Benton Conservation District has been inspiring young minds for 26 years (and counting!) through its annual Salmon Summit event.
Each spring, local elementary school students gather at Columbia Park in Kennewick to release salmon they've raised in their classrooms into the Columbia River. Alongside this unforgettable experience, students participate in engaging educational activities that deepen their connection to conservation and the natural world.
This year, Benton Conservation District’s dedication was nationally recognized when they received the Outstanding Stewards of America's Waters Award for Public Education from the National Hydropower Association.
This event’s success is a testament to the amazing partnership between the district, the local educational community, sponsors, and volunteers. Thank you, Benton Conservation District, for educating the next generation of conservationists!
In an arid landscape dominated by dryland grain production and rangeland, this pilot focuses on reducing soil loss, improving water availability, and supporting habitat health. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient working lands under changing conditions.
In a working lands landscape shaped by dryland farming, grazing, and irrigated agriculture, this pilot focuses on reducing erosion, keeping soil on the land, and improving stream and habitat conditions. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient farms and healthy watersheds.
Within a productive agricultural landscape shaped by dairy and crop production, this pilot focuses on improving water quality, managing nutrients, and reducing flood risks. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation supports both farm viability and long-term watershed health.
