<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}P1000656_1.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 206px;" />Well&nbsp; I have been back in the great white north for a few weeks now and have had some time to reflect on the environmental education internship at Au Sable. It&#39;s good to be home!</p>
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	My internship experience has taught me a lot of things. The first being that I say &#39;eh&#39; or &#39;hey&#39; more than I think. I&#39;ve started to notice it in the way my family and friends talk too! But on a more serious note, I&#39;ve learned that I enjoy teaching , love the outdoors even more, and how much there is to learn in my own back yard! I&#39;ve been more encouraged to discover more about the history of the area I live in as well as some of the &#39;neatness&#39; of nature around me!</p>
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	I find myself pulling things from the internship experience and applying it to things I do in my own neighborhood. Whether it be bringing along a plant identification book on walks or discussing teaching methods with my mother (who is a grade 2 teacher) or appreciating the little things in life like an oven or a light bulb.</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}P1000720_1.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 204px;" /></p>
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	The other day I took a bike ride to a park close to my house. Peering over the edge of a brand new bridge (still under construction) and into the stream below I saw large Chinook salmon on their spawning run. I wonder how many people in the area even know that there are fish in this stream and if so do they even care? Questions started to ring in my mind - how can I help others appreciate nature? How can we ensure a balance between development and stewardship?&nbsp;</p>
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	Another thought that struck me- how was it that I knew about the salmon runs? I can remember my parents taking me and my siblings on walks almost every Sunday - we would go outside, experience, feel, and just be outside! I can confidently say this has fostered my love for the outdoors.</p>
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	Teaching at Au Sable as unlocked a few ideas and views on some things&nbsp; for me. And has also reaffirmed for me the importance of nature, understanding &nbsp;how much we impact it, how much we still don&#39;t know, and how important it is to get out there - both young and old!</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}P1000657_1.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 199px;" /></p>
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	I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that God is faithful&nbsp; and He has the whole world in his hands. Even the spawning salmon. &nbsp;I just hope and pray we don&#39;t forget that - and at the same time act like the stewards He calls us to be.</p>
