Seven hours of driving can take you through radically different biomes in this vast state. From my starting point in the East Bay, I traveled north through inland oak savanna and triple digits before being enveloped by a familiar fog in Crescent City, bringing the temperatures down by a staggering 40 degrees. I then turned east and watched the temperature gauge rise once again as I coasted through the dappled light and shadows of some of the biggest trees on Earth. I was lost in thought. How incredibly lucky am I – are all Californians - to live in an area of the world with so much left to enjoy, protect, restore, and steward?
It was my first time driving to the North Coast of California, and I had no idea what to expect. CalTrout staff were coming together from all corners of the state for our annual summer retreat in mid-August. I pulled in to the driveway of Rock Creek Ranch, a property along the Smith River owned by the Smith River Alliance. Gravel crunched under my tires, the only sound punctuating the utter silence of the place. As I stepped out of the car and stretched, it took my ears a few moments to adjust. The sounds of civilization had been stripped away. The wind sighed through the pines overhead, a distant cry of a bird echoed, and an undercurrent of steady moving water flowed through my ears. I felt my muscles relax and took a deep breath.
Rock Creek Ranch is tucked snugly in a canyon against the viridian waters of the only free-flowing river in California. The Smith River Alliance graciously hosted our team to come together "on a sweeping bend of the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Smith River, in the spectacular Redwood country of Northern California”.
I arrived in the evening, finding most of my colleagues’ tents already set up. I went about setting up my spot, not expecting any weather, haphazardly throwing my rainfly on top just in case. Over 40 of our staff congregated together for a lovely dinner made by our incredible chefs at Bristol Catering and Events (thanks for the amazing food!).
It was my first time driving to the North Coast of California, and I had no idea what to expect. CalTrout staff were coming together from all corners of the state for our annual summer retreat in mid-August. I pulled in to the driveway of Rock Creek Ranch, a property along the Smith River owned by the Smith River Alliance. Gravel crunched under my tires, the only sound punctuating the utter silence of the place. As I stepped out of the car and stretched, it took my ears a few moments to adjust. The sounds of civilization had been stripped away. The wind sighed through the pines overhead, a distant cry of a bird echoed, and an undercurrent of steady moving water flowed through my ears. I felt my muscles relax and took a deep breath.
Rock Creek Ranch is tucked snugly in a canyon against the viridian waters of the only free-flowing river in California. The Smith River Alliance graciously hosted our team to come together "on a sweeping bend of the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Smith River, in the spectacular Redwood country of Northern California”.
I arrived in the evening, finding most of my colleagues’ tents already set up. I went about setting up my spot, not expecting any weather, haphazardly throwing my rainfly on top just in case. Over 40 of our staff congregated together for a lovely dinner made by our incredible chefs at Bristol Catering and Events (thanks for the amazing food!).
CalTrout staff gather at the Smith River Alliance's Rock Creek Ranch
A village of tents beneath the trees
In the middle of the night, light flashed behind my eyelids, followed by a crack of thunder and I jolted awake. Checking my watch, I had only been asleep a few hours. Another flash, followed by another, and another, and then the rain came pouring down. I had never been more grateful for a rainfly. Many hours later we all emerged, damp and bleary eyed. Between the flashes of lightning, fear of falling branches, frantic scrambling to secure rainflies, and the sheer violence of storm, sleep had evaded most of us. Breakfast conversation centered around our experiences weathering the thunderstorm that had lasted until dawn, a first of that intensity for many of us. Thankfully we were all safe, and the ever-warming sunshine promised to dry out our soggy gear.
The temperature continued rising as we gathered together for our first meeting of the trip. Mary Burke, CalTrout North Coast Regional Manager, and Molly Ancel, CalTrout Outreach & Education Manager, led us through an exercise to tease out our ideas of values; those we hold individually, those we see in CalTrout, and those we hope to bring to light and practice. We broke out into small groups with staff from teams other than our own, and we each were given a posterboard and sticky notes to write and display our values. Listening to the staff in my group, who all hold different positions and conduct vastly different work in our organization, I was ihopeful to find that our answers had a similar vein of community, of personal drive, and of a sense of responsibility to contribute to positive change in our world. As we reconvened into a large group, we spent time walking around all of the posters created by each group, and found more threads of connection, interspersed with differences, challenges, and goals. This exercise was one that our organization continues to hold discussions around and that will guide and inform our upcoming strategic planning.
The temperature continued rising as we gathered together for our first meeting of the trip. Mary Burke, CalTrout North Coast Regional Manager, and Molly Ancel, CalTrout Outreach & Education Manager, led us through an exercise to tease out our ideas of values; those we hold individually, those we see in CalTrout, and those we hope to bring to light and practice. We broke out into small groups with staff from teams other than our own, and we each were given a posterboard and sticky notes to write and display our values. Listening to the staff in my group, who all hold different positions and conduct vastly different work in our organization, I was ihopeful to find that our answers had a similar vein of community, of personal drive, and of a sense of responsibility to contribute to positive change in our world. As we reconvened into a large group, we spent time walking around all of the posters created by each group, and found more threads of connection, interspersed with differences, challenges, and goals. This exercise was one that our organization continues to hold discussions around and that will guide and inform our upcoming strategic planning.
