Autumn 1999 Bookworm

From our Autumn 1999 Bugnet issue:

BOOKWORM: by John Etgen
Project WET Montana Coordinator & MEEA Member

WILD About Salmon
1999, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Available at workshops (such as MEA, on Oct. 21) sponsored by IDFG
40 pages

Audience: Educators      

This guide will be a valuable tool for educators to both learn more about salmon biology and human interactions, and to teach these concepts to others using the activities. A strength is the extensive background information on the natural history of salmon.

The activities are well organized and easy to execute and adapt to different grade levels. I especially like the tried and true "Hooks and Ladders" and "Help, I Can't Breathe!" relating to siltation/sedimentation of salmon spawning beds. I think it would help, especially in "Dam Design," to have a list of resources at the end of each activity rather than just in the appendix. Also, in "Sockeye Scents," which is a great activity, please include a safety caution related to students with allergies (i.e. peanut butter).

In Chapter 3, "Where are all the Salmon?" I feel that the discussion of sedimentation, loss of cover, altered stream flows and pollution are biased against logging and agricultural practices. Natural causes of erosion, such as high water events and forest fires denuding a landscape, are not mentioned. Additionally, a common source of nonpoint source pollution is not listed: lawn chemicals from municipalities (yards, golf courses, landscaped parks) that are overused allowing the excess to run off into surface water or percolate into ground water.

Despite the specifics listed above, I really like this guide and hope to include it in future trainings through Project WET Montana.