Salmon Protection And Watershed Network, (SPAWN)
SPAWN 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 spawning coho creek walks, conducts spawning surveys, provides docent training, sponsors forums, maintains an educational website (www.spawnusa.org), and publishes a newsletter and action alerts.
Description:
The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN) works to protect threatened coho salmon and steelhead and the environment on which we all depend. The protection of these keystone species leads to the protection of all the wildlife of our community, and indeed the protection of ourselves and our land.
Healthy fish populations mean that our streams run strong and clear, that valuable topsoil is not washing off our hillsides, that our stream banks are not eroding away, that poisonous pesticides are not being sprayed in the air and land and that our own wastes are broken down into inert organic materials.
SPAWN uses a multi-faceted approach to accomplish our mission, including grassroots action, habitat restoration, policy development, environmental education, collaboration with other organization, media campaigns and litigation.
History:
In 1997 SPAWN was founded in order to raise awareness of the Creek's importance through the use of the Media.
In 1998, it begun FIRST-EVER SPAWNING SURVEYS IN SAN GERONIMO VALLEY TRIBUTARIES. The number of known spawners increased by approximately 10% per year.
In 1999, it completed a three-year project to transform Roy's Dam into Roy's Pools in coalition with other nonprofits, businesses and individuals.
In 1999, it began conducting Fish Rescue and Relocation. To date, over 10,000 juvenile coho and steelhead saved.
In 2000, it co-sponsored Salmon festival with San Geronimo Valley Cultural Center.
in 2000, SPAWN created successful docent training program for Salmon Spawning Walks. To date, over 70 Stream Naturalists trained and and approximately 1000 people/year attend the program.
In 2000, SPAWN documented non-native predatory fish species in a creek. It then organized a 'fish derby' removal event.
In 2001, SPAWN organized volunteers with SP Taylor Park to remove visitor-created rock dams in spawning habitat. This has become an annual event.
In 2001, SPAWN wrote a report of fish-friendly management recommendations for S.P. Taylor State Park at their request.
In 2002, it completed a comprehensive Salmon Migration Barrier report for San Geronimo Valley.
In 2003, SPAWN began a volunteer water quality monitoring for the Regional Water Quality Control Board grant.
In 2003, SPAWN repaired Larsen Creek Culvert baffles to improve fish passage.
Contact people:
Main office number:
(415) 663-8590 ext. 102
Address:
Web Site: http://www.SPAWNUSA.org
| Last updated on January 27, 2010 |
