Education and Outreach

In the following sections you will find a wealth of information relating to salmon restoration in the south Puget Sound. These resources will help you gain a better understanding of how the SPSSEG is involved in educating their community about issues relating to salmon recovery. You will also gain a better understanding of how YOU can play a role in this essential process.

So whether you are interested in the biology of Pacific Northwest Salmon, looking for information on salmon restoration technology and policies, or searching for some great resources for your class or community, you can find it all right here on our education pages. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to call. We also invite you to send us information about your favorite links so that we can consider them for this site.

SPSSEG Education Mission
Basic Salmon Ecology
Salmon Restoration 101
SPSSEG Educational Resources:

General Educational Resources

Festivals & Community Events
Other Educational Links

SPSSEG Education Mission

At SPSSEG, we are committed to educating our regional community about the basic ecology of Pacific Northwest salmon and the environmental issues that impact their survival. We are also actively involved in educating others about on the ground projects that can help restore salmon habitat, and the strategic process involved in project funding. Through these efforts we will promote an increase in local salmonid populations and see an enlightened and empowered community committed to maintaining healthy salmon population levels.

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Kids visit the Puget Creek restoration site where SPSSEG installed a large fishway to open up previously restricted salmon habitat.

Basic Salmon Ecology

In this section, you will find details on aspects of the development, behavior (e.g. migration and spawning), ecology and overall biology of Pacific Northwest salmon. Learn about which salmon species occur in our region, their patterns of distribution, tips on species identification (e.g. size, color, morphology), as well as facts about their migration patterns. The Washington Department of Fish and WIldlife (WDFW) provides this information on which characteristics are best for identifying adult salmon. WDFW also provides information about which features best identify the juveniles of each species. Oregon DFW offers these, "Do's and Don'ts" of salmon identification.

Looking for additional information about salmon life history stages? This pdf document can get you started. Additional details on salmon life cycles can be found at this page by the Salmon Nation.

The Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund offers this extensive review of stock enhancement and habitat restoration, as well as research and salmon education. Here you can learn more about salmon – details about each species, aspects of the salmon life cycle, habitat and key scientific research being conducted throughout the Pacific Northwest. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) offers a link to this 145 page Special Edition Technical Report, entitled, "Pacific Salmon and WIldlife: Ecological Contexts, Relationships, and Implications for Management 2nd Edition. Here you will find details on general salmon life history, the diverse array of salmon habitats, the ecological relationships of salmon, aspects on the salmon fishery and stock management, as well as the role of salmon in the environment.

Check out this Fisheries and Oceans Canada link that gives extensive information on the History and Habits of Pacific Salmon.

 

 

Diagram representing some of the more than 135 species that rely on salmon for some aspect of their survival.

Salmon Restoration 101

Salmon restoration in the Pacific Northwest is a complex issue that must be approached from many different levels. In this section you will learn more about the typical projects that our Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group is involved in.

To learn more about the basics of why fish passage is important, as well as details of various fish friendly culvert designs, check out this Pdf document.

You will also gain detailed information about the Shared Salmon Strategy and how our group is working with this multidimensional organization to ensure that restoration of Puget Sound Salmon remains a community effort and under regional direction.

Other information in this section includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's page on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and how it is being applied to salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest. Here you can also learn more about the recent threats to the future of the ESA.

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Minter Creek after new bridge installed to open up stream for salmon.

SPSSEG Education Resources

Schedule an SPSSEG education specialist

We are available to visit your classroom or meet with your special interest group to present either a general overview of our role in salmon recovery or share a specific lesson on a diverse array of relevant topics, such as salmon-friendly gardening, salmon migration, salmon homing behavior, and activities relating to salmon harvest management.

Of course getting kids out in nature is our main goal, so we are also available to escort your group to a salmon spawning stream or assist you with a stream survey, including an analysis of water chemistry and stream invertebrate diversity. Contact us today to schedule an SPSSEG educator for your class or event.

Visit Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail

And don't forget to visit the jewel in our crown...Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail. Kennedy Creek is one of the most productive chum salmon streams in Washington State. Our Kennedy Creek web site has detailed information on the creek, how to schedule a school visit, dates when the trail is open to the public and staffed by docents, as well as an interactive map that offers a virtual visit to the creek. You can learn more about Kennedy Creek Chum and this small low-land stream that flows into the head of Totten Inlet in Southern Puget Sound. Visit this Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site for additional information and spawning data on Kennedy Creek Chum.

Participate in an SPSSEG salmon recovery project

We offer several options for how you can get out in nature and directly participate in the salmon recovery process. Just call us for details and scheduling.

Experience a salmon carcass toss

And don't forget everyone's favorite ...a salmon carcass toss. salmon carcasses supply a rich assortment of minerals to vegetation and invertebrates of the riparian food web. Check our calendar to find some scheduled carcass toss events that you may want to join in on.

Help plant native plants or maintain a project site

Maybe planting or maintaining native plants at one of our project sites is more what you are looking for. Project plantings are relatively common at SPSSEG. We can try to fit your group in on one of our future events or organize a customized planting to suit your schedule. Once we plant an area we also need people to help us maintain the area. Groups are always welcome to help us with weeding, blackberry bush pruning, and removal of plant supports. You can also check our calendar to see if plantings are being offered by some of our salmon recovery partners. You are always welcome to help in any of these events too.

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Stencil neighborhood storm drains

We can arrange for your group to obtain storm drain stenciling kits as another way to give back to the environment and help protect salmon streams. From this activity you can gain a better appreciation for watershed dynamics and the impacts of storm water run off on salmon survival. Visit the City of Tacoma's Environmental Education and Outreach page to learn more about other youth and adult activities in your area.

