Once a thriving fishing and logging community, the socio-economic landscape of Ucluelet is changing. These extraction-based industries have undergone considerable decline in the last few decades. To a young person growing up in this changing environment, the prospects for a bright future might seem uncertain.Our society’s aims is to broaden the economic horizons of these young people. We attempt to recruit local volunteers and employees in our educational programs, offering them valuable experience in the fields of science, science education, conservation biology and ecotourism.With the help of Provincial student employment grants we have trained several naturalists. Some of our former employees are now pursuing rewarding careers at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.