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What is Tsalila?
Tsalila (pronounced sa-LEE-la) is a year-round watershed education program based in the lower Umpqua River Basin in Reedsport, Oregon. The education effort is carried out by the Tsalila Partnership, a consortium of local, tribal, and federal governments and agencies. The Partnership’s mission is to “provide educational experiences that share an appreciation of salmon, the watersheds in which we live, and our cultural heritage, while contributing to the economic viability of the lower Umpqua River basin.”
A major component of the education program is an annual watershed Festival which has been held in September since 1997. The Festival is free and open to the public and includes pre-festival Education Days during which students in grades 2-5 visit a portion of the educational displays. Most of the displays are designed with a hands-on learning component that engages the children in an activity to improve their learning experience. Each year has seen additional and improved displays. In addition to students from the local Reedsport School District, students from other school districts from as far away as Coos Bay/North Bend (27 miles), Coquille (44 miles), Bandon (45 miles), Myrtle Point (53 miles), Sutherlin (65 miles), and Roseburg (73 miles) have attended the education days.
Education Days have been so popular with teachers for meeting their educational goals that they have been expanded from one day to three to allow more students to attend
The growth in attendance can be seen from the following figures.
|
Attendance |
Year |
Festival |
Education Days |
1997 |
2,000 |
- |
1998 |
2,500 |
Unavailable |
1999 |
3,000 |
Unavailable |
2000 |
4,000 |
<150 (1 ed. day) |
2001 |
4,000 |
250 (1 ed. day) |
2002 |
6,000 |
750 (1 ed. day) |
2003
2004
2005 |
6,500
5,000*
8,000 |
1,950 (2 ed. days)
2,000 (2 ed. days)
3,000 (3 ed. days) |
2006 |
8,000 |
2,600 (3 ed. days) |
2007 |
8,000 |
2,600 (3 ed. days) |
* heavy rain lowered attendance
The breadth of the Tsalila program is demonstrated in its mission statement and includes conservation, cultural, and economic components. Each of the partners takes the lead for their particular area of interest. The tribe is the primary coordinator for the cultural program, which included more than 10 displays and activities at this year’s event. The BLM and Forest Service are primarily responsible for the conservation education program and coordinated more than 20 displays and activities ranging from salmon, river and lake studies to historical logging, snowy plover conservation, and boating safety. The Chamber of Commerce coordinates the marketing aspects of the program, especially as it relates to area tourism. Chamber Ambassadors coordinate the festival’s salmon dinner along with the merchant village (arts and crafts vendors), creating a more complete festival atmosphere. The Umpqua Discovery Center’s mission is similar to Tsalila’s, so it opens its doors to the public during the festival. The school district provides leadership in making sure educational activities meet state learning standards for students.
“What’s especially important for me, as the mayor of Reedsport, is that the Tsalila conservation education programs help to develop a sense of ownership and investment in our area. I also believe that the various Tsalila programs help our young people and visitors to appreciate and understand Oregon’s unique natural and cultural heritage and encourages thoughtful participation regarding the future of our resources.” - Keith Tymchuk
“As a former educator, my spirits were lifted watching nearly 2,000 second through fifth grade students visit Tsalila. With schools at bare bones budgets, it was wonderful that their Tsalila Experience was free. I watched kids, parents, and teachers as they became involved in all the activities. Eyes sparkled and minds churned. Thanks need to go to all the sponsors, partners, exhibitors and helpers who made Tsalila a success. It is a major asset to our community and a wonderful education opportunity for all our children (and most of us adults).” - Barbara Mills, retired teacher of Reedsport Schools
The word Tsalila is borrowed from the name of a historic Native American fishing village that was on the banks of the Umpqua River, roughly where the Festival and Education Days are held now. Salmon represent the “circle of life” to the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians who believe that the salmon will return to the rivers each year if they are convinced that the People care about them. A traditional tribal prayer states: “As we honor the spirit of the salmon, the first people give thanks to the creator for informing us that the Earth is our first teacher. May humans learn to study and listen to our first teacher so we may all survive and together honor our Mother Earth’s gifts.” Salmon and healthy watersheds have been important to the people of the Pacific northwest yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Hosted by the Tsalila Partnership
For more information contact Mike Northrop (541) 271-1563
or email at mnorthrop@fs.fed.us |
