October is one of my favorite months. As fall begins, we reflect on our organization: who we are, what we do well, and who we want to be as we embark on our next cycle of strategic planning. The CalTrout of three years ago is not the CalTrout of today. Our growing capacity and impact give us the opportunity to create change on a much larger scale. Water and climate change are top of mind in finding solutions for making California a better place for fish and people. 

Earlier this month, a canal breach incident on Butte Creek led to massive amounts of sediment flushing into the system and threatening already vulnerable fish populations. The incident had our staff taking a step back to think about the ways in which our watersheds are managed. Across the state, our natural watershed systems are often pushed to the brink by man-made infrastructure. We asked ourselves the question: how might things look if more of these systems relied on nature-based solutions instead? 

In the latest episode of our Fish Water People podcast, I also had the opportunity to explore this topic with award-winning journalist Erica Gies and beaver expert Nick Bouwes. In conversation with Erica, we reflected upon the question “what does water want?” which her book Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge aims to answer by looking at examples around the world, from the Central Valley to the Netherlands, of interactions with water. With Nick, we discussed beavers as a furry, natural solution to some of our rivers’ woes. Listen to the full conversation here. 

As we think about elevating nature-based solutions in our work, we’re also hard at work making sure some of those man-made infrastructural solutions can work better for our fish. At Alameda Creek in the Bay Area, we just launched an exciting new project to address a fish passage barrier in the creek that prevents fish from consistently accessing the upper watershed. Once implemented, this project will allow fish reliable access to more than 20 miles of additional stream. Bay Area folks, keep an eye out for these fish. They just might be swimming through your backyard! 

This fall, we want to take the opportunity to remind you about the many ways in which you can support our work. Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to do that is to give monthly and become a member of our Stronghold Circle. You can join here and for a limited time we’ll even throw in a free hat!  

We’re stronger together. Thanks for being a part of the CalTrout circle in whatever ways you are able. 

Curtis