Community Gathering Welcomes Back Salmon to Vashon-Maury Creeks

The Vashon Nature Center will host a community celebration to welcome salmon back to island creeks on Sunday, November 10th from 2-3 pm. All are welcome to join us alongside Judd Creek at 204th and 111th Streets for a joyful circle of drumming, song, and poetry to offer gratitude for the salmons’ long journey.
 
We have much to be grateful for! Salmon watchers have already spotted the first Coho salmon in both Shinglemill and Judd Creeks. And this year, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expects larger numbers of Coho salmon returning to Puget Sound—880,000 Coho are forecast to return to area streams, about 150,000 more than last year.
 
"Last year, my nine-year-old son and I saw 15 Coho salmon swimming up the creek. It was amazing!" says Jen Williams, a Vashon Nature Center salmon watcher. "I look forward to offering my gratitude for these amazing fish making a comeback in Vashon waters."
 
This is the first year the event will be hosted by the Vashon Nature Center. In the past, community volunteers organized the Welcome Back Salmon Celebration, but it has been on hiatus for the past four years. The resurgence of interest in salmon health on Vashon, as well as Vashon Maury Island Land Trust restoration work on known salmon spawning creeks, give renewed hope for the future health of local salmon populations.
 
Vashon Nature Center volunteer salmon watchers are critical in this effort by providing valuable information about how local salmon populations are faring through time.
 
"We have more than 40 trained volunteers—including many high school biology students—watching what they see," says Bianca Perla, director of Vashon Nature Center. "We invite the community to come and celebrate the joy and wonder of salmon with us."
 
Bring a poem, drum or other instrument, friends or just yourself and join us. We hope the salmon will make a special guest appearance.