, or related organizations.
Are you a student passionate about salmon conservation and restoration? Apply online today! Applications close soon on Oct. 30, 2024.
Samantha Rhodes, a volunteer with West Vancouver Streamkeepers and M.Sc. candidate at the University of British Columbia, is a 2023-2024 Stewardship Community Bursary recipient.
Read Samantha’s Q&A below.
Why do Pacific salmon matter to you?
Growing up on the North Shore of Vancouver, I developed a love for the ocean and forests near my house and the species within them. To me, salmon demonstrate the interconnectedness of all systems. As travellers between terrestrial and aquatic environments and as food for bears and whales alike, salmon show how each piece of the puzzle is significant and purposeful. Salmon inspire people to connect with and act for the environment.
What inspired you to study salmon and aquatic conservation?
My love for ocean and forest environments led me to study conservation science. As an undergraduate, I saw knowledge gaps as opportunities for exploration. This inspired me to pursue a Master’s of Science in partnership with Raincoast at UBC, allowing me to conduct research and contribute to the knowledge base. Currently, I am investigating the downstream migration of juvenile sockeye salmon and their estuary habitat use.
What did you accomplish and learn as a volunteer streamkeeper?
For the past five years, I have enjoyed volunteering with the West Vancouver Streamkeepers, where I have surveyed returning adult salmon and conducted creek walks. As a spawner surveyor, I count the number of returning salmon during their fall migration and record data on stream conditions, like water levels and temperature. I’ve seen the resilience of salmon while migrating upstream to spawn, fighting low or high waters and barriers to passage.
How has the PSF bursary supported you?
PSF’s bursary has given me the space to think critically about my research and invest in building the knowledge base about a species I care deeply for. This support has allowed me to dive deeper into my academic studies and pursue my dream of becoming a scientist.
What advice would you give other students considering salmon conservation as a career?
I encourage students to connect with their local streams by joining a local streamkeeper group. Seeing the science firsthand, including the impact of large-scale processes on your backyard, is powerful. This personal connection can fuel your goals in conservation and support you throughout your career.
