“I am extremely proud of this organization. I brag about them all over town. I can’t say enough about the dedicated staff. Everyone who works there is phenomenal and goes above and beyond and it really shows in the results of what they are doing.”
Kate Widmer is currently raising two daughters at home and has volunteered with the Long Tom Watershed Council since 2010. She has a background in Environmental Sciences with a double minor from Oregon State University in Environmental Health and Water Quality. Kate has been involved in many Long Tom Watershed Council projects but especially enjoyed tagging fish and educational outreach events. Kate has been involved with the Cutthroat Trout Migration Study since the beginning and has enjoyed it immensely.
Q&A Interview with Kate
What is your volunteer role with LTWC?
I’m a ‘jack of all trades’ volunteer, and I do whatever they need. I worked with the council about 13 years ago as a short contract person. Despite leaving to have my daughters, I always kept in contact with them and when my girls were old enough, I started volunteering again. It’s been a real pleasure getting back and working with them again.
Why did you choose to be part of LTWC?
My education and background is in Environmental Sciences. I have a double minor from Oregon State University in Environmental Health and Water Quality. My contract job with the Long Tom Watershed Council was directly out of college and I was working in water quality management with them doing the Water quality testing when they first started that program. I started out doing that and I’ve always had a passion for public health and environmental health. After the birth of my two little girls, I decided to stay with them and not go back into the work force. Being able to go back and support and organization that I think is so great has been amazing. I love what the Watershed Council does and what they stand for. Their projects are phenomenal and I think you can really see results and it’s really rewarding to be able to put in the hours and see and feel results from your hard work and efforts not only in the environment but in the people you reach out to as well. The watershed council is very rewarding for me.
What has been your favorite project?
I’ve spent probably the most time helping on the Cutthroat Trout Migration Study. Jed Kaul and I started working on that program together, and I was helping him from the very beginning because he and I trained at ODFW at the same time up in Corvallis. We learned how to start it, and then we kind of bumbled around the field until we figured it out. It was really fun to be part of a pilot project like that. Still being involved four years later has been great and to have a hand in that is really great. I’m really proud to say that I was part of it. I really like the education aspect of the council as well. I enjoy the tables they have at events, and I like helping out at the meetings when I can. It’s always a great way to meet people and there are so many people that I still know from 13 years ago who I am still doing work with. So, it’s great to have contacts in the community and the connections with other people is great.
What type of legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
On a personal note, I would want my girls to understand that even if they don’t work in an environmental field, they can have an environmental impact as a person in that community and that being involved is really important. I’m trying to pass on to them that whatever path they choose in life, they can be involved in their community and their environment and certainly have an impact in any way.
What do you think of LTWC as an organization?
I am extremely proud of this organization. I brag about them all over town. I can’t say enough about the dedicated staff. Everyone who works there is phenomenal and goes above and beyond and it really shows in the results of what they are doing. and I think when you look around the state at other organizations and compare, we are just top notch. I think their community involvement is super impressive. The amount of people they have involved in their goals and projects is high. People show up and want to work with them. I believe in what they believe in and in their goals and I think that they go about it the right way. The way they approach people and set reasonable goals for themselves that are attainable is impressive and shows positive reinforcement for future projects and future ideas.