Come to the “Save Our Salmon” Picnic Sept. 12

Fourth-graders at the Orcas Elementary School learn from a salmon dissection conducted by the San Juan Nature Institute's "Salmon in the Classroom" program

By Fiona Norris
Science Director, San Juan Nature Institute

Jim and Kathy Youngren have graciously agreed to host a benefit fundraiser for Salmon in the Classroom at Orcas Elementary School, on Sunday September 12 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Supper will be barbecued salmon from the Queen Charlotte Islands, or sausages, served with salad and a dessert. Tickets are $30 per person with a discount for couples ($50) and families ($60 for family of four). Reservations are required to assist us in the planning.

Tickets will be available at Island Market from 10 -12 noon on Saturday August 28. Reservations may also be made by calling 378-3646 or emailing San Juan Nature Institute at science@sjnature.org.

This year, San Juan Nature Institute will offer Salmon in the Classroom to the fourth-grade classroom. The Glenwood Springs Hatchery will supply eggs so that salmon may be raised in the classroom aquarium with equipment on loan from the Department of Fisheries.

The program leads the class through the development of salmon, and addresses the importance of salmon to people and wildlife,  including our threatened Orca whale populations. Games illustrate the threats to salmon survival, and simulate the journey to the home stream for spawning.

We invite scientist to share their research results and the children join in a beach seine where they realize the importance of eelgrass meadows to young fish.

Donations to the salmon picnic will provide an instructor from San Juan Nature Institute, visits from scientists demonstrating the beach seine, an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on available oxygen, and the ever popular salmon dissection.

At our picnic we will invite children to join in the games or make a salmon life cycle bracelet.  Adults may sit in the sun and watch or tour the hatchery, walk through majestic old cedars and visit the fish ladder.

Supper will be served on the sweeping lawns in front of the house. The San Juan Nature Institute is  grateful to the Youngrens for allowing us to enjoy the lovely grounds of their home on Olga Road.

This event on Sunday, Sept. 12 promises to be an important part in the continuation of projects to restore local salmon, and to educate school-aged children on this resource. For more information, to purchase tickets and for specific directions, call 378-3646 or email San Juan Nature Institute at science@sjnature.org.