Hey it's Sarai one last time (well, for this story)! So near our neighborhood is the Sacramento River, and in the fall, salmon come up the river to lay eggs. Some families in the Pocket go fishing for salmon, and my father lets me come sometimes. I don't catch many fish, but I learn so much about the water and the animals.

My father says salmon are important because they bring nutrients to the river, and when they die, the plants and trees use them to grow. He also says we have to be careful not to take too many fish so there will always be salmon for the next year. I listen really hard because I want to protect the river.

“Stewardship means taking care of nature.”
— Sarai Moten, age 8

My sister Alani loves watching the fish jump, even though she's too little to fish yet. My father says when she's older, she can come too. We always let the small fish go back in the water because they need to grow. That's called stewardship, which means taking care of nature.

I think all kids in the Pocket should come fishing with their families at least once. You learn about science, and you also learn how to be kind to the earth. The Sacramento River is special, and I'm glad it's right here in my neighborhood. My father and sister Alani and I will keep coming back every year to see the salmon and protect our river.

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Sarai Moten is a staff reporter at The Kid Reporter based in Sacramento, CA. To read more of her work, visit the newsroom →