DVFF Conservation Opportunities

This page lists opportunities for DVFF members to volunteer and participate in conservation events and programs. (NOTE: Conservation is also one of the categories needed to achieve DVFF's Golden Trout Award.) Where possible, the listed opportunity will contain a link to more detailed information. If you have a volunteer opportunity that you'd like the club to know about, please contact the Conservation Chair.

Hot Issues  ...& What You Can Do

North Bay Trout Unlimited Workday

Hello NBTU Volunteers -
     We have scheduled a workday at Devil's Gulch on Sunday, August 15 from 9AM - 2 PM. This is Phase 1 of a four phase project at Devil's Gulch, adjacent to Samuel P. Taylor State Park and a tributary to Lagunitas Creek. The work is an effort by NBTU and the State Parks to eliminate the possibility of Coho salmon and steelhead being spooked off of their redds this winter. Phase 2 will eliminate erosion caused by a trail and horses while Phase 3 will re-route a portion of the trail to eliminate human contact with the fish. Phase 4 will consist of instream work, providing refuge for young fish.
     Your Board of Directors has secured grants for this project thanks to the Marin Fish & Wildlife Fund. Now it is your turn!
     Many of you have asked when we are going to get our hands on the Gulch. Well, here is your opportunity. Work will consist of: digging post holes and erecting a split rail fence, improving signage, repairing trails, repairing two footbridges hit by trees, adding brush to eliminate paths to the creek and cleaning a bridge and signs. Lunch will be provided and you will be contacted closer to the actual date with more information. Our workday last spring began anew the great work NBTU has done on this section of the watershed for more than 30 years. We are limited to 20 volunteers so, please sign up early.
     We also still have a few spaces left for the Redwood Creek Nursery workday on Saturday, July 17th. This is the nursery that cultivates the native plants we have been planting at Muir Beach. The workday will begin at 9:00 in the morning and we should finish up by 12:00. The work will include transplanting, facilities maintenance, weeding and pot washing. Directions and other event details will be sent out next week.
     If you are interested in attending either of these events, please RSVP to John Lucas at jolucas@sbcglobal.net. If you have any questions, please email me or call me at (415) 292-6285.
                              John Lucas, North Bay Trout Unlimited

Putah Creek Trout Fundraiser

• Putah Creek Trout has scheduled a fundraiser at the Davis Family Winery in Healdsburg on July 10, see the website for additional information.

Hot Topics:

• Delta Stewardship Council
• California Fisheries Network
• Boxer, Fiorina, & the Delta
• Striped Bass: Delta Villains?
• Walnut Creek Restoration Master Plan
• CSPA News

Golden Trout Project

The Golden Trout Project is a collaborative between CalTrout, Trout Unlimited, and the California Department of Fish & Game, all in an effort to preserve our state fish - the California Golden Trout. For the past several summers, volunteers have trekked high into the Sierra to collect genetic samples, photograph and measure fish and repair or replace cattle exclusion fencing (and maybe cast a fly or two). More information on the Golden Trout Project and how to volunteer can be found at the CalTrout Web site.

 

Organizations Making a Difference

Besides DVFF, there are lots of great organizations working hard to keep our streams clean, the fish happy, and development in riparian corridors in check. They educate, inform, twist arms of regulators, and roll rocks in streams. When gentle persuasion isn't working, some of these groups aren't afraid to sue the offenders. These organizations are local, regional, and national in scope, but all have one thing in common - they could use our help. One easy way to do so is by becoming a member. This list will grow over time; if you have another group you'd like DVFF members to know about, please let the Conservation Chair know.


  • Alameda Creek Alliance
    "Protecting and restoring the natural ecosystems of the Alameda Creek watershed" — This volunteer-based community watershed group works to restore native steelhead and salmon to Alameda Creek.
  • California Sportfishing Protection Alliance"
    "Conserving California's fisheries" — Perhaps the go-to organization for information on all issues involving our fisheries.
  • California Trout
    "Working to protect wild trout and steelhead waters throughout California"
  • Federation of Fly Fishers
    "Conserving. Restoring. Educating. Through Fly Fishing" — The networking glue that holds clubs together throughout the United States. Our local chapter is the Northern California Council.
  • Friends of the Creeks
    A volunteer group whose focus is Walnut Creek and its tributaries.
  • Friends of the Inyo
    "Exploration, preservation, stewardship" — Based in Lee Vining, Calif., this group keeps tabs on all aspects of the giant Inyo National Forest. Recently, they fought for (and won) preserving the Owens River headwaters as wilderness.
  • Friends of the River
    "protects and restores California rivers by influencing public policy and inspiring citizen action" — Yes, their focus is on rafting, but with few exceptions, they come down on the same side of issues as we do.
  • The Nature Conservancy
    "Protecting nature. Preserving life." — A national organization that purchases and protects important environments. Key projects in CA include the McCloud River Preserve, and the headwaters of Shasta Creek.
  • SPAWNERS
    San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society, with a mission to protect the San Pablo Creek Watershed and inspire community appreciation and stewardship through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration.
  • Trout Unlimited (California)
    "Protect, reconnect, restore, and sustain California's salmonoid fisheries, watersheds, their diversity, and their populations." — A national organization with seven active chapters in California.
  • United Anglers of Casa Grande
    "...a Non-Profit Organization whose purpose is to promote environmental awareness through education and hands-on experience and to save a species from extinction." — An amazing success story at a high school in Petaluma.
  • Western Rivers Conservancy
    "Sometime to save a river, you have to buy it." — Portland, Ore.-based organization protecting outstanding river ecosystems in the western United States, with projects in California. (On their Web site, don't miss the very cool trailer for the DVD, "Skagit Master").