Fin is not only the largest salmon you've ever seen, but probably our most famous celebrity. She has been at NOSC longer than any staff member! She is older than Kevin Merrigan, our Education and Outreach Associate. She was created by artists and community members with Wild Olympic Salmon back in 1988. Many kids who grew up on the Olympic Peninsula have shared their memories of Fin, as she was brought to many education events and festivals for all to admire. NOSC would like to see her inspire several more generations of kids, but we need help procuring the funds necessary for some Fin repairs and a new paint job. We have raised $2,765 out of the $5,000 needed for Fin, so we are half way there! We want Fin to look her best this spring, when she starts to travel around the state. This is when many people, including kids, witness Fin for the first time. Please consider donating today to help Fin continue her travels and continue creating positive memories for generations to come!

The coho salmon that our elementary school classes have been raising are flourishing in their tanks. Salish Coast Elementary and Chimacum Elementary students will release their salmon into Chimacum Creek in late April and early May. Hamilton Elementary (Port Angeles) will be doing so in early April.

When the salmon reach the parr phase, the fish develop vertical stripes called parr marks, which help them to camouflage from predators. Once released into the river, the coho will spend close to a year in fresh water. During this time, the salmon will get bigger by feeding on aquatic insects. The fish will also be imprinting, where the coho will be learning the chemical signature of their stream using their sense of smell as they migrate down to the estuary. Once the salmon finish their time out at sea, gaining most of their size feeding on the ocean's plentiful food, they will return to the same stream where they were released.

The students have been enjoying the salmon in the classrooms and it will be a bit sad to see them go, but they understand that it is all part of the life cycle!

Steelhead are a type of rainbow trout with life history characteristics similar to those of Pacific salmon---they’re born in freshwater, migrate to sea to live and feed for 1-3 years, then return to their natal stream to reproduce. Below are two truths and one lie about steelhead. Make sure to read next months newsletter to learn more about this amazing fish and to find out which two statements are true, and which is false!

Interested in applying? Click HERE for the RFP and to learn more about the evaluation process. Requests for Proposals are due April 15th to sdoyle@nosc.org.