Last Thursday, 45 volunteers came to Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s office to learn all about surveying for salmon! JCWC’s longest-running Community Science project, Salmon Surveys give people an opportunity to get involved and develop a sense of place while collecting valuable information.
With mugs full of tasty soup (thanks to Bob’s Red Mill!), volunteers learned about how their surveys fit into the larger picture of the Johnson Creek watershed and work the Council does to restore it. Fish biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife delved into the differences between coho and chinook, then JCWC staff followed up with protocol and logistics for the surveyors.
When the lights came back on, the carcasses came out on to the table! An opportunity to distinguish the differences between salmonids on the table, and the pervasive smell of fish carcass, wrapped up the night. Check out some of those close-ups below!
Salmon Surveyors will be venturing out to 5 watershed sites every Saturday, weather permitting, through mid-December. Questions about the Community Science program (next project will be Lamprey/Steelhead surveys!) can be directed to communityscience@jcwc.org