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SALMON PROTECTION AND WATERSHED NETWORK
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SPAWNING SALMON ON A Spawning salmon have been spotted all of December 2004 in the Lagunitas Watershed in West Marin County. The public is invited to come on a creek walk with one of SPAWN's Creek Naturalists to view spawning salmon. Visitors will learn about the fascinating life history of endangered salmon, the stream ecosystem, and the impacts that this and other species face in the Lagunitas Watershed.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER NATURALIST Learn
about the Coho Salmon’s Life History Join this highly successful program that has allowed hundreds of people to marvel at the magnificent return of the coho salmon to the Lagunitas Watershed in Marin County. Through a training session of two evening seminars, readings from a specially prepared workbook and 2 field trainings, participants will learn about the natural history of coho salmon, steelhead trout and other species in the Lagunitas Watershed and the threats to these species and their critical habitat. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of the art of “nature interpretation” and will become equipped to share their newfound knowledge with the public. The season runs November- January,
when participants will lead creek walks to view spawning and migrating
salmon in the San Geronimo Valley, West Marin County, CA and/or
occupy viewing stations to share information with the public and/or
classes of students. There is a $50 fee for the class but if naturalists
devote 12 hours to educating the public through the program they
will receive a $25 stipend at the end of the season. Classroom Training: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7-9 pm Wednesday, Nov 5, 7-9 pm Field Training: Sunday, October 26, 2003 9–1:30 pm/ 2-4 Creek Restoration Project Sunday, November 16, 2003 9–4:30 pm *All Trainings will meet at the San Geronimo Valley Cultural Center at 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., (5 miles west of Fairfax) Apply for the Fall 2003 training now! Call Reuven Walder at SPAWN 488-0370 x 102 or email: New
Brochure and Map Detailing Fish Protectors Include Tips on How to View Salmon Without Disturbing Them Forest Knolls, Marin County - Today, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, better known as SPAWN, announced the release of a new educational brochure that shows the interested public the best places to view threatened coho salmon and steelhead trout. The brochure provides a map detailing the best sites to view salmon, provides directions and descriptions of four viewing areas, information on how to identify salmon and steelhead, and recommended viewing tips to ensure the protection of these magnificent creatures. “Once the first heavy winter rains come, we can expect to begin seeing coho,” said Reuven Walder, Watershed Biologist with SPAWN. “This brochure will not only show people where to see salmon, but also provides proper etiquette on how to view them responsibly.” Endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout populations are down by 90% in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed in West Marin. They enter Lagunitas Creek, San Geronimo Creek, and several tributaries through Tomales Bay to spawn after the first heavy rains of the fall in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed and enter Redwood Creek (Muir Woods) directly from the Pacific Ocean. Fish have been sighted from September to January, with spawning normally peaking in December in the Lagunitas Watershed. Steelhead trout spawn later, usually from December to February. “We hope viewing the salmon will encourage more people to volunteer their time and resources to protecting these magnificent creatures. Volunteers, from all walks of life, are the heart of our conservation efforts,” added Walder. In fact, the new brochure was designed for free by Marin County-based graphic designer Steven Lyons. The Salmon and Watershed Protection Network is a non-profit organization that works to protect endangered coho salmon, steelhead trout, and the creeks in the Lagunitas Watershed through education, restoration, advocacy, strategic litigation, and monitoring. SPAWN offers naturalist-led creek walks, sponsors forums, and publishes a newsletter. SPAWN also trains volunteer StreamKeepers to conduct spawning salmon surveys, monitor water quality, and lead fish rescue and relocation. SPAWN is supported by tax-deductible contributions by individuals and through grants. To receive a free brochure, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to SPAWN, PO Box 400, Forest Knolls, CA 94933. To learn more:
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