December 8, 2004
The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) is situated in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed of West Marin. Here, at the southern edge of the Pacific Northwest, we are working to protect, restore and cherish the largest remaining population of wild coho salmon in California. We hope you'll join us in this exciting work!
In 2004 a milestone was reached when the 10,000th baby salmon was saved from drying creeks! A 2 1/2" coho was the lucky fish. Since 1999, SPAWN members have rescued young salmon from certain death in creeks that run dry in summer.
As we go to press, scores of coho and some chinook are congregated in deep pools waiting for the next significant rainstorm event to begin spawning. We will then begin our annual spawning surveys. (To see the chum salmon we spotted last year go to http://www.spawnusa.org/salmon_update.html).
In November, SPAWN began naturalist-led creek walks for the public twice every Saturday and Sunday to see spawning salmon. Call SPAWN's coho hotline at 415/488-0370 to reserve a space or learn more about where the fish have been seen.
Plans for improved fish migration is near completion. Prunuske Chatham is completing plans for SPAWN for six culvert replacements/repairs to improve upstream and downstream salmon migration. SPAWN is now seeking funds to complete the repairs.
Meet our new watershed biologist: Paola Bouley. Paola graduated from UCSC with a B.S. in Marine Biology (with honors ) in 2002, and received her master's degree in Ecology at The Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies and San Francisco State University in December, 2004. She has been an avid volunteer for SPAWN and many other non-profits and has worked as a field biologist, native plant nursery technician, and education and outreach specialist. Welcome, Paola!
SPAWN's former watershed biologist Reuven Walder has moved to the East Coast with his family to work on global environmental issues.
Creek Protection Lawsuit Victory:
A Superior Court Judge ruled that Marin County was in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act when it approved construction of a 3,649 square foot house plus a 768 square foot garage just 20 feet from San Geronimo Creek. SPAWN is pushing the County to conduct a "cumulative impact analysis" to determine if current loss of riparian habitat has exceeded the coho's ability to recover from endangered status.
SPAWN's riparian zone restorations on the San Geronimo Golf Course is adding much-needed shade along San Geronimo Creek at Roy's Pool. The course has agreed to expand the areas we can restore to additional sections of the greens. SPAWN sponsored native plant collection seminars and is currently growing out plants for future projects. Additionally, volunteer and Green MBA candidate Dylan Hayes has developed a plan for SPAWN for a native plant nursery in Lagunitas Watershed.
This winter, SPAWN's volunteer water quality monitoring program, funded
by the State Water Resources Control Board, will expand its current testing for fecal coliform, nitrites/nitrates and phosphates to include testing of water for pesticides too.
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Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2004