Art inspired by staff retreat after getting to “swim with the fishes” by Tyanna Blaschak, Mt. Shasta/Klamath Project Manager
It was nearly lunchtime and with the heat reaching unbearable levels, the bubbling river below us was a siren song. Over the course of the afternoon, each one of us met the river in our own way. Many of us went straight for the Emerald Pool, a gentle swimming hole, and chose to ease or jump right in. The initial shock of the chill quickly washed away the heat of the afternoon, and the languid current was perfect for floating. I was fooled by just how deep the pool was; the water was startling in its clarity straight to the rounded boulders that littered the bottom. I spent quite some time simply floating on my back, listening to the sounds under the water and the voices of those around me. Some people chose to sit on the banks, sunning, with their toes tickling the water. Others looked completely at home beneath the rippling surface as they donned snorkels and dove in search of fish. Everyone commented on the beauty of the water.
Memory: “Swimming with coastal cutthroat trout and rare summer steelhead in the pool out front of Rock Creek Ranch”
Patrick Samuel, CalTrout Bay Area Regional Director
The Smith River sparkles in the sun. Credit: Elizabeth Burns
I remember looking up at the high ridges on either side of the river, watching a few large birds soaring on the wind, noticing a slight haze around the treetops. A few of us walked a bit upstream to a shallow section full of strong eddies and sun-warmed stones. Sitting in the flow of the water, feeling that strength and vitality swirling around us as we sat and talked and listened felt healing. After some time, I reluctantly pulled myself out of the water. I hiked up a bit to get a view of the river, and wished there was a paint color that existed to give justice to the mosaic of swirling teal and turquoise that flowed around the bend. A few photos on my phone would have to suffice.
That night, we ate our delicious dinner heartily as we all had worked up appetites in the wild playground that is Rock Creek Ranch. Conversations and laughter abounded, card games cropped up, stories were shared. The CalTrout North Coast team delivered an incredible presentation on their work, including some background on the project sites we were set to visit the following day. That night was blissfully clear and quiet, and we slept well, lulled by the soothing sound of the flow of water.
The sound of the waves crashing against the beach was our soundtrack as McCovey inspired us with a conversation on the history of importance of the land to the Yurok Tribe and others who have been living as a part of it for thousands of years. McCovey also shared how the Tribe continue to actively take part in and lead restoration, science, and stewardship of the watershed now and into the future. As we explored the beach, I pulled out my binoculars and was delighted to find dozens of seals, pelicans, and more seagulls than I could count all gathering at where the river meets the sea. The dark sand of the beach was studded with smooth driftwood and brilliant white pebbles.. I wanted to stay for just a few more minutes, but we had a busy schedule.
That night, we ate our delicious dinner heartily as we all had worked up appetites in the wild playground that is Rock Creek Ranch. Conversations and laughter abounded, card games cropped up, stories were shared. The CalTrout North Coast team delivered an incredible presentation on their work, including some background on the project sites we were set to visit the following day. That night was blissfully clear and quiet, and we slept well, lulled by the soothing sound of the flow of water.
Touring the North Coast
Wednesday morning, I awoke rested, but with a sore throat. I recognized the distinct scent of woodsmoke in the air, and looked up to find the tops of the ridges blurred with haze. I didn’t think too much of it, and proceeded to get ready for a day on the road. Our first stop was the estuary at the mouth of the Klamath river with Yurok Tribe Senior Fisheries Biologist Barry McCovey. Together, we reflected on a soon-to-be free-flowing Klamath River.The sound of the waves crashing against the beach was our soundtrack as McCovey inspired us with a conversation on the history of importance of the land to the Yurok Tribe and others who have been living as a part of it for thousands of years. McCovey also shared how the Tribe continue to actively take part in and lead restoration, science, and stewardship of the watershed now and into the future. As we explored the beach, I pulled out my binoculars and was delighted to find dozens of seals, pelicans, and more seagulls than I could count all gathering at where the river meets the sea. The dark sand of the beach was studded with smooth driftwood and brilliant white pebbles.. I wanted to stay for just a few more minutes, but we had a busy schedule.
Memory: "Standing in a CalTrout circle, feeling a sense of camaraderie and shared values, listening to Yurok Tribal member Barry McCovey discuss his experience and hopes for the future."
Elizabeth Till, CalTrout Marketing & Communications Director
At the mouth of the Klamath River, CalTrout staff gathered to hear from Yurok Tribe Senior Fisheries Biologist Barry McCovey.
