KENNEWICK, Wash. – Monday kicked off the 26th Annual Salmon Summit. This is part of the Benton Conservation District’s Salmon in the Classroom program. Thousands of elementary school students learned firsthand how the community works and thrives with the Columbia River by raising baby salmon.
The Outreach Coordinator, Rachel Little, with the Benton Conservation District, said this is a way to get kids interested in taking care of our local river systems. She said students raised salmon fry or baby salmon. After months of raising them, the students released the baby salmon in the Columbia River.
“They have learned to care for these fish, and they want to see them be successful,” said Little. “Our hope is that by personally releasing a fish into the river, the students will then help take care of the river as the salmon’s home.”
According to Little, It’s a fun and educational event teaching kids about salmon and the benefits of local rivers.
The summit also provides opportunities to learn about the importance of the fish historically in our area.
It’s about making students’ education more well-rounded as they grow up in this environment.
It’s an opportunity for students to learn about the life cycle of salmon, their importance to the ecosystem, and the human impact on their habitats.
“Salmon are more important than just food,” said Little. “Salmon are more important than just a scientific indicator of our environment and water quality. Salmon are sacred to the indigenous people.”
Little said there are several indigenous cultures here that relied upon salmon for food. She says salmon not only provided food, but in the traditional beliefs, salmon were the first to step forward to take care of humans.
On top of learning about salmon and the river, multiple booths are set up with information on other agricultural topics.
The summit continues today, starting at 10 a.m., in Columbia Park, near the Regional Veteran’s Memorial and the Lampson Pits.
