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December
12, 2002
New
Brochure and Map Detailing
Where to See Salmon in Marin Now Available
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:
- call the Salmon Phone Hotline 415-488-0370 for
up-to-date information on best places to see salmon on weekly
basis; or
- attend a naturalist-led creek walk to see spawning
salmon. To get information on these walks, send an email message
to spawn@spawnusa.org or call 415 488 0370 ext. 102.
To learn more, please go to www.spawnusa.org
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