Two years ago, we began restructuring CalTrout to prepare for our next stage of growth and impact. Since then, we’ve launched a dedicated Science Program, consolidated from seven regions to four, and promoted & trained several key staff members into leadership roles. The next step in that plan is creating a Vice President of Conservation role, to unify statewide conservation efforts, and we’re proud to announce that Damon Goodman, CalTrout’s current Shasta Cascade Regional Director, has been selected to move into the role.
“This promotion reflects both Damon’s deep knowledge of California’s fish and rivers and the trust he has built across this organization,” said Curtis Knight, CalTrout Executive Director. “I’m thrilled to see him step into this role, where he’ll help unify our conservation work across the state.”
In his new role, Damon will lead CalTrout’s statewide conservation strategy. He will bring the organization’s statewide portfolio of restoration work together into one integrated approach across our four regions working closely with the Science Program, Legal & Policy team, and Connectivity Program to connect regional work with these statewide initiatives.
“We have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of California’s rivers and native fish,” said Damon. “The remarkable recovery underway on the Klamath reminds us that bold conservation, strong partnerships, and a shared vision can achieve what once seemed impossible. I’m honored to step into this role and excited to work alongside our talented team and partners to drive meaningful change across California.”
As Shasta Cascade Regional Director, Damon has led CalTrout’s largest regional team and an ambitious portfolio of conservation initiatives across Northern California. Under his leadership, the region has advanced groundbreaking science, major river restoration projects, and innovative partnerships with Tribal Nations, public agencies, landowners, and conservation organizations.
Among these achievements is the Klamath River Salmon Monitoring Program, which Damon helped launch to document salmon recovery following the world’s largest dam removal project. The program documented more than 21,000 Chinook salmon migrating into newly accessible habitat during its first two years, with salmon reoccupying approximately 88% of their historical distribution. The findings were published in Scientific Reports, a Nature Portfolio journal, and featured in The New York Times.
Under Damon’s leadership, the Shasta Cascade team has helped reopen more than 19 miles of critical salmon and steelhead habitat through major fish passage projects on Battle Creek, Big Chico Creek, and the Scott River watershed. Across the Shasta and Scott rivers, Damon and his team have advanced landscape-scale restoration and collaborative approaches to water management that benefit both native fish and local communities. The team has also helped advance climate resilience science through the Upper Sacramento Basin Source Waters Study.
These accomplishments reflect Damon’s commitment to bringing together science, restoration, and partnerships to achieve lasting conservation outcomes — an approach he will now help expand across California.
This new chapter will help CalTrout connect the work happening in each region to a shared, statewide vision for California’s rivers and native fish. Please join us in congratulating Damon!
In the meantime, we’re now hiring our next Shasta Cascade Regional Director. If you or someone you know is passionate about protecting California’s cold-water fish and rivers, learn more and apply here.
