Adopt A Salmon and Salmon in the Classroom
Adopt A Salmon is a way for our community to support the Tacoma “Salmon in the Classroom” program.
Historically, Salmon in the Classroom has been funded primarily by state grants, as well as smaller level grants from other organizations and individual donations. As the funding landscape changes, the need for a sustainable monetary source to support this program grows. From this need came Adopt A Salmon, a program in which all contributions will go directly to bringing lessons and invaluable outdoor experiences to Tacoma’s students. Find out more about Adopt A Salmon by visiting the “About” and “How to Support” pages.
Salmon
You may have guessed it, but it’s all about salmon! Students learn about salmon life cycle, the epic journey they undergo, their importance to the economy, environment, and local cultures, the impact humans have on them, and what we can do to make their lives a little easier.
Your Donations Matter
This program is designed to reach students most in need of outdoor experiences and opportunities. These students most lack access and opportunities to many resources, including science, art, environmental recreation, and water-based activities. The Salmon in the Classroom program has always been free to students, everything from the in-class lessons to the field trip to release their salmon. This experience is vital for these students, especially when we can make it accessible to everyone. That means now more than ever, a sustainable source of funding is critical to the survival of this program.
Art
Every year, a unique art project is designed to culminate the program. This allows students to express what they have learned about salmon, which part of the program was important to them, and for some allows them to communicate important environmental lessons they will take forward with them into the future.
One of the activities students participate in during their field trip to Swan Creek is a Nature Walk. They observe the conditions of the creek and identify characteristics of good salmon habitat that are present. 
One example of student artwork from the 2024-2025 program. This one is decorated with paper scales designed by students, and also includes recycled material- a soda bottle eye and plastic chopstick unicorn horn. 
The salmon students raise come from Diru Puyallup Hatchery, who generously donate the fish this program is all about. 
Students often find many things to talk about when out in nature, whether it be the activities they participate in or something interesting from the natural world. 
One example of student artwork from the 2024-2025 program. This salmon is decorated with various pieces of sturdy aluminum flashing. 
The Salmon in the Classroom program has partnered with Next Move for several years. This group works with local high school students to recruit interns, who then support tanks at participating elementary schools. 
During the Dream Stream lesson, students may create a model of salmon habitat however they wish, including factors that may not actually be ideal (Nightmare Stream!) 
Students test the water of Swan Creek to see if it falls within healthy standards for migrating salmon. 
One of the highlights of the Salmon Release Field trip for students is getting to release one of the salmon fry they helped raise, often giving it a unique naming and wishing it well on its journey to the ocean. 
One example of student artwork from the 2024-2025 program. This one is made of natural materials- bark painted red, moss, and rosemary twigs
Field Trips
A core component to this award winning program is the release field trips! Every March right before Spring Break, students attend a field trip to Swan Creek Park in order to learn about the creek and surrounding area, determining if it fits what they have learned about salmon habitat. One of the key moments comes when students get to release one of their very own salmon into the creek!
“This program helped students gain a sense of responsibility for when they took care of the salmon and helped build their understanding of the ecosystem which is present in the area.” -TPS Elementary Teacher
Success Stories
Hear what teachers and students have to say about Salmon
Teacher Quotes:
“The Salmon in the Schools program increased student engagement because they were so excited to see the chum grow and to be a part of making a difference in the environment. And of course, doing the salmon release field trip was so exciting and definitely the highlight!”
“The students are engaged in the lessons, invested in the outcomes of each salmon stage [on] life that we get to observe. The students are caretakers the salmon testing water quality, feeding and even hands of cleaning of the tank habitat. They are excited and proud to participate in the Salmon release culminating field trip as well.”
“My students have worked hard to understand some complex ideas around salmon and stream care for second graders. They were empathetic when any salmon seemed sick. They showed great care while participating in this program. Everyone wanted to be a participant when dealing with the salmon.”
“Salmon in the Schools helps engage even reluctant learners. It also creates a stronger connection to our local ecosystems, increases respect and awareness of indigenous communities, and provides hands-on learning with actionable engagement.”
“My students became salmon obsessed due to our tank and this program. I had students ask me every morning what salmon activities we had planned for the day. The field trip was an awesome experience for students to see how close the salmon are to us and how important they are to our community. I even had parent chaperones tell me how much they learned about salmon the field trip. My entire school benefited from the tank as teachers would use it as an incentive in their classroom and classes would come feed the fish and read salmon books in front of the tank. My students are salmon experts and love finding new ways to learn about and support our salmon and their environment.”
Student Quotes:
“Thank you so much for teaching us everything we need to know about salmon. It was an awesome experience to release our salmon. My class got so close to them, it was hard to say goodbye. Thank you so much!”
“I am happy I got to spend time there [at Swan Creek] and I enjoyed the fun lessons and the experience. Thank you for teaching us about the salmon and letting us be there. Hopefully the next fifth graders can have as much fun as I had.
“I enjoyed the field trip, because we got to release the salmon to their new homes. There are also other reasons, like we got to learn about macroinvertebrates and do the little walk.”
“I am especially thankful for the art project and the fish because I really loved both of those. Going to Swan Creek was also one of my favorite things in all everything there was fun. You should keep doing everything you guys have been doing because of how fun it is.”
“I really enjoyed being out in nature and it was a fun and interesting experience. Seeing the wild life at Swan Creek, the trees there were beautiful, and even though they didn’t have any leaves… they were still beautiful.”
“Thank you guys so much for letting us go to Swan Creek for free! I really enjoy the field trip!
Adopt a Salmon 