On June 16th, League members ventured to the Willow Creek Salmon and Watershed Recovery Center. Brittany Ahmann of Salmon Solutions and volunteer Gary guided us through the acreage above Willow Creek. First, Gary led us through the Pine St. adjacent Susie Schaeffer Wildlife and Native Plant Community Garden. He pointed to the many labels of the plants, providing the visitor with a self-guided tour. Then we walked down a sloped trail to the Willow Creek demonstration gardens to view the medicinal plant starters and then to a trail of native plants under the canopy of cedars and firs.
Next stop was the salmon mini-hatchery where Brittany explained the life development of the salmon at the Center. Once a year they receive salmon eggs with eyes called “alevia” which still contain their yolk. They live for weeks in what resemble egg cartons before being transferred as Redds into lines of water filled bins. Here the Redds learn to eat and to swim. When ready, the caretakers “pull the plug” and drain the bins. Now fry, the salmon go to a larger pool where they will continue to grow in size until ready for release into the Puget Sound Watershed. This usually occurs in early spring – some day in March.
The facility has many programs for school age children and for adults to teach care for their watersheds and for nature. For adults, they host volunteer training that readies the willing for work in the area parks. “Salmon in the School” takes salmon eggs into the classroom where students can witness salmon growth and eventual “release.” Summer is a time for kid camps that focus on care and curiosity for nature. As a nonprofit, they have a number of ways for people to donate whether as cash or time.
The tour group next headed to Anthony’s for lunch and more lively conversation.
Next Field Trip: Hibulb Cultural Center, Tulalip Reservation, August 18th at 10:30 am