On September 8th, CalTrout led over 20 participants on a tour of the Eel River Estuary Preserve’s future tidal restoration site. Paddling up the restored Salt River and into the 5-year-old tidal wetland restoration at Riverside Ranch, the tour took them past old fence lines, new wetland vegetation, and through flocks of shorebirds. Mary Burke, CalTrout’s North Coast Program Coordinator shared her thoughts, “this first-hand look at tidal wetland restoration and future habitat for rearing salmonids was inspiring and hopeful for the future of the lower Eel River.”
The tour showcased two major estuary restoration sites and described the full scope of restoration plans in the Eel River. Participants learned about The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) plans for implementation of a 150-acre restoration project that will restore tidal wetland, creating fish passage into the newly restored ecosystem, and reestablishing a historic slough and freshwater creek network to reconnect the vital freshwater-saltwater ecosystem. In addition to habitat restoration, the project will enhance coastal public access – visitors will be able to hike, bike, ride horses and kayak across the Eel River Estuary Preserve to experience nature and conservation first-hand, free of charge.
The Wiyot tribe also described their work studying lamprey as well as sturgeon and their tribal perspective on the Eel River, past, present, and future. Local engineering firm, GHD, which has been involved with CalTrout and TWC in their project as well as the Salt River Restoration project, interpreted the landscape as they paddle up the Salt River and viewed the newly restored Riverside Ranch and Salt River channel.
Afterwards, the participants contributed to invasive species management by removing European beach grass using gear provided by The Wildlands Conservancy. Doing so engaged the paddlers in stewardship of natural resources while assisting in preparation for future habitat restoration.
Thank you to Pacific Outfitters for providing gear for the trip. And special thanks to Eric Stockwell with Loleta Eric’s Guide Service for leading us down the river.
Click here to find more information about CalTrout’s recovery efforts on the Eel River.
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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.