Seeds to Salmon

Developed in response to concern about a shortage of conifer seeds for replanting after wildfires and a shortage of native plants to meet demand, Seeds to Salmon meets a need for increased plant availability and diversity while giving students hands-on experience in principles of native plant propagation and ecological restoration.

The 2024/25 school year will mark LCFEG's 4th year of sharing this curriculum with local highschoolers!

The 2023/24 School Year

During the 2023/24 we were able to expand the program to students at CASEE (Center for Agriculture, Science, and Environmental Education) a part of Battle Ground Public Schools, for the first time, while continuing our work with Fort Vancouver and Hudson’s Bay High School in the Vancouver School Districts. The hard work of these students yielded over 1,200 seedlings and/or cuttings that will be cared for until they are mature enough for transfer to salmon restoration sites.

The Curriculum

Built to provide 12X1-hour lessons throughout the course of an entire school year. LCFEG's Education and Outreach Coordinator attends class once a week (for 6 weeks during the fall, and 6 weeks during the spring growing season, with a winter break in between). Lessons are hands-on and focus on getting students outside into the greenhouse spaces on campus to learn about native plant propagation.

Intro to PNW Native Plant Identification
PNW Native Conifers, Seed Dissection, and Stratification
PNW Native Deciduous Trees and Propagation from Seed
PNW Native Shrubs and Propagation from Cuttings
Herbaceous Wetland Species and Seed Sowing
Invasive Species Management and Pathogens of Concern
Potting Bare-Root Plants
Careers in Conservation Panel
Native Annuals and Seed Scarification
Up-potting Plants and Transferring Seedlings
Intro To Forest Canopy Layers & Designing a Revegetation Plan
Nursery Maintenance & Organization Practices

The Lessons

All Seeds to Salmon work for the upcoming 2024/25 school year will be funded through Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Community Forestry Assistance Program.

New Aspects of the Program:

Yearly field trips for each partnered school to LCFEG Restoration Site
Incorporating 12 educational events with community partners
Hosting of teacher trainings to expand the reach of the curriculum beyond LCFEG
Partnership with Pacific Education Institute for curriculum development and providing Stem Clock Hours for teachers attending trainings
Seeds to Salmon Art Contest to design a logo for the program
At least 25% of all plants propagated will be grown with the idea of giving them back to the schools for their yearly plant sales (increasing the presence of native plants in the community)

Community Forestry Assistance Negotiations Currently Pending

Lesson Goals

Understand the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants.
Discuss characteristics of healthy watersheds.
Explain the ecological relationships between plants and the salmon life cycle.
Discuss plant propagation and cultivation techniques used to grow key native species.
Implement plant propagation techniques according to standard protocols.
Understand how native plants are used in ecological & salmon habitat restoration.
Develop a personal connection to waterways and natural resources in SW Washington.
Develop awareness of job opportunities and professional skills related to natural resources.

Current Program Metrics

Partnered Schools: Fort Vancouver High School (Natural Resources), Hudson's Bay High School (Natural Resources), C.A.S.E.E. Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (Freshman Class)

Students Reached: During the 2023/24 School Year over 120

Plants Propagated: Partnered schools agree to propagate 250 native plants each year of the program. We propagated over 1,000 seedlings/cuttings for the 2023/24 school year.