Watershed health is our passion.

On Whidbey, there is a little salmon in all of us.

For salmon, surviving early life as an egg or fry defies all odds. Hiding in gravel, under rocks to survive and then – swoosh, downstream into the ocean. Now, young salmon must survive the daily drama of finding food, maybe in a kelp forest, avoiding predation and then off to the open ocean.  None of it is easy, every successful stage, staying alive, could easily be characterized as a miracle. But when we finally do witness a salmon on its final quest to pass their essence to the next generation, it’s a tribute to tenacity, a testament to a truly remarkable species.

The irony is not lost to us that our Outdoor Classroom finds its origins around this salmon story. All the people who have been there, growing right along with the Outdoor Classroom as it grew from one stage to the next. All of our students learn the story, the science, the ecological contribution salmon make to the environment. Built into the science story is an allegory about struggle, tenacity, about life. Those of us holding the torch today, (board, staff and volunteers) are standing on the shoulders of all who came before. On Whidbey, there is a little salmon in all of us.

Make a donation.

Your kids attend the Outdoor Classroom, raise salmon in their classrooms, and do hands-on oceanography projects with our education staff. You enjoy the occasional nature hike through Freeland Wetland Preserve or beach walk at Robinson Beach. You learn about protecting the Salish Sea at our Environmental Learning Center or information booth at a summer festival. If you have enjoyed these activities and places, you have experienced the fruit of our efforts at Whidbey Watershed Stewards.

We are grateful to all our volunteers and donors, large and small, for helping us do this critical work on our island.