Cedar River Naturalist Program provides interpreters to Hispanic community

2005 Archived News

October is prime time for King County's Cedar River Salmon Journey, where spawning sockeye salmon take center stage as they return to spawn and complete the lifecycle.

This year, King County's Cedar Naturalist Program is offering its first bilingual program for Spanish-speaking citizens who are interested in learning more about the salmon but are not fluent in English.

On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a Spanish language program on the annual salmon migration will be at three locations along the Cedar River. Interpreters and naturalists who are fluent in Spanish will describe the annual fall journey that salmon make every year as the fish migrate from the Pacific Ocean into Puget Sound, through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington, then finally into the river where they spawn and die.

Programs in English are set for Oct. 22, 23 and 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors can see salmon from the bridge at the Renton Library while learning about the changes humans have made to the river. At Cavanaugh Pond, a 30- minute walking tour includes the pond and fish weir. Naturalists will also be on hand farther upriver at Landsburg Park, where visitors can learn about the City of Seattle's water supply and a new fish-passage ladder that allows some salmon access into the high-quality habitat of the upper Cedar River.

Charlotte Spang, King County volunteer manager, said the pilot effort to provide presentations in Spanish is in direct response to volunteer requests and the need to better serve the diverse population of our region.

"By getting the word out in Spanish, we are taking the first step in educating our whole community about the importance of the Cedar River and the salmon that depend on it," Spang said.

Now in its eighth year, the Cedar River Salmon Journey program offers a unique salmon viewing experience at each of the three sites. Visitors can see salmon from the bridge at the Renton Library while learning about the changes humans have made to the river. At Cavanaugh Pond, a 30 minute walking tour includes the pond and fish weir.

Program sponsors include the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Public Utilities, the City of Renton and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

More information is available at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/cedar-river-journey.htm, or by contacting Spang at 206-296-8359, or charlotte.spang@kingcounty.gov .

Directions: These sites have limited parking, and carpooling is encouraged.

Renton Library

Take I-405 to Exit 4 to State Route 169. Coming from south: keep left at fork in the ramp. Merge into Southeast Maple Valley Highway and go under I-405. Road makes slight left, becoming Bronson (Liberty Park on the left). Cross the Cedar River and take an immediate left at the ‘Y' onto Mill Avenue South. Turn left at four-way stop into the library parking lot (100 Mill St.). Coming from north: After taking Exit 4, go through the first light on Sunset Blvd. Turn slight right onto Bronson (Liberty Park on the left). Proceed as above.

Cavanaugh Pond

Located on the north side of State Route 169 (Maple Valley Highway) 4.5 miles east of I-405. It is immediately adjacent the Riverbend Mobile Home Court and less than one mile east of the 149th Avenue Southeast intersection. Watch for the fish signs, then follow posted parking instructions or directions from on-site naturalist about where to park.

Landsburg Park

Follow Hwy. 169 southeast from I-405 until you reach Kent-Kangley Rd. (Hwy. 516) at the Four Corners Shopping Center (about 2 miles south of the Hwy. 18 interchange). Turn east onto Kent-Kangley Rd and go less than ½ mile. Take the next left (north) onto Summit-Landsburg Rd; continue for several miles. At the stop sign, turn left (north) onto Landsburg Rd (also called 276th Ave SE.) and head downhill about ¼ mile. Cross the Cedar River and look for parking lots on either side of the road.