Thousands of Treasure Valley fifth graders will learn about the importance of salmon to the Idaho ecosystem this week during Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Days at the MK Nature Center in Boise.
The yearly tradition has been going strong for 20 years, giving kids an up close look at the fish and learning about their life cycle, migration patterns, and effects on the ecosystem in the Gem State.
The three-day event will see 2,500 fifth graders from elementary school around the Treasure Valley.
"We have so many schools want to be a part of this we have to turn people away!" Martha Sliney said. "In 20 years, we've educated 50,000 kids about Steelheads in the area."
The event is a collaboration between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Kids hear presentations from a representative with the Nez Perce tribe, and go through a maze obstacle course, demonstrating the difficulty steelheads have trying to find their way back to streams and rivers in the Treasure Valley.
