| October 31, 2003
News Release
Venishnick says the Cedar and its salmon, in fact, have provided so much in the 65 years he has lived along its banks that giving back is no great feat. These days Venishnick, now 77, serves as a volunteer naturalist for the Cedar River Salmon Journey, just one more piece in a life-long campaign to ensure the river's vitality. He has worked as a Cedar River Naturalist each fall since the program began six years ago, showing visitors spawning sockeye salmon along the Cedar and discussing the natural and human history of the river. "Watch them, learn about them, do what you can to help, but let them swim up and complete their life cycle- they are a gift from Mother Nature," he says of the Cedar's salmon. Volunteer naturalists like Venishnick are on duty this weekend on both Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2. The Cedar River Naturalists will be stationed at the Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park from 11a .m. to 4 p.m. Naturalists will also be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 8, the final date for this year's program. The Cedar River is a crucial tributary of Lake Washington, running from the southern tip of the lake southeast through Renton and Maple Valley. It is the main source of water for its surrounding region and creates a fertile basin for agriculture and forestry. However, an equally important role may well be providing the spawning grounds for thousands of salmon every fall. For more than six decades, Venishnick has resided next to the Cedar's burbling banks; caring for its condition, fishing its waters, and doing all that he can to ensure its vitality far into the future. Venishnick witnesses first hand what he described as, "Mother Nature's process of taking care of her own." While still a very young man, Venishnick began working for the Stoneway Concrete Plant, a career that would continue for over 30 years. While he worked with the stones and gravel around the river, Mr. Venishnick developed close ties with its ecosystem. No matter the job at hand, he worked diligently to ensure that the Stoneway Plant did not damage the river, or its precious fish and animal inhabitants. Venishnick, "spent a lot of time on the river," as he simply stated, watching and tending the river to ensure it will remain the healthy, invaluable home to salmon it has been all his life. Though much time has passed since Venishnick was catching 60- and 70-pound salmon on the Cedar River as a teen, he still involves himself actively with the salmon's welfare as a Cedar River Naturalist. Venishnick has been intimately engaged in the vital, "educational program," that, he explained, covers issues concerning, "the river, salmon, salmon habitat, and water regulations explanations," all essential public information. The Cedar River Naturalist program works to ensure that the public is informed and respectful of the river and its autumn residents. Without question, people play an essential role in helping maintain the Cedar River and the natural life cycle of the salmon. Proper understanding and maintenance of natural balance are fundamental in preserving the resources of Cedar River. Venishnick's life has been a true tale of environmental stewardship; he has experienced wonderful times and seen miraculous events in his own backyard. He has been a boon to his community and has reaped the benefits of living in partnership with the environment. His history with the Cedar River runs deeper than its own shimmering waters, so he hopes to ensure future generations will follow his lead and do their part to care for the magnificent gifts of nature that are Cedar River and its native salmon. For more information about the Cedar River Salmon Journey, or for directions to salmon watching sites, visit the program Web site or call 206-205-0675. Related Information |
|
Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. |
News Releases