October 2024 Newsletter
Restore the Pond - Giving Tuesday: November 19th – December 3rd
The pond, the beloved centerpiece of Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES), lost its permanent water source after the 2018 Carr Fire. This reduced it to a seasonal pond with limited usability.
Pond in the early 70s
For over 50 years, the pond played a key role in environmental education at WES. Every year, thousands of students were able to get their hands and feet wet in this living laboratory. Restoring the pond is critical to the student experience at WES, showcasing a healthy, biologically diverse freshwater ecosystem at the heart of the campus.
Our Giving Tuesday goal is to raise $25,000 in order to begin Phase I of the pond restoration project. With your help, and the support of other generous individuals, businesses, and foundations, we can ensure that future generations of Shasta County students and teachers can continue to Make a Splash in the Pond!
The Community Foundation of the North State coordinates Giving Tuesday in five Northern California Counties. The 2024 online event goes live on November 19th at 6 AM and culminates with an all day celebration on December 3rd, ending at 8 PM. Inspire friends and family to “Make a Splash” and give together on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Online Giving
Starts November 19th - Get inspired: northstategives.orgOffline Giving
Save the 5% fee and write a check. Your gift is included in the total amount raised. Make your check payable to: WES Community, PO Box 3, Whiskeytown, CA 96095
Be sure to write “Giving Tuesday” on the memo line.Become a Business Sponsor
Local business leaders are invited to provide gifts for “Make a Splash: Restore the Pond.” Sponsor gifts can inspire online donors by matching their support. Contact Kathy Hill, WES Community Board Treasurer at info@wescommunity.org or (530) 945-6585
Amphitheater Rehabilitation
The 2023 Giving Project was the New Act for the Amphitheater. Numerous individuals and businesses opened their hearts and wallets to get this project funded. Our local Rotary clubs pledged labor, expertise, and equipment to assist with the project. Design services, and environmental compliance have been provided by the National Park Service. It’s a team effort and the project has started! The first phase, demolition of the existing structure, pavement removal, and dead tree removal is expected to be completed by the end of October. Rotarian Hayden Oilar, Oiler Land Management, is donating the demolition expertise and equipment to this phase of the project.
Fall Field Trips at WES
Field Labs are continuing for the 2024-2025 school year! This K-8 option gives teachers and students the opportunity to get back to the WES campus for day-time field trips and hands-on learning. Field Labs are part of the Shasta County Office of Education's resolve to return children to WES as soon as possible after programming was interrupted by the Carr Fire in 2018. Teachers are encouraged to sign up for the day Field Labs online by visiting the SCOE website! Teacher, Sign Up Here →
Photo Credit: Sara Hoxie
WES Naturalist Will “Moose” Hoxie’s Impact at WES
Will “Moose” Hoxie— son, brother, friend, athlete, outdoor educator, rafting guide, world traveler, kayaker, firefighter, musician, songwriter—loved and was loved by the staff and students at Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES).
Will grew up in a river-loving, adventure-seeking, musical family. Parents Sara and Glenn Hoxie are outdoor educators, and Will developed a curiosity about the natural world early in life. Will’s passion for recreation led him to travel near and far in search of adventure. He visited rivers in Oregon, Idaho, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, as well as South America; he participated in kayaking competitions and studied the environment. On June 14, 2023, Will was in a kayaking accident on the Kern River and passed away at the age of 25. “He lived a whole life in 25 years,” said his mom, Sara.
Will connected with Whiskeytown Environmental School when he became a naturalist in 2019. After the 2018 Carr Fire closed programs at WES, Will transitioned to the last overnight program (Spring 2019) at a rented camp east of Redding. As a naturalist, Will was known for his humor, guitar skills, and ability to connect with kids. “He could teach anything,” said Sara. “He was curious, passionate, and good at explaining things; he was a better teacher than I ever was.”
The William J. Hoxie Foundation is launching to support Will’s passions and provide funding to organizations he loved. The Whiskeytown Environmental School Community has received a generous check from the Foundation this fall towards the “Grow Back Stronger” campaign.
“Will knew there were a lot of things that could save the planet—and he knew that education was essential, Sara said. “If kids grow up with a love for the outdoors, and can work together to solve problems, that’s a huge investment in our planet. Will would want to support the rebuilding of Whiskeytown Environmental school with a gift to WES Community.” WES Community is honored to receive this beautiful gift in Will’s memory.
Wild fire season is still here!
It’s the time of year when weather conditions bounce between summer and cooler weather. We are all looking forward to the change in season with drenching downpours. Until then, be prepared, wildfire can occur at any time. Make a Plan and create an Emergency Kit. Let’s all be safe!
