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Join our team of volunteers! Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery has year round opportunities for volunteers of all ages. There are a couple of steps to becoming a FISH volunteer:

(1) Fill out our interest form here: Volunteer Interest Form 

(2) FISH will send you paperwork & code of conduct forms, sign you up for our newsletter and add you to our volunteer database.

(3) Attend an orientation (typically during the first week of each month). Orientation includes a hatchery tour and welcome to FISH presentation.


Volunteering is Fun and Rewarding

  • Lead educational hatchery tours to schools, students, families and adults.
  • Assist hatchery staff with salmon spawning (Fall), egg picking (Winter) and ponding (Late Winter).
  • Volunteer at events such as Salmon on Sunset (Sept), Baby Salmon Send Off (Spring) & Salmon Days (First weekend in October).
  • Represent FISH at local schools during their STEM, Sustainability or Science Fairs.
  • Represent FISH at outreach events, on-hatchery outreach booth & FISHop Gift Shop
  • Receive thank you notes from children.
  • Assist education coordinator with salmon themed arts and craft projects, cultural events 
  • Receive free comprehensive training, a guide manual, and FISH guide.
  • Opportunities to shadow FISH docent tours & workshops.
  • Celebrate with us at our volunteer appreciation salmon dinner at the end of the season (December).
  • Know that you are making a difference in your community!

These are a just few of the volunteer opportunities we can offer you!

Education & FISH DOCENTS will also need a background check.

Students are welcome to join us. Please state student intent on the volunteer interest form. 

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2019 Adventure Kids Outreach Booth
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Please complete the Volunteer Interest Form and you will be contacted to arrange a personal interview. Our FREE FISH training orientations offer a great way to meet other volunteers, understand the hatchery and tours and give options for shadowing activities.

DOCENT TOUR TRAINING INCLUDES:
  • Instructions on how to interact with students, chaperones, and other visitors, utilizing inquiry-based communications
  • Hatchery tour tips and tricks, frequently asked questions.
  • Networking with other experienced and new volunteers
  • Presentation about the salmon lifecycle.
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Volunteer Requirements & Responsibilities
  • Attend training session.
  • Provide pertinent and interesting information to hatchery visitors of varied ages and interests.
  • Encourage educational exchanges while on-site and be able to lead school children, if necessary.
  • Help with science and STEM fairs at schools.
  • Help with events at the hatchery during Salmon Days, the 1st weekend of October.
  • Help at events where FISH will be represented
  • Apply personal skills and interests, as appropriate.
  • Stay current on watershed, salmon, and hatchery updates and issues.
  • Be open to learning, teaching, and friendship.
  • Agree to and pass a Washington State Patrol criminal background check.
  • Commit to an average of 8 hours per month, typically in 2- or 4-hour shifts, September through mid-November, is generally a busier time. 
  • Agree to FISH and hatchery policies and procedures.
  • Teen volunteers are required to have a responsible adult on-site at the hatchery at all times.
Become a FISH Docent
Benefits
  • Reduced rates on rental of the Watershed Science Center
  • A personal feeling of achievement knowing you are educating children and adults about salmon and watershed health and creating future watershed stewards
  • Knowledge about salmon and sharing that knowledge with others
  • Opportunities to meet others with an interest in salmon, habitat and our watersheds
  • A volunteer appreciation salmon dinner at the end of the season
  • Colorful and touching thank you notes from children
  • Free comprehensive training, manual, and FISH guide shadowing
  • Knowledge that you are making a difference in your community!

To find out more about becoming a FISH docent, contact education@issaquahfish.org or 425.392.1118, or fill out the volunteer interest form.

 Volunteer Interest Form