Celebrate Salmon this Saturday

LEABURG: The Salmon Stewards of Lane County and the McKenzie Watershed Council will celebrate the return of salmon to northwest rivers at the inaugural Salmon Celebration on the McKenzie River from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th. The event will feature education, art, and entertainment for all ages.

Besides salmon, the McKenzie River watershed also provides sustenance for birds, frogs, salamanders, foxes, deer, bugs, and countless trees, shrubs, and flowers. Organizers say a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment was designed to give people an opportunity to discover and appreciate the complex river ecosystem and the significance of salmon to the people of the Northwest.

“For over 20 years, students in Lane County have participated in Salmon Watch field trips and we are excited to invite the community to participate in those same experiences at the Inaugural Salmon Celebration,” said Jennifer Weber, Salmon Steward Coordinator with the McKenzie Watershed Council. “Visitors will be able to view the awesome spectacle of salmon spawning, volunteer educators will provide hands-on learning opportunities including macroinvertebrate iden-

tification, water quality, and riparian ecology, as well as learn the significance of salmon, the cultural icon of the Pacific Northwest.”

In addition to the educational opportunities, there will also be Gyotaku fish printing, a children’s art contest, Native American storytelling, and live music. Admission will be free and open to the public. People are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy.

The McKenzie Hatchery is located two miles east of Leaburg at milepost 22. Turn right on Greer Drive; the hatchery is located at 43863 Greer Drive.

For more information, visit http://www.mckenziewc.org/ ; salmonwatch.

Image above: Students participating in the annual Salmon Watch.