Ready, set, swim. Spring means you may see many local students releasing teeny tiny salmon into nearby creeks for a citywide project.
The Salmon in the Schools Seattle (SISS) initiative has been going on for a decade, helping to teach students about local watershed protection.
Students raise salmon from eggs to fry (baby fish) over the course of the year, then go on a special field trip to set ‘em free at release sites like Piper’s Creek, Fauntleroy Creek, and areas along Lake Washington.
Some more fishy facts:
- ~70 Seattle schools participate in the program
- SISS released 10,000+ fry in 2022
- Students raise either Coho or Chum salmon, with a few schools raising Chinook
The program is run as a partnership among Seattle Public Utilities, IslandWood, the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project, and the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. This year’s participating schools are listed online — cheer them on.
