Willow Creek Salmon & Watershed Education Center
The Willow Creek Salmon & Watershed Education Center (WCSWEC) is located in Edmonds, WA and features a micro-hatchery, community rental classroom, and short walking trails along Willow Creek. This facility relies on volunteers to operate and engages community members in salmon recovery efforts. Each year, 80,000 Coho salmon are raised at this facility and released into the Lake Washington Watershed. If you are interested in volunteering at the hatchery, contact Kaelie Spencer, the hatchery program manager at kaelie@soundsalmonsolutions.org .
No matter the season, the WCSWEC is a beautiful place to visit. This is a public park open to anyone to enjoy, however we ask that any groups over 5 people reach out to the hatchery manager to ensure that the space is available as we run a lot of programs in the Spring and Summer. The building may not be open when you visit, but the grounds are public property and a great place to observe birds and there is a good chance you can see coho salmon either in the pond or in Willow Creek which flows nearby.
You can reach the hatchery manager here: kaelie@soundsalmonsolutions.org
The WCSWEC also posts events on its Facebook page!
WCSWEC CLassroom Rental
Did you know you can rent the classroom at the hatchery? If you are interested in renting our community classroom to host an event or meeting, click below to see our rates and make a reservation!
Programs
SSS provides educational experiences at the WCSWEC for all ages about salmon, their life cycle, and their interdependent relationship with humans in the watersheds we share. Please submit any inquiries about educational programming via our Education Program page.
Salmon in schools
The Salmon in Schools program is a unique opportunity that brings salmon directly into the classroom for students to observe the first three life stages first-hand. The salmon eggs are brought into the classroom in early January, and they are released as fry at the WCSWEC in March during a field trip. The field trip dives into all aspects of salmon, such as the threats salmon face in our watersheds, the salmon life cycle, hatchery operations, and local macroinvertebrates (or salmon food). Please note our Salmon in Schools program is at capacity for the 23-24 school year.
Interested in finding out more about field trips to WCSWEC or about raising salmon in your classroom? Please complete the form below.
Please note we are currently at capacity for our Salmon in Schools program for the 24-25 school year. We recommend contacting us now if you are interested in Salmon in Schools for the 25-26 school year to get on the waitlist. Our capacity each year is always funding dependant.