Reserve Clean Bay Car Wash Kit for your next car wash fundraiser

Car washes are great fundraising ideas but they represent a significant threat to aquatic habitats. Car waste water contains soaps and detergents, residues from exhaust fumes, gasoline and motor oils. This contaminated water runs down storm drains and flows directly into nearby streams, rivers, bays and oceans. Unlike waster water from your home, storm drain run off is not treated at a sewage treatment plant. With this in mind, it is essential that car wash organizers learn how to limit or prevent wash waste water from entering near by storm drains and waterways. Refer to this interesting article about how to run a successful and environmentally friendly car wash fundraiser. You can also check out the City of Tacoma’s Clean Bay Car Wash kit which sends car waste water to the City’s sewage treatment plant instead of letting it run down the storm drain.

Visit a local salmon hatchery

Another great educational event is to plan a visit to a local salmon hatchery. Many of these facilities have developed activities that cater to group visits. To find a hatchery in your area (address and contact information included) click here. Click on the following link For a map of hatchery locations in Washington.

Raise salmon in your classroom

We can help your class get involved in the Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) salmon the classroom program. An exciting hands on curriculum designed to help educate youth about local salmon recovery issues. Approximately 600 of Washington's schools participate in the Salmon in the Classroom Project. Students receive 500 eggs from a designated hatchery. They then care for "their" salmon while learning about life histories and habitat requirements. By becoming salmon stewards, these students become more aware of local waterways and gain knowledgeable and appreciation for water quality issues. Students release the salmon as fry after studying the streams and creeks into which the fish will be released. We can also add a creek survey, organize a planting event, or help you host a salmon release party that you and your community can celebrate. We will help you apply for your eggs and make sure that you have the right equipment to raise them into healthy salmon fry, ready for release.

Schedule a salmon dissection

Volunteers can come to your classroom to help you and your students learn more about salmon by exploring their amazing biology and physiology. Funds for this program are limited, but call to check on availability of this exciting program.

Reserve a Wild Salmon Education Trunk

Call SPSSEG to reserve our WDFW wild salmon education trunk. The salmon trunk is another valuable resource for a varied and detailed approach to salmon education. Inside you will find specific activities, lessons, and resources for teaching about various aspects of salmon ecology and restoration. You can also visit this WDFW page and get the name of the contact person in your region where salmon education trunks can be accessed.

How to schedule these options

Just call our main office and let us know how we can best serve you. Keep in mind that we can also combine several of these activities to create presentation for your whole school.

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Students participate in the SPSSEG's model stream activity demonstrating barriers to salmon migration and the typical community-based restoration efforts to resolve these problems.

 

 Group at Kennedy Creek watching the annual Chum run

Adult Chum salmon lay dead in Kennedy Creek after spawning. Decayed salmon Carcasses inject minerals and nutrients into the local food web.

 

Members planting our Mashel River project site.
Students stencil storm drains as a reminder to their community to protect their local watershed and salmon streams from harmful chemicals in car wash effluent and harsh lawn care products.

Don't be a source of non point source pollution. Reserve a car wash kit for your next fundraiser.

Map indicating locations of salmon hatcheries in Puget Sound region.

Experience the excitement and rewards of raising salmon in your classroom - Salmon fingerlings in a tank.
Students gain a greater appreciation of salmon and nature when they participate in a structured salmon dissection program. Details of fish anatomy and physiology are also emphasized in this activity.

General Educational Resources

Activities, lesson plans, and curricula

Our education pages offer a wealth of information for teachers, parents, students and interested citizens to promote a greater understanding of salmon biology and ecology, the salmon recovery process, as well as elements of general environmental education and stewardship.

We have made every effort to include engaging and interactive activities, lesson plans, and curricula that are multidisciplinary in approach. Our goal is to present you with lesson plan ideas that are suitable for use with all learning styles, including those for students that learn best when immersed in nature.

Measure your ecological footprint

We encourage you to review these resources on minimizing your ecological footprint. Up next...take the Ecological Footprint Quiz. Here you will find environmentally friendly cleaning products, ideas on how to reduce your water and energy usage, and how to be a more environmentally-friendly salmon lover. Another great tool to help you stop and think about your role in salmon recovery is this self-assessment on your impact on salmon.

You can make a difference

Visit our page on Making a Difference to learn about how you can help us to help the salmon. Learn about how to properly dispose of hazardous chemicals, green cleaning solutions, how to properly wash your car so our streams and their inhabitants are protected. Find out about Washington's native plants and how you can purchase yours. We even have included a section about species of plants and aquatic organisms that are not native to Washington. Help us keep a look out for invasive species that threaten our local environment
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Students learn about local watersheds and impacts of runoff on aquatic habitats.

 

 

"Salmon" in their redds- Children participating in our salmon migration activity where they build a "nest" after "tracking" chemical cues to find their home stream.

Educational Festivals and Community Events

Please check the SPSSEG Calendar and our news section for more information on festivals, community events, and articles that address salmon education and related environmental issues. Over the course of a year our team of educators are busy visiting local festivals, scheduling classroom visits and educational events. We recently sponsored a salmon mural for the Olympia Procession of the Species. Here you can see a giant mural designed for SPSSEG's very own Sarah Clarke. Sarah involved the community in making this project a reality.

Keep an eye out for the SPSSEG educational unit at your next community event!

Other Educational Links

On this page you will find some additional resources on salmon education and how you can learn more about protecting, preserving, and promoting a salmon friendly environment.  

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Last updated July 1st, 2008