Talk on Wild Fish Survival

Salmon spawning.\Photo by Cathy Tronquet.

As part of its “Speaking Truth to Power” lecture series, the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection will host an educational talk by Conrad Gowell, the Native Fish Society’s Fellowship Program Director, on Monday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m. for socializing and light refreshments).  The event, free and open to all, takes place at St. Mary’s By the Sea (275 S. Pacific St.) in Rockaway Beach.

Gowell will discuss the sustainability of wild fish, risk factors that affect them including current forestry practices, and, finally, what we can do to ensure that wild fish survive. He plans to delve into issues regarding unstable slopes.  This presentation will incorporate a dialogue with the audience.

Gowell became the Native Fish Society's Fellowship Program Director after serving as NFS’ River Steward Program Director (2016-17), North Oregon Coast Regional Coordinator (2013-2016) and Siletz River Steward since 2010. In his current role, Conrad recruits and manages a team of skills-based volunteers and contractors (NFS Fellows). These Fellows assist River Stewards with their watershed-specific conservation campaigns and help develop the advocacy tools NFS needs to increase the impact of the work.

He worked on the following effort: https://nativefishsociety.org/news-media/endangered-species-protections-sought-for-oregon-coast-spring-chinook . Nehalem River spring Chinook are an example of fish that may benefit from these protections.

Directions to St. Mary’s by the Sea: At the south end of downtown Rockaway Beach, turn west on S.W. Third Ave.  Proceed west over the railroad tracks, going to the end of Third Ave. which becomes the St. Mary’s by the Sea parking lot.  The meeting will take place in their community center building, not in the church itself. 

For more information and to get involved: Nancy Webster, rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com, (503) 355-2515.