West Seattle scene: Salmon-release season at Fauntleroy Creek

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

10:44 AM: Above, that’s Fauntleroy Creek volunteer Dennis Hinton with students from Genesee Hill Elementary, one of more than a dozen schools releasing salmon fry into the creek this spring. Before release season is out, creek steward Judy Pickens tells WSB, volunteers will have worked with about 750 students from all over our area. This is all a followup to a big day in January when volunteers delivered salmon eggs to local schools, who started learning about the life cycle by nurturing them until the fry are set free. More photos later!

11:54 AM: Added:

Shortly after arrival, there’s always a briefing. And of course, the stars of the show are along for the ride:

The GHES students also got to meet EarthCorps volunteers who are working this week in nearby Kilbourne Ravine:

From left, above, are EC’s Nathan, Imani, and Ellen.

Searun May 2, 2017 (11:11 am)

Any idea how many fish have come back to spawn in the creek in recent years?

WSB May 2, 2017 (11:41 am)

Every year we report that in the fall. Some years nothing or near nothing – last year was single digit – but there was one remarkable year a few years back with hundreds.

Searun May 2, 2017 (11:50 am)

Thanks, I do remember that year and was curious what subsequent years have brought.

Sara B May 2, 2017 (1:05 pm)

I love this story! Thank you, Mr. Hinton and other volunteers, for teaching local kids about the importance of our natural environment. You enrich our community.

Dennis Hinton May 2, 2017 (1:09 pm)

Check out our annual report at fauntleroywatershed.org It has spawner totals counted since the year 2000. All time high was 274 spawners in 2012. The numbers fluctuate dramatically. Last year we had 7.

Today 69 4th graders from Genesee Hill released about 100 coho fry in Fauntleroy Creek.

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