Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail
Check our Kennedy Creek Blog for the latest trail updates. Also check out the latest 2011 pictures from the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail season.
In 2011, the Trail is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm on weekends starting Saturday, October 29 through Sunday, November 27 (plus 11/11 and 11/25). During the week it is reserved for local schools.
Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail (KCST) is our region’s premiere salmon-viewing experience. Over 5,000 students and local residents visit the trail each year to view tens of thousands of wild chum salmon spawning in their natural environment.
The trail includes 11 tailor-made viewing stations and interpretive signage, as well as a parking lot specially designed to minimize the impact of visitors on the environment. Volunteer trail guides are available to answer visitor questions, and lead groups scheduled by appointment.
Access to the trail is FREE for everyone. The Trail is supported directly by visitor donations and the annual Kennedy Creek Salmon Splash fundraiser. The KCST is managed by SPSSEG and Mason Conservation District. The land is owned by Taylor Shellfish Farms, who graciously provide access to the trail.
A big THANK YOU to our 2011 Trail sponsors!
General Funding Information:
The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail is a community gem. Each year, over 5,000 people visit the Trail to learn more about the salmon life cycle and to observe their spawning and courting behaviors. In any given year, the spawning salmon population can reach as high as 80,000 fish. Normally, the range is between 20,000 and 40,000. These spawning adults can produce approximately 30 million to 60 million eggs annually; not all eggs will survive to become fry or even to adults. On average, only 2-3 individuals will complete their natural life cycle and return to the natal stream where they were hatched. These dying fish and carcasses are actually a critical part of salmon’s overall survival strategy.
Since 2000, the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) has been working diligently to make sure that there is place for local students and our community to learn more about these iconic and wild northwest salmon. Since its conception, the Trail has grown into a local and regional destination for salmon viewing. Media coverage ranges from the local Olympia area newspapers and blogs, to regional magazines such as Sunset, and national exposure in the National Geographic Traveler. The word is out about this excellent program and salmon viewing at the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail. Plan a visit for next October/November and see for yourself what the hype is about!
The Trail is a community supported and volunteer based program. Each year over 50 volunteer docents donate approximately 600 hours specifically to the program. The Trail is open to the general public every weekend day in November as well as Veteran’s day and the day after Thanksgiving. During the week, the Trail is reserved for school groups and classroom visits. Classes range from preschool through college. SPSSEG provides the overall organizational support and coordination necessary to operate the Trail safely and efficiently.
SPSSEG is continually searching for diverse and stable funding to keep this program thriving. We write grants, host fundraisers, and ask our supporters to help fund the Trail. This is where you can help the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail succeed. SPSSEG has set a goal to raise $2,500 through corporate and business giving to help support operations. SPSSEG uses these funds to help coordinate teachers and school field trips, pay for school buses, organize and support over 50 volunteers docents, and maintain the Trail.
We hope that you are interested in financially supporting the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail program. We are available to meet with you at your convenience to discuss any possible donation interests that you may have. We have several options listed below that may work out for you. SPSSEG is a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization and all donations are considered tax deductible to fullest extent of the law.
Become a “Chum” of Kennedy Creek today!
1. SPAWNING “CHUM” SALMON: Over $1,000 per year
2. OCEAN “CHUM” SALMON: $750-1,000 per year
3. “CHUM” FRY: $500-750 per year
4. “CHUM” EGG: $250-500 per year
SPSSEG will create a sign at the welcoming kiosk each year and display the donors using the above categories. All donors will be highlighted in our newsletter, website, and at our Splash fundraising event during the summer. Each year, the highest donor will receive special recognition and award at our annual meeting in January.
Lance can be reached at 360-412-0808 x 101 or lancew@spsseg.org to discuss this exciting partnership opportunity with you further. The Trail is a community asset. Please consider making a contribution to help.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Docents, access your web page here
Schedule a Group Tour or School Field Trip
Find out why NO DOGS are allowed on the trail
Help Keep Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Alive
Get a FREE Kennedy Creek poster today
Learn more about the trail at WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife’s Kennedy Creek Page
Recent Kennedy Creek News
[catlist id=9]
