Related News
Related News
-
EWEB prepares for wildfire season with risk mitigation measures
EWEB is building a more resilient electric system to weather various types of disasters, from wildfire to winter storms.
Find Out More -
Sustainability Snapshot - Homes for Good May 2025
Our first Sustainability Snapshop highlights a project where EWEB teamed up with longtime partner, Homes for Good, to deliver ductless heat pumps to income-eligible apartment rentals.
Find Out More -
EWEB environmental specialist wins prestigious awards for publication
Article recounting EWEB’s efforts to protect the McKenzie River after Holiday Farm Fire earns national recognition
Find Out More -
Last Call for EWEB/Lane County Septic Grants
Holiday Farm Fire recovery program now eligible for businesses, residential property owners who purchased post-fire, to cover inspection costs and new construction
Find Out More -
EWEB, Lane County host open house to gather feedback for “Leaburg Transportation Alternatives Analysis”
“What is the Future of the Leaburg Dam Bridge?” open house exhibit on display at Lloyd Knox Park Visitor Pavilion through July 25
Find Out More -
EWEB Pilots New Line Safety Program for 4th graders.
This year, EWEB is ramping up power line safety for children, specifically 4th graders.
Find Out More -
Improving habitat resiliency throughout the Upper McKenzie
Environmental Responsibility is a core guiding value for EWEB decision-making. This summer, EWEB continues its commitment to environmental stewardship with a robust slate of habitat enhancement updates throughout the upper McKenzie River, across the footprint of the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project.
Find Out More -
EWEB weighs multi-billion-dollar decision affecting energy supply
EWEB is weighing energy supply decisions that will cost nearly $2 billion over the next two decades.
Find Out More -
Habitat Restoration Underway on McKenzie River
Partners at EWEB, McKenzie River Trust, the McKenzie Watershed Council, and the U.S. Forest Service broke ground on a major floodplain restoration project in Quartz Creek.
Find Out More -
Infrastructure upgrades at Nightingale Hosted Shelters made possible through powerful public-nonprofit partnership
Nightingale Hosted Shelters, EWEB, and the City of Eugene celebrate infrastructure milestone
Find Out More -
EWEB opens applications for 2025 Electric Mobility Community Grant
The Eugene Water & Electric Board is now accepting applications for the 2025 Electric Mobility Grant, reinforcing EWEB's commitment to sustainability and cleaner transportation.
Find Out More -
Walterville Hydroelectric Project to remain offline through 2025
EWEB continues to pursue repair plans but must fulfill additional investigation requirements before resuming operation.
Find Out More -
Watch the Recording: Financial Preparedness for Disasters
How will you financially recover after a disaster? This seminar gives key insights into preparing your finances ahead of time.
Find Out More -
Greenpower subscribers vote to award Greenpower Grant to SquareOne Villages
The Greenpower Grant, funded solely by voluntary customer subscriptions, supports local sustainability projects.
Find Out More -
EWEB reaffirms commitment to resilience with Wildfire Mitigation Plan approval
The utility is testing new equipment, leveraging technology, and incorporating third-party expertise to bolster electric system resiliency to a range of threats, including wildfire.
Find Out More - Show More
4J students get hands-on salmon education thanks to EWEB grants
November 21, 2022
On a chilly November day, third graders from Adams Elementary School in Eugene learned about the lifecycle of native salmon on a field trip to Lake Creek near Triangle Lake. The field trips take place all month as part of a program funded by EWEB grants. EWEB dedicates a portion of customer rates to inspiring kids to explore the wonders of science and learn about watershed health, water quality, and emergency preparedness.
“Oncorhynchus tshawytscha… so this is the scientific name for Chinook Salmon…and it comes from the idea that the male’s nose is hooked,” Tana Shepard said to an attentive group of 8-year-olds. “So, it comes from a Greek word…”
The group of third-grade students gathered around teacher Tana Shepard under an awning set up on the creek banks. She showed them photos of Chinook salmon and explained they’ve traveled from the ocean to their spawning grounds here at Lake Creek.
Nearby, in the water, we saw several adult salmon who’ve made the 60-mile journey to this tributary of the Siuslaw River.
“So, if you look out into the rocks… and watch, don’t get too far out,” Shepard warned. “It’ll be a long, cold foot day.” “I have boots,” one student replied “So friends, listen carefully, do you see how there are 2 white shapes out there?” Shepard asked.
Shepard pointed out two female salmon in the creek. She explained that the females are laying eggs, the males fertilize them.
Shepard said this is the most salmon she’s seen come back to this creek since she started leading these field trips 6 years ago. Out here, students get to see salmon in the wild and learn about the lifecycle of this keystone species:
“That if that species disappears from the ecosystem then the ecosystem falls apart,” said Shepard. “Salmon, in particular, are just so important in the freshwater and saltwater environments and that’s really unique for them. So, having the kids learn about that and start to care deeply about a species that they’re raising in their classroom is really cool.”
The students are also raising salmon eggs in class. The salmon education program involves 30 different 4J schools and includes grades 1st-12th. Shepard and three other teachers lead these field trips for 3rd and 4th graders throughout November.
“And we use this trip to connect what they’re learning at school to the lifecycle here and what’s happening at the spawning stage,” Shepard said.
Shepard said the pandemic put these excursions on hiatus, and for the students and some of the teachers this is their first school field trip. She said the chance for students to experience hands on learning and engage in science is invaluable.
“It’s a proponent for getting kids outside more often… and so, I love being outside so sharing that passion with them makes this even better,” Shepard said.
Shepard shared that one student tugged on her elbow during a recent salmon field trip and said this was a once in a lifetime experience.
Shepard’s work is funded by EWEB grants. The 4J/ EWEB Education Partnership is an environmental science program that supports learning opportunities around climate change and its effects in the Pacific Northwest.