Hey, small fry

Salmon release kicks off season at Tillamook Forest Center

By Chelsea Yarnell

For the TODAY

Salmon have always been an important symbol of the Pacific Northwest. For most people, there’s a connection through memories of fishing or a culinary experience. Sometimes, the species needs a helping hand as few salmon make it back upstream to spawn, reproduce and complete the life cycle.

Experience the release of baby steelhead salmon for yourself during the Tillamook Forest Center’s Steelhead Release Walk this Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11. Each session will start with a short presentation about the underwater oasis of these dynamic fish at 11 am each day. Then, visitors will be guided to Jones Creek to release the tiny fry. The event is free and open to the public.

“We give some background information about the fish, where they’re at in their life cycle, and the journey that they’re about to start on,” said Natalie Sanman, statewide interpretation coordinator for the Tillamook Forest Center. “The fish themselves come from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon Trout Enhancement Program. We work with them to get the eggs and raise them in a tank here. Once they’re ready, we get to host the fish release walk.”

The release location at Jones Creek feeds into the Wilson River. In the Tillamook State Forest, salmon live in the cool, clear rivers that run through the Coast Range.

Tillamook Forest Center salmon releases take place twice a year and are a sought-after experience with upwards of 100 people attending each event. Each guest (or family group if attendance is high), receives a small cup with a single fry.

“It’s really fun to release a baby fish and watch it start its little journey in the stream,” Sanman said. “The fish in that stage are only a few inches long. A lot of people like to name their fish and wish it well before they release it. People don’t always have the opportunity to have that close interaction with nature.”

As summer ramps up and staffing fluctuates, the Tillamook Forest Center shifts focus from special event programing (mostly planned for spring and fall seasons), to operating the main part of the center.

“Part of that is because all [staff] are employees of the Oregon Department of Forestry,” Sanman. “We all have a line item in our duty statement that we support the wildland firefighting efforts. People here do go out and support by doing duties such as base camp logistics or unit coordinators. We tend to get pretty swamped in the summer with visitors, but then also have staff in and out on fire assignments.”

The Tillamook Forest Center is the region’s largest forest-based learning center and outdoor classroom facility, located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest.

“The Tillamook Forest Center tells the story of the historic Tillamook burn, the public spirit behind the monumental reforestation effort that left a permanent mark on Oregon history, and how it shaped sustainable forest management today,” Sanman said.

Through innovative programs and hands-on exhibits in the 13,500 square-foot center, visitors can gain a greater understanding about what a forest is, how it works, and forest history. “Most of the Tillamook State Forest has been hand replanted and we tell that unique story,” Sanman said. “From the past, before logging started, and then the fires, and into present day about how the forest is managed.”

A 15-minute film highlighting the Tillamook Forest can be viewed at the Tillamook Forest Center, and visitors can also climb the replica lookout tower or travel the footbridge across the Wilson River to access a large trail system.

“The lookout tower is set up to look like what it would have been like to live there as your summer job,” Sanman said. “Immediately around the Tillamook Forest Center we have flat, compressed, ADA-accessible trails that are really popular. There’s plenty to do in a day out here,”

The Tillamook Forest Center is located at 45500 Wilson River Highway, 26 miles east of Tillamook. Admission is by $5 suggested donation. For a calendar of upcoming programs, or more information about visiting, go to tillamookforestcenter.org.