October 4, 2000 News Release From the sea to the Cedar, see local salmon return to spawn Our awareness about salmon, their life cycle, and the threat of extinction has risen significantly in Washington since the listing of chinook salmon for protection under the Endangered Species Act earlier this year. But many newcomers and locals have still not witnessed this uniquely Northwest experience of local salmon coming back to their native habitat to spawn and complete their life's journey. Starting in mid-October, 2000, people can visit four different locations on the Cedar River during four different Saturdays and make the connection between the salmon's epic journey and our own, everyday actions. On Saturday, October 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 2000, volunteers naturalists will be on duty from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations: Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park. Due to limited parking at each site, carpooling is strongly advised. (See directions below.) "Seeing this amazing process happen before your very eyes gives you a perspective you just don't get from reading about it or seeing it on television," says Polly Freeman, King County Department of Natural Resources. "It's like the difference between getting a postcard from the Grand Canyon versus going there and staring deep in the chasm of this natural wonder. You feel differently." That's why Charles Ruthford, his wife Jane, and their two sons, Patrick and Jeffrey, have chosen to volunteer as Cedar River Naturalists again this year. Volunteer naturalists, like the Ruthfords, share the human and natural history of the Cedar River with visitors. Naturalists will discuss Cedar River wildlife, specifically the Cedar's sockeye salmon, their life cycle and habitat and human impacts on salmon. This year sockeye salmon are expected to return in great numbers to the Cedar River, despite generally declining salmon runs, and the listing of other salmon species, like Puget Sound chinook salmon, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. "Last year only 22,000 sockeye returned to the Cedar, an extremely small population," says Polly Freeman, King County Department of Natural Resources. "Wild salmon production fluctuates from year to year, but has been consistently on the decline for many decades. So while it's thrilling to see the Cedar River sockeye return in such numbers this year, it doesn't mean we can let up in our efforts to protect salmon runs overall," she said. The Cedar River Naturalist program is sponsored by the King County Park System, The Seattle Aquarium, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle Public Utilities, King County Department of Natural Resources, City of Renton and Washington Sea Grant. Funding provided by the Lake Washington/Cedar River Watershed Forum with King Conservation District funds. If you can't make it out to the Cedar River, follow these tips to protect our water quality and help salmon thrive. Compost. Enrich your garden with compost in place of chemical fertilizers. Avoid pesticides. Instead of pesticides use native plants, rotate your crops and learn to use "friendly" insects that naturally control harmful bugs. Conserve water. Water the yard infrequently but deeply and conserve water in your home. Use a car wash. Don't wash your car in the drive way or on the street. Take it to a car wash where water is treated and recycled. Control oil. Fix engine oil leaks and recycle oil rather than throwing it out. Scoop poop. Dispose of pet waste properly and fence larger animals away from streams. Don't get hosed. Use a broom instead of a hose to remove dirt from sidewalks and driveways, which both protects and saves water. Plant a tree. Plants and trees help control and slow water runoff. For more information about the Cedar River Salmon Journey, call (206) 205-3775. Information is also available on-line at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/cedar-river-naturalists.htm DIRECTIONS Renton Library Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Maple Valley/Enumclaw). From I-405 Northbound, turn left on Maple Valley Highway (Hwy. 169) and go under I-405 to Bronson Way. Cross the Cedar River. Take your first left onto Mill St. Look for the library immediately on the left (100 Mill St.). From I-405 Southbound, after you take Exit #4, take a right at the second light, onto Bronson Way. Follow rest of directions above. Riverview Park Located on the south side of the Maple Valley Highway (Hwy. 169) 2 miles east of the I-405 overpass (on the right side of highway, coming from Renton). Be CAREFUL turning in and out of the parking lot...it's on a blind curve! If the lot is full, park at Maplewood Roadside Park immediately east of Riverview and walk back along the Cedar River Trail. Cavanaugh Pond Located on the north side of Maple Valley Highway (Hwy. 169) 4.5 miles east of I-405. It is immediately adjacent to the Riverbend Mobile Home Court and less than one mile east of the 149th Ave. SE intersection. Watch for the fish signs! Follow posted parking instructions or directions from an on-site naturalist about where to park. Landsburg Park Follow Hwy. 169 southeast until you reach Kent-Kangley Rd. (Hwy. 516) and the Four Corners Shopping Center (about 2 miles south of the Hwy. 18 interchange). Turn left onto Kent-Kangley Road. Take the next left onto Summit Landsburg Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Landsburg Road (also called 276th Ave SE.). Soon after the turn, you will cross the Cedar River. Look for parking for Landsburg Park on either side of the road, just after the bridge. Related Topics Fall for Salmon: A calendar of salmon-related events Salmon and Trout Topics Cedar River-Lake Washington Watershed

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