Salmon Hatchery Field Trip for PELC Students

In early April, all of the kindergartners at the Pendleton Early Learning Center went on a field trip to the CTUIR’s salmon hatchery facility.

As the district’s young learners made their way around the facility, they got to see and touch coho and steelhead salmon, feed the fish, and examine a lamprey.

Easton Powaukee, a Technician III at the fisheries site, said he is always happy to see students visit. “To have the kids see the different types of salmon in the rivers they live near is good and to experience the involvement of the schools with the tribe is positive,” Powaukee said.

The facility houses about 660,000 fish at this time of year and is part of the large effort to increase the number of salmon in the region’s waterways.

Squeals of surprise and excitement could be heard at all the stations, especially from those who held the lamprey. Lamprey technician Kanim Moses-Conner said he loves to see the reaction of the students when they see the lamprey’s teeth, which some see as scary. “Most of the students have never seen a lamprey, so I want them to have a memorable experience here, to be introduced to the lamprey and be able to pass on their knowledge,” Moses-Conner said.

The PELC thanks those who helped with the field trips:

Umatilla Hatchery Satellite Facilities Staff:
Iron Cody
Tysen Minthorn
Shaun Montgomery
Easton Powaukee

Lamprey Project:
Aaron Jackson
Kanim Moses-Conner
Paul Sheoships
Jerrid Weaskus