The end of summer. It was a rough one in my town of Mt. Shasta with all the fires nearby. Our thoughts are with those in Redding and areas south of us who lost homes and property. We were fortunate and safe—but still, the smoke was unbearable for the better part of two months. Fires are growing in size and frequency and are an increasing threat to our trout, steelhead, and salmon.
CalTrout is actively working on projects to mitigate the effects of fire on our salmonids, especially inland native trout whose geographic range is typically small and vulnerable to catastrophic fire. The Sierra are a hot spot for native trout diversity, think golden trout, Kern River rainbow, Lahontan and Paiute cutthroat. Our work to restore Sierra meadows helps mitigate the threat of fire because wet healthy meadows can provide firebreaks within an otherwise forested landscape.
And speaking of the Sierra, I would like to introduce you to our new Sierra Region Director, Dr. Eric Huber. Eric comes to us from UC Berkeley where he recently received his Ph.D. working with Dr. Stephanie Carlson on steelhead and salmon in California. We are excited to have someone with these top-notch science credentials join our team. Based in Mammoth Lakes, Eric will lead our Sierra team in restoring Sierra meadows and keeping our native trout thriving for future generations.
And now we turn the page to fall with clear skies finally here in the Mt. Shasta area and some of the best fishing of the year. I am off to the McCloud later this week in search of early hints of fall colors and big browns. I hope you have your fall trips planned to some part of wild California.
Sincerely,
Thank you for your interest in the Eel River Forum! We looking forward to sharing meeting updates and other info from the Eel River watershed with you as they develop.
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Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! We looking forward to sharing project updates, news, and stories with you from the Big Chico Creek watershed as they develop.
Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! One of our staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
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Thank you for your interest in the Elk River! One of our North Coast Region staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
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.