Join us in the Eastern Sierra

Do you have a passion for native trout, the eastern Sierra, camping and working outdoors? CalTrout is looking for volunteers to assist with field-based fisheries work in the eastern Sierra on a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout recovery project. This is a super unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fish sampling methods, data collection, and applied fisheries management and restoration.

This opportunity would be excellent for:

• Students in fisheries programs who are looking to gain experience or electrofishing hours
• Early career restoration practitioners interested in getting more hands-on experience
• Anyone who loves being outdoors and is excited about having a direct positive impact in critical habitat restoration

About the project

This project involves field-based fisheries work in the eastern Sierra, assisting CalTrout on a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout recovery project. This project involves the use of a novel dewatering technique, properly utilizing electrofishing backpacks, and identifying native fish from the Walker River Basin including Lahontan Cutthroat trout (LCT) and non-native trout like Brook trout. This is a non-native trout removal project, which means that non-native fish will be culled from the system for the restoration of native trout and fish like LCT. Slinkard Creek offers up a diverse and picturesque ecosystem along the high deserts of the Eastern Sierra.

Volunteers will be joining our hitch crews for 4 days of remote camping to conduct field work near the Walker Basin in Mono County. This opportunity requires a high level of comfort and resilience in the outdoors, with long days spent in the field in exposed terrain and camping at night. We are looking for volunteers who can carry up to 40 lbs. while working in remote rugged terrain. Volunteers need to provide their own camping supplies and food, although we’re happy to help procure extra gear that you might need. 

We believe that community stewardship supports well-tended landscapes, and we’re excited to include our community in these meaningful opportunities! We’re excited to offer opportunities that get hands in the water and eyes on fish. 

We’re looking for up to three volunteers per hitch – help us spread the word, or grab your friends and join us. See you in the field!

Dates: 
August 7-10
August 21–24
September 4–7
September 18–21
October 2-5

For more information, or to sign up to join us for this opportunity email Sierra Project Manager Marrina Nation mnation@caltrout.org. In your email please include the dates you’re interested in, information about any experience you might have with fieldwork (not required), and your comfort level with working in rough terrain and camping in remote settings. 

Learn more about CalTrout’s work for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout recovery here.