Eagle Fish Health Lab members volunteered at the 20th anniversary of Salmon and Steelhead Days. The three-day event, hosted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, is a chance for 5th graders to come and learn about the salmon that are a part of Idaho’s state heritage. Roughly 2,000 kids participate each year in activities led by the IDFG and community volunteers that are geared towards active, hands-on learning. Children were introduced to aquatic ecosystems at Kids in the Creek, where they donned boots and waded into the river as ecologists helped them identify different organisms and the components of healthy ecosystems. The Salmon Maze illustrated the stages and many challenges of the salmon lifecycle. With help from a couple of EFHL staff, kids also invoked their creativity and learned about fish anatomy as they tried their hands at Gyotaku, the ancient Japanese art of fish painting. Armed with donated kokanee, a variety of watercolor paints, and a piece of paper, each child made their own one-of-a-kind keepsake fish print.
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated to supervise the festivities and to encourage younger generations to take a vested interest in Idaho's fisheries and aquatic resources. For more information about the event or to gear up for next year, check out Salmon and Steelhead Days on Facebook.
--Contributed by Michelle Jakaitis
