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

From Friends of the River
ACTION ALERT: Senator Feinstein Declares War on Salmon

February 17, 2010 - Call Senator Dianne Feinstein today to stop her from dismantling the Endangered Species Act's (ESA) basic protections for the Central Valley's endangered Chinook salmon.

Senator Feinstein is proposing a legislation amendment that, in effect, would suspend rules that protect salmon from being killed by the giant state and federal pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The purpose of her amendment is to have more fresh water pumped from the Delta and delivered to the giant Westlands Water District in the southern Central Valley.

Senator Feinstein claims that this amendment will bring jobs to California and protect the state's agricultural economy, which has been affected by three years of drought. But the closure of California's salmon fishery in the last two years has cost 23,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in the California economy. The salmon returning through the Delta to the Sacramento River this year are at their lowest number ever. No hearings have been held on Senator Feinstein's proposed amendment. No written version of the amendment is available for review by the public. This is not the way to conduct public policy!

Call Senator Feinstein and ask her to protect salmon and the $1.4 billion fishing economy. Ask her to NOT introduce an amendment that would increase pumping from the Delta and harm our endangered salmon! Here are some key points to mention:

  • Provide your name and where you live in California to the Senate staff member answering the phone.
  • Urge Senator Feinstein not to sponsor an amendment that would increase pumping from the Delta and harm Central Valley salmon.
  • Mention that suspending Endangered Species Act protections could be the end of the west coast salmon fishery, which supports thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity.

Senator Feinstein could introduce her amendment any day now. Call Senator Feinstein's D.C. office today or tomorrow, before 2:00 p.m. Pacific time at (202) 224-3841!

If you get a busy signal, get this notice after her D.C. office is closed or would prefer to call one of her California offices you can reach her in San Francisco at (415) 393-0707 or Los Angeles at (310) 914-7300.

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").