Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

It never fails…at this time of year, things with our STEP (Salmon & Trout Education Program) are both exciting as well as “pressure-packed.” Very shortly, we will be delivering steelhead eggs along with Fish and Game authorization forms, so that our certified STEP classes can begin their incubation programs. On one hand, the school kids are getting very excited, all in anticipation of the arrival of their authorized STEP eggs. We are well aware of their excitement, mostly because we’ve received a number of emails from STEP teachers telling about the excitement with their school children. Here’s one of many, many such emails, recently received…..

“Thank-you for the information Hugh. My class is so excited about the upcoming arrival of the eggs.” ~Bonnie Bailey

On the other hand, it’s a time full of anxiety. At this time, we have to determine release dates depending on so many variables. You will appreciate that it’s difficult due to the fact that we have a great number of classes that have signed-up and are authorized to do the egg distribution/ incubation and fry release program. We have a total of 113 classes authorized this year. Furthermore, we have to contend with the many, differing school Spring-Break schedules. Another challenge is determining when each of our many volunteer egg- distributing team-members will be available to do the bagging and distribution of the eggs to a 5 county area. Then, too, Mother- Nature provides more challenges…because we have to wait and see when the eggs will actually be “eyed” and ready for bagging…with this factor depending on the spawning date, existing water temperatures… and help (we hope) of Mother-Nature.
But, we rely heavily on the fact that we can do it! We remember that we’ve been able to do it every year before. Do wish us the best.
We certainly wish to thank the many volunteers that have stepped up to help with this STEP activity. Many thanks, especially, to Barry Burt who has stepped up to take the leadership role with this year’s STEP egg distribution.

We, certainly, would like to acknowledge the recent award given to one of our well-known STEP teachers, Carolyn Flanagan, now retired from Hacienda Science Magnet school in San Jose. Carolyn, our first STEP teacher in Santa Clara County, was recently presented an award at Hacienda School’s Earth Day celebration-program (attended by several hundred people). The award, a large, signed public declaration was written and signed by the San Jose mayor and his Staff. The declaration highlights many of Carolyn’s major contributions to the education of young children, regarding important conservation issues. During the program, STEP was acknowledged as one of Hacienda’s important programs.

By the time when this writing is printed and released in our Project Newsletter, we are certain that we will have completed our egg- distributions…anticipated to be near the end of April. Do wish us the best…and join us next year in helping with this fun, very satisfying program.