Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP)
STEP is run every year through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to teach students about salmon and trout life cycles and conservation. Trout eggs are delivered to classrooms. The students monitor the fish growth, the water quality in the tank, and learn about fish life cycles. Then the hatched fry are released into a local pond. Classes can also take trips to the Oak Springs Hatchery where they learn about life cycles and help with egg collection.
This year, SWCD and NRCS staff released the 5th grade's trout into the Burnet Pond.
The 4th grade students released their fry in the Nogle Pond. After the fish release, trees were planted all around the pond. The Cabral family cooked a delicious BBQ lunch for everyone! The SWCD was able to offer the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program to the school again this year thanks to a generous grant from the Sherman County Education Foundation.