The Forests and Fins program focuses on ecology and the life cycle of salmon. Students complete a mock stream survey in the classroom in preparation for a real stream survey on the field study trip. Students work in small groups to analyze the riparian zone, look for macroinvertebrates (stream bugs), test water quality, and evaluate the stream channel. To close out the program, students take action with a habitat restoration project.
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th-8th grade classes
Program Overview
This curriculum includes a pre and post-program assessment, classroom lesson, field study trip, stewardship event, and reflective classroom lesson. To request PDF copies of any curriculum or science journal, email education@mtsgreenway.org.
Introductory Lesson
This lesson, taught by the classroom teacher, helps students get familiar with the salmon life cycle and key terms they’ll need to know throughout the program. They will complete a pre-program assessment and receive their Science Journal.
Pre-Assessment: English and Spanish; Answer Key
In-Class Lesson
This one-hour lesson, taught by a Greenway Educator in your classroom, prepares students for their field study trip. The Educator gives an overview presentation about salmon habitat needs, then students do a hands-on activity in small groups.
Field Study Trip
Students spend the day at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah evaluating salmon habitat health through the lenses of water quality, stream channel, macroinvertebrates (stream bugs), and plants growing in the riparian zone.
We provide all activity supplies needed for the field study trip. Students will be working in small groups supervised by chaperones.
Stewardship Event
An important part of our curriculum is the stewardship event, which happens on a separate day from the field study trip. Students take action to help improve habitats for salmon and other wildlife at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah.
Depending on the season, they remove weeds (like blackberry and ivy) or plant native trees and shrubs. No experience necessary! We provide gloves, tools, and training.
Reflective Lesson
A Greenway Educator will return to the classroom to review the students’ learning experience by facilitating a trivia game and post-program assessment.
Post-Assessment: English and Spanish; Answer Key
This curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): MS-LS4-1, MS-ESS2-1, HS-LS4-1, HS-ESS2-1
Program Location
The field study trip and stewardship event will happen at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah. This 531-acre, day-use park with over 6,000 feet of waterfront at the head of Lake Sammamish provides important habitat for recovering salmon, as well as recreation opportunities. This park is a regional gem, home to diverse wildlife and enjoyed by more than two million people each year.
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has been working at Lake Sammamish State Park for more than two decades. Your students will get the opportunity to participate in habitat restoration to help keep this area healthy and beautiful for future generations! To learn more, visit this link to read about our work at Issaquah Creek.
Program Cost
To remove barriers preventing students from accessing the outdoors, we subsidize the cost of our program through a combination of gifts and grants. Our program fees are per class and are based on a school’s percentage of students from low-income families. Find your school’s percentage on the OSPI Washington State Report Card.
% Low Income Cost Per Class
35-100% FREE
0-34% $750 + sales tax*
*WA State’s new law (ESSB 5814) effective October 1, 2025 classifies live presentations as retail sales subject to retailing Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and retail sales tax.
Transportation
If at least 35% of your school’s population is from a low-income family, you may be able to receive transportation cost assistance. Each year, King County provides a limited number of Wheels to Water buses to schools within its Wastewater Treatment Division service area. If your school is unable to use a Wheels to Water bus, the Greenway Trust may be able to offset the cost of your transportation, thanks to generous grants and gifts. Contact us to learn more.
Ready for Your Upcoming Program?
Please make sure all participants (youth and adults) have a signed waiver and your chaperones know what to expect.
Forests and Fins Video Series
Unable to participate in our in-person program, but still looking to bring environmental education to your classroom?
Each video covers one of the life cycles of salmon as well as a topic related to salmon and their environment. Topics include elements of a healthy salmon stream, identifying native and invasive plants, how to measure water quality, and how you can be a steward for salmon in your day-to-day life.