Conservation News
SCFF Conservation News - January 2010
submitted by Jim Tolonen
