“The mission of Salmon Safe is to have the water that’s entering the campus leave either in a neutral state or a better state then it came into campus,” said John Benson, grounds and nursery service specialist.
He said efforts to rehabilitate areas of campus have been going on for years, but the Salmon Safe distinction is giving more attention to the project.
From bank stabilization to removing noxious plants, Benson said the efforts will pay off in the long run.
“It’s paramount to show that we are able to be stewards and do something positive for the environment above and beyond our practices of the past,” he said.
In addition to demonstrating stewardship, WSUV also is in a unique position to educate others about it, Benson said. School groups regularly come to the creek to help clean, while learning about ecology in the process, he said.
“It’s about getting together with these groups that are already doing portions and trying to focus here – the place we work,” he said.