Students Restore Ohop Creek's Salmon Habitat

By Julia Fregonara of Nisqually River Education Project

Another crisp fall morning dawns in the Ohop Valley as Nisqually River Education Project (NREP) staff eagerly await the arrival of a school bus. When it pulls up, dozens of students spill out, forming a circle to receive their instructions for the day: restoring the delicate riparian habitat near Ohop Creek by planting native trees and shrubs.

This creek has been the focus of a multi-decade restoration effort, led by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and their partners at the Nisqually Land Trust. The Nisqually River Foundation supports this work by recruiting student volunteers through NREP’s partnerships with local schools. This past November and December, more than 1,800 students—ranging from fourth graders to college students—helped plant an impressive 2,300 native trees and shrubs.

Each planting trip begins with an introduction to the area and their mission for the day. NREP staff stress the importance of planting trees correctly—after all, a single well-planted tree that thrives is far more beneficial to salmon than a dozen hastily planted ones that don’t survive their first year. Many students come prepared, having already learned about riparian restoration in classroom visits led by NREP Environmental Educators Alex and Colbi. They take pride in demonstrating their knowledge, eagerly listing the five key ways trees support salmon habitat:

  • Fallen leaves create habitat for stream bugs—aka salmon food!

  • Root systems stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

  • Photosynthesis produces oxygen, which diffuses into the water, helping salmon breathe.

  • Tree canopies provide shade, keeping water cool and comfortable for salmon.

  • Fallen branches and logs create slow-moving pools where salmon can rest.

Once introductions wrap up, it’s time to gear up. Gloves, jackets, boots, and shovels—provided by NREP—ensure students stay warm and dry, even in the November rain. Excitement builds as they grab their tools and head into the field. After a quick demonstration on proper planting technique, students disperse, searching for the perfect plant to choose. The plants are pre-positioned according to a carefully designed plan—species that thrive in clusters are grouped together, while taller trees are kept clear of power lines and roads.

The first step- clearing the planting area of grass- quickly proves more challenging than expected. “You made it look easy!” is a common refrain as students struggle to break through the tough grass layer. With some encouragement—and the reminder that NREP staff have plenty of practice and are here to help—students soon find their rhythm. After the hole is dug, they use “Tree-P-R” (gently compressing the pot’s sides like CPR), to ease the plant out, nestle it into its new home, and carefully crumble the soil clods to help its roots spread. Finally, they complete the process by “dancing” around the sapling to gently tamp down the soil.

As the day wraps up, students gather in a closing circle to reflect on their work and how it made them feel. Each chooses a single word to sum up their experience. Some go with the obvious—“cold” or “muddy”—and they aren’t wrong! Others take a deeper approach, offering words like “powerful” and “helpful.” And, of course, there’s always a classic favorite: “fun.”

Beyond the hard work and fun in the field, these planting trips foster a deep connection between students and their local environment. As they dig, plant, and get their hands dirty, they gain a firsthand understanding of what it takes to restore and protect a watershed. Many leave with a newfound appreciation for the role they play in caring for their environment, excited to share their experience with family and friends. These moments of learning and stewardship are at the heart of NREP’s mission—empowering young people to become active participants in conservation. 

None of this work would be possible without the leadership of the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Nisqually Land Trust, whose dedication has been instrumental in restoring Ohop Creek and the broader Nisqually watershed. Their vision and commitment to salmon recovery continue to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Thanks to their efforts—and the thousands of students who lend a helping hand each year—this landscape is being transformed into a thriving habitat where salmon, wildlife, and people can flourish for generations to come.

Students in the Science Club at Cougar Mountain Middle School with their newly planted tree.

Students from Shining Mountain Elementary show off their muddy gloves- proof they were working hard!

Rain didn’t stop students from Nisqually Middle School from having fun with their tree.

Eatonville Middle School students pose with their new snowberry plant!

Yelm Middle School students evaluate how much dirt is still needed to finish their tree.

What did we plant?

〰️ Vine Maple

〰️ Big Leaf Maple

〰️ Red Alder

〰️ Serviceberry

〰️ Black Hawthorne

〰️ Oregon Ash

〰️ Ocean Spray

〰️ Tall Oregon Grape

〰️ Western Red Cedar

〰️ Mock Orange

〰️ Pacific Nine Bark

〰️ Sitka Spruce

〰️ Black Cottonwood

〰️ Douglas Fir

〰️ Red Flowering Currant

〰️ Nootka Rose

〰️ Clustered Wild Rose

〰️ Scouler’s Willow

〰️ Red Elderberry

〰️ Rose Spirea

〰️ Snowberry

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