Joshua Vargas and Tevin Thomas Flemons slide out of the mouth of Claudia the Chinook Salmon as part of a Water Festival hosted by Keizer Public Works Tuesday, April 30.
Fifth graders at Hallman Elementary School visited Keizer on April 30 to take part in a Water Festival and learn more about all the work that goes into balancing nature and human activity.
Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, City of Albany, City of Salem, Marion County Environmental Services, City of Corvallis, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the City of Keizer all participated in the event.
Mike Tucker dissected a salmon to teach a lesson in how the fish live.
Rick Boatner of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows off a western painted turtle.
Ted Hart, of Corvallis Public Works, talks with Kaylee Elvira, Galilea Lopez, Diana Tavizon and Kimberly Martinez while they get a feel for the different types of soil in the area. 
Wendy Dircio helps take a soil sample. Photos by Eric A. Howald