On a gray, drizzly morning at the end of October, a small fleet of volunteers departed the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) forested campus. Each carried a cooler … Read more
Morgan Parks’s Archive

When it Rains it Pours: Families Hooked on Fishing
The weather on the morning of April 30th, 2022 was indecisive. Patches of blue sky and sun dared everyone to hope that the torrential rain forecasted for the day might … Read more

Delivering Schools of Salmon
“So you’re the Egg Lady”, was the greeting I received as I entered Corbett Elementary School on a bright but cold November afternoon. I had called ahead to inform the … Read more

Hooked on Family Fishing: Casting Through Environmental Barriers
It is lightly drizzling as I pull into the parking lot at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale, Oregon. The inaugural Hooked on Family Fishing Day hosted by the Association of … Read more

Fish Eggs to Fry Zooms into Virtual Classrooms
As I walk into the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office, I am nervous, but excited. It is my very first egg delivery day and I have spent a … Read more

Got Salmon Eggs?
“The eggs are here,” a third grader whispers excitedly to his friend as they walk into the classroom. The buzz travels throughout the classroom and stops as the teacher brings … Read more

Buzzworthy Mason Bee Condos
Schools can “bee” a friend to native pollinators with this classroom DIY project. By making mason bee condos using recycled materials, you can teach kids about the nesting habitats and … Read more

A Fun Furlough at Family Fish Camp
Cabins tucked away in a serene forest next to one of Oregon’s most beautiful rivers? Check. A pond stocked with over 500 rainbow trout? Check. Families giddy with excitement about … Read more

Salmon Stewards: Seasons of Growth
“Fish are like trees! ” exclaimed Melody, a 3rd grader who is now also an enthusiastic Salmon Steward at Carus Elementary. She’s referring to the unexpected discovery she made when peering … Read more
Crafting for Critters: Holiday Habitat
Mornings are crisp and the days colorful. Everything is alive, twirling and swirling in the breeze. Spices scent the air, the last harvest is reaped, and gardens go dormant with … Read more