Featured Partner: Papa Bear Adventures
Some people just dream, and some people find a way to make their dreams become a reality. Aaron Osantoski and Justin Essian are certainly in the latter category. Three years ago these boyhood friends from Michigan bought Papa Bear Adventures, an outfitter operating out of Bethel, Alaska. Papa Bear flies anglers out to nine amazing rivers in western Alaska, outfits them with rafts, camping gear, and safety supplies, and sends them on their way. Roughly 7-14 days and many river miles later, Papa Bear picks up the group after what is generally the trip of a lifetime.
Science on the Fly is super excited to be partnering with Papa Bear Adventures, enlisting some of their clients to collect water quality samples as they float down these remarkable and vulnerable rivers.
We sat down with Aaron and Justin to learn more about their backgrounds, their business, and their reasons for supporting Science on the Fly.
What is your story and where did your passion for climate-friendliness and protecting your watershed come from? Who are you? What do you do?
JUSTIN: Growing up in Michigan, my mom instilled respect for nature at a young age which set the stage for where I am today. After obtaining my commercial pilots license, I decided that I needed an adventure in Alaska. That “adventure” turned into 11 years and counting. I currently co-own and operate a fishing and hunting adventure company in Bethel, Alaska with my best friend. The longer I’m here in Alaska, the more I understand that rivers are king. Doing our part to understand the rivers and help keeping them clean is vital.
AARON: Having grown up in the thumb of Michigan I was surrounded by the great outdoors. At an early age I learned how to respect and cherish what the world's largest supply of surface freshwater had to offer. Spending the majority of my childhood on the Great Lakes fishing and boating showed me just how fragile mother nature could really be. Dealing with invasive species like zebra mussels, sea lampreys, and gobies, you come to realize how just one small organism can affect the total ecosystem.
I am co-owner of Papa Bear Adventures in Western Alaska. Papa Bear is an outfitting company based in Bethel, AK. We operate on nine different watersheds with some of the most pristine and pure freshwater systems in the world.
What is in your ‘backyard’? What is your local watershed/river and what significance does it have for your local economy?
JUSTIN: Bethel, located in South Western Alaska, resides on the Kuskokwim River roughly 60 miles north of the Bering Sea. The Kuskokwim River is the life source for roughly 20 villages that are located on the river or associated drainages. Our community relies heavily on the river for subsistence fishing. The Kuskokwim River is the life source of South Western Alaska.
AARON: Our 'backyard' consists of Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta, along with the neighboring Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Bethel is situated on the mighty Kuskokwim River that empties into the Bering Sea. This silty river is fed by five of the freshwater drainages that Papa Bears offers service to for its clients. "The Kusko" as it is referred to locally, is a vital source to many of the lives that live on or near the river system. Not only does it supply plentiful food in the form of fish but also provides drinking water as well as a transportation system between villages.
Why do you feel it is important to contribute to the research of your watershed health? What is this research going to tell us about our future and the actionable steps that are needed?
JUSTIN: Humans are reactionary. We wait to make change after it’s too late. I feel like we have a unique opportunity to be preventative by helping obtain samples of our rivers. We can monitor their health almost in real time and if we notice change, we will have the data to back us up. The communities of South Western Alaska depend heavily on the health of the Kuskokwim watershed and I know obtaining samples is a great start to keeping it healthy.
AARON: In order to preserve this major water system, we need the research done by SOTF to keep an eye on changes now, and in the future. The data that we receive now will be a starting point to the future conservation of this major water system.
How can we inspire more people to give a dam about creating or enforcing policies focused on watershed health and/or climate change? What is its importance to you?
JUSTIN: Be passionate. When others see the effort and enthusiasm, how could one not feel inspired. I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy the rivers the same way I do now.
AARON: For every living creature, water is essential. Thousands of lives depend on this particular water system, and billions of lives rely on other freshwater sources. The water quality and sustainability is something that must be monitored and protected. This is so important to me because there must be a sustainable water supply for us now, and for future generations to come.
Since joining SOTF, have you observed your watershed differently? If so, how? Is there anything you are doing differently as a guide, angler and environmental conservationist to help further protect your watershed?
JUSTIN: As an avid outdoorsmen, nature is an important part of my life. SOTF has helped refine my views on river health and preservation. I plan to inspire other outdoorsmen through my business and personal life by setting the example.
AARON: Becoming part of the SOTF team has reminded me of where I grew up, and how that water sourced has changed dramatically over the years in so many ways. It not only affected the ecosystem but also major businesses such as the fishing community. The irreversible damage that has been done and the repercussion it is having today makes me want to be a part of the solution in preventing the same situation in Western Alaska. Papa Bear is working together with SOTF to help spread the word to our many anglers about the important roles they can play to help gather samples, data, and important information that can be used in the future.