Steelhead 101 in Troy: A Canyon, a Community, and a Cause
November 24, 2025
Celebrating Excellence: Highlights From the 2025 Hall of Fame Banquet & Auction
December 12, 2025
A Record-Breaking Egg Delivery Day for North Willamette Fish Eggs to Fry
By James Adkins
This October, volunteers from across the region came together for one of the most exciting days of the year -Fish Eggs to Fry’s annual fall salmon egg delivery event. With coolers in hand and a shared passion for salmon conservation, they helped bring the magic of the salmon lifecycle to classrooms throughout the metro area.
Fish Eggs to Fry is a program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) through the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) and is supported by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (ANWS) in the North Willamette District.
This year’s delivery effort set new program records, thanks in large part to the generosity and dedication of volunteers from ANWS (Tualatin Valley, Sandy, Clackamas River, and Columbia Chapters), ODFW Angler Education, NWF staff, ODFW staff, and STEP volunteers.
Delivering Salmon Science—One Classroom at a Time
In just two days, 32 volunteers and 11 ODFW staff delivered fertilized spring Chinook salmon eggs to 152 classrooms, representing 76% of all participants. In total, a remarkable:
- 201 classrooms participated (a new record), representing 143 schools and community organizations
- Spanning 31 school districts across 6 counties
- Including 41 brand-new classrooms and 71 Title I classrooms
- Engaging 12,998 students directly in hands-on salmon science
- Raising 43,400 spring Chinook salmon eggs from Clackamas Hatchery in 201 classroom aquariums
For many students, this was their first chance to see salmon eggs up close—to witness the first movements of developing fry and to take part in the responsibility of caring for a native species. For educators, it is one of the most anticipated lessons of the school year, anchoring discussions about ecology, watersheds, and stewardship.
A Team Effort Built on Enthusiasm and Preparation
Egg pick-up day at the Clackamas ODFW office (fondly known as “The Barn”) was buzzing with excitement. Before delivery volunteers arrived, ODFW staff and volunteers worked quickly to prepare the eggs for transport. Each classroom would receive approximately 200 eggs. The eggs were gently placed into wet cloth pouches and then placed into a cooler as they waited for the next step in their journey.
Later in the morning, volunteers arrived with coolers, ice packs, nametags, and plenty of questions. After a quick briefing on egg handling, classroom safety, aquarium protocols, and talking points for teachers, ODFW STEP Biologist Buddy Phibbs and NWF Education Manager Morgan Parks, sent volunteers off with their carefully packed fish eggs.
Each was outfitted with a green volunteer folder, updated materials, and instructions for sharing temperature unit (TU) information with teachers to help track hatching timelines.
Whether in rural schools or busy metro classrooms, volunteers delivered the same spark of excitement: the moment when students realize they are caring for future salmon that will one day swim in Oregon rivers.
Celebrating the Stewards of the Future
Throughout the day, volunteers captured photos (with teacher permission), shared stories, and even posed with teachers and school staff.
For Buddy and Morgan—who coordinate the program and provide technical support—this year’s turnout was both inspiring and humbling.
“We truly couldn’t have reached a record number of classrooms without you,” they shared with volunteers after deliveries wrapped up. “Thank you for helping us reach as many youth as possible—our next generation of Salmon Stewards.”
A Lasting Impact
The Fish Eggs to Fry program is more than a classroom lesson—it is a hands-on introduction to conservation values that ripple far beyond the aquarium glass. Each time a student observes an egg develop, watches a fry swim for the first time, or participates in a release event later in the spring, they’re building a lifelong connection to Oregon’s wild fish and rivers.
Classrooms can also dive into the Salmon Stewards initiative, which unites NWF’s Eco-Schools U.S. and ODFW’s Fish Eggs to Fry program to further explore and cultivate conservation ethics, cultural awareness, and place-based learning. Schools can earn Eco-Schools U.S. certification and celebrate Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Green Flag awards for their Salmon Stewards activities.
The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is proud to support this work and deeply grateful to the partners and volunteers who make it possible each year.
Here’s to a successful hatch season—and to thousands of young Salmon Stewards inspired along the way!
How to Get Involved
If you have any trouble with registering please directly contact odfw.volunteerprogram@odfw.oregon.gov for assistance.
ODFW Volunteer Requirements for Fish Eggs to Fry Volunteers:
Part 1: Use ODFW’s online registration form
Select the region you wish to participate in.
Note: This registration form only needs to be completed one time, not yearly. The initial registration form includes reading and attesting to certain policies and trainings, all within the easy online system. After your registration has been received, ODFW staff will contact you with next steps to complete the registration process. These include filling out Driver Certification and Criminal History Check forms which will be provided to you via email once your registration application has been received. These completed forms must be sent to ODFW by fax or mail.
Annual Renewals: Some ODFW policies and forms will require annual renewals and volunteers will be notified if that is the case.
Paper Application: If you would prefer to have a registration onboarding packet (paper copy) mailed to you, please send your name, mailing address, and email address to odfw.volunteerprogram@odfw.oregon.gov. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TAKES LONGER.
Part 1: ODFW's Background Check
Required for all volunteers engaging with the public including working with youth. Background checks are good for up to 8 years! Renewing these checks now will extend the period they are valid and there is no cost to the volunteer.
It takes a couple of weeks for background checks to process, so volunteers are encouraged to fill out the required forms as soon as possible.
A fingerprinting appointment will be required, try to schedule one as soon as possible. The appointment is FREE using the provided code and sites are available throughout Oregon, and beyond.
To perform a new background check, an email from ODFW typically arrives 3-4 days after submitting the registration form. The email is titled “Volunteer Welcome - Complete your application for Fish Eggs to Fry Volunteer.”
