Volunteers from the city's Stream Teams monitor the health of the aquarium and help transport the parr to the creek. Seventh grade Humanities students of Joan Boyd also help with the release. In addition, Boyd's students wrote salmon diaries, which were put on display at City Hall during spring break. Each contained the life of a type of salmon written in first person narrative. They learn the life cycle of salmon, the needs of the environment for their survival, and the importance of trees and foliage to their survival.
Students learn to become stewards of their environment in their own community.
Shelton says the program would not happen without funding from Steve Kealy of the Glendale Golf and Country Club. He supplied the aquarium and related equipment, paid the costs to bus students to Kelsey Creek for the release, and helped with fees for the school to become an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary School. They sit on log benches and use the area to learn about biology, ecology, art and writing. It was developed to preserve the wetland as a place to study and explore as a type of ecosystem. O n March 29, the Sammamish High cafeteria offered a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, according to principal Evelyn Cogswell.