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Writer's pictureThe Salmon School

Our first season of eDNA sampling — Bacon Creek, Rockport, WA

Updated: Jul 31

Sampling was conducted by volunteers from Glacier Peak Institute, in partnership with The Salmon School, and in support of the eDNA work of Dr. Sarah Brown, WDFW.


Species we uncovered in Bacon Creek

Ascaphus truei – Coastal tailed frog

Coregonus clupeaformis – Lake whitefish

Cottus cognatus – Slimy sculpin

Dicamptodon tenebrosus – Coastal giant salamander

Oncorhynchus clarkii – Cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha – Pink salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch – Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus mykiss – Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus nerka – Sockeye salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha – Chinook salmon

Prosopium williamsoni – Mountain whitefish

Rhinichthys cataractae – Longnose dace

Salvelinus alpinus – Arctic char

Salvelinus malma – Dolly Varden trout


Glacier Peak Institute (GPI) is an organization that helps kids in rural areas strengthen their communities and environment through hands-on learning in science, technology, art, and outdoor activities. Rural communities have faced tough times, with school cuts, more poverty, and overall fewer opportunities. But The Salmon School activities offer these youth the exciting opportunity to be scientists, artists, and conservationists.


As part of The Salmon School’s education program, Oak Rankin of GPI brought local youth from nearby rural communities to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) on the Sauk and Skagit Rivers — with a special focus on Bacon Creek, a tributary of the Skagit. Scientists are able to analyze the eDNA to identify what species are present — and then use that information to help them understand how healthy a river is, and how to protect it in the future.


The eDNA analysis of Bacon Creek revealed many different types of fish, such as Chinook, Coho, Rainbow trout/Steelhead, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, sculpin, Sockeye, Cutthroat trout, and whitefish. This variety of fish represents the river’s biodiversity — the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Some of the fish that appeared, like Chinook and Bull trout, are listed as threatened or endangered by federal or state agencies.


By involving these kids in the project, they are not only learning to take care of their local environment, but also helping collect important data. Through The Salmon School, these kids are discovering new possibilities and dreams. Some of these early participants are now in university — studying eDNA and environmental sciences, and working in conservation.



Oak Rankin with Glacier Peak Institute youth collecting eDNA on Bacon Creek

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