When it comes to connecting people with California's remarkable migratory fish, sometimes you need to dive right in! That's exactly what we did this month with two dynamic events that brought our Migration Matters campaign to life – from the virtual realm to the banks of a living, breathing creek.
Our inaugural Migration Matters webinar brought together over 60 participants for an engaging virtual session featuring expert insights from CalTrout’s very own Dr. Sandra Jacobson, Dr. Jacob Katz, and James Whelan. These specialists illuminated the intricate relationship between fish migration and human communities, demonstrating how healthy ecosystems benefit us all. If you missed the webinar, don't worry – a recording is available below to watch at your convenience.
The weekend prior, we hosted our first-ever Sausal Creek Salmon Stroll in Oakland, which drew over 30 enthusiastic participants eager to learn about Bay Area salmonids. The hands-on experience included an interactive steelhead lifecycle activity, where participants stepped into the shoes (or fins) of migrating fish – complete with a crowned "survivor!" The event offered valuable insights into local watersheds and ongoing monitoring efforts throughout California.
It's energizing to live and work alongside people that share our same curiosity and wonder about local watersheds and fish. The engaging discussions and thoughtful questions at both events showcase why we do this work – to protect what we love! Thank you for making us proud to be part of the California community, one that cares so deeply about creating a healthier state for the fish, water, and people.
Check out our upcoming events and get them on your calendar for more fish-filled fun! Learn more about Migration Matters by reading one of our blogs or watching one of our videos!
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.