Our next stop was at the Prairie Creek Floodplain Restoration Project site. We had a quick tailgate lunch, donned hardhats and safety vests, and began our first walk through an active construction site. I was familiar with the project on paper, but I had absolutely no concept of the sheer size and magnitude of it until my feet were on the ground. We watched large woody debris being placed, saw dewatering in action, and learned the intricacies of the techniques used to suppress non-native plants to give native plants the opportunity to re-establish. I stood near a recently planted redwood sapling as I listened to McBain Associates contractor John Bair, in awe that this sapling would one day become one of the towering sentinels that thrive on the North Coast, persisting beyond many, many human lifetimes. The talk was punctuated by a fire helicopter flying back and forth overhead as it gathered water.
Our final stop was back along the coast, at the Redwood Creek Estuary. This is the site of a future restoration project, and we were lucky enough to hear about the vision that our organization and partners hold for this place.
We visited three project sites that day, but could have easily spent an entire day at each, learning about the history and significance of what CalTrout and our many partners are working toward. Each site was vastly different, and each stirred within me the same feeling of pride, of accomplishment, and of purpose. This is why we come to work every day, bringing a broad spectrum of experiences, backgrounds, and skills, each as valuable as the next woven together into the tapestry that makes up California Trout.
Our final stop was back along the coast, at the Redwood Creek Estuary. This is the site of a future restoration project, and we were lucky enough to hear about the vision that our organization and partners hold for this place.
We visited three project sites that day, but could have easily spent an entire day at each, learning about the history and significance of what CalTrout and our many partners are working toward. Each site was vastly different, and each stirred within me the same feeling of pride, of accomplishment, and of purpose. This is why we come to work every day, bringing a broad spectrum of experiences, backgrounds, and skills, each as valuable as the next woven together into the tapestry that makes up California Trout.
CalTrout staff visit the Prairie Creek Floodplain Restoration Project site.
Where Redwood Creek meets the sea, CalTrout staff gather to hear of a vision for the future
We carpooled separately on our tour day, and my car decided to return on the scenic route, an old dirt road through a grove of towering redwoods. We drove slowly. The red-yellow tinged afternoon light filtered through the dense forest casting a golden glow on everything it touched. The immensity of the grove was humbling and absolutely magical. As we drove back eastward, away from the coast and back into the forest, the smell of woodsmoke increased. We arrived back to the ranch to find everything covered in ash. As the rest of the crew returned with their carpools, conversations about wildfires and safety began to dominate the one-peaceful space. The thunderstorm that occurred our first night had sparked multiple wildfires, the road had been closed to the east while we were out touring the project sites, and there were evacuation orders on a nearby community. Our retreat was scheduled to continue until the following day, but many of us grew concerned. The spectrum of emotions elicited over the course of these days culminated on this final evening of our staff retreat showcasing the stark reality of the effects of climate change and our often mis-managed environments. We cannot change the past, but we can help our ecosystems and our communities become more resilient to an uncertain future. Some of us decided to leave that night, in fear of the winds shifting and the fire growing closer. Even though the retreat didn’t end as planned, I believe it was an important reminder of the significance of our work. Together, we can bring these watersheds and environmental processes back to health, to support fish, water, and people.
Swimming in the Smith / Flourishing conversation / Beauty of old-growth
Matt Metheny, CalTrout North Coast Program Manager
CalTrout’s staff retreat is meaningful to the ongoing evolution of our culture, organization and work. It gives us the opportunity to have organic conversations and connections outside of a structured meeting with a specific goal. I am continually amazed at how easy it is to talk with anyone on staff - their diverse backgrounds, educations, and experiences, from staff just out of school to those who have been working for decades. I learn something new from every conversation I have, and it is fun to find shared interests and consider different ways of looking at a topic. A ribbon of genuine respect and interest in the unique niches we each fill within the organization flows between us.
We may have vastly different reasons for working here, but the commonality that we find again and again is that this work has meaning. We are all a community: CalTrout, each of our regions, our beautiful state, and beyond. We understand that the good work we contribute to ripples out into the world. We each have a place of value and a part to play, and when we bring people together, with diverse backgrounds and experiences and knowledge, we can channel it into something incredible. Our retreat left me feeling connected, reinvigorated in my work, and so full of gratitude to have the pleasure of sharing a community filled with the most brilliantly intelligent, passionately hard working, genuinely kind, and hilariously entertaining group of people.
We may have vastly different reasons for working here, but the commonality that we find again and again is that this work has meaning. We are all a community: CalTrout, each of our regions, our beautiful state, and beyond. We understand that the good work we contribute to ripples out into the world. We each have a place of value and a part to play, and when we bring people together, with diverse backgrounds and experiences and knowledge, we can channel it into something incredible. Our retreat left me feeling connected, reinvigorated in my work, and so full of gratitude to have the pleasure of sharing a community filled with the most brilliantly intelligent, passionately hard working, genuinely kind, and hilariously entertaining group of people.
