Coho Tour

Beaver Creek\Photo by Cathy Tronquet.

Well-known coastal conservation leader Paul Engelmeyer, who directs the Audubon Society’s Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary and serves as chair of the MidCoast Watersheds Council, will lead a field trip on behalf of the Native Fish Society, devoted to Oregon’s coastal coho.  Meet at the parking lot of Beaver Creek State Natural Area (part of Brian Booth State Park), 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 10.  The event is free and open to the public.

Engelmeyer will discuss land-based conservation strategies, including conservation easements and landowner-driven stewardship in coastal wetlands.  Participants will learn about the alternate life histories of coho salmon and how fish hatcheries affect their diversity.  The field trip will then visit headwater tributaries to view current land management issues, including logging and agricultural practices that impact water quality and quantity.  At various stops along the way, Engelmeyer will point out the benefits of partnerships, such as in-stream restoration work conducted by local communities in partnership with the Siuslaw National Forest. The final leg of the tour will visit the Yaquina estuary to view efforts to restore juvenile salmon nursery habitats and discuss plans for enabling these habitats to survive sea level rise.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Paul Engelmeyer at pengelmeyer@peak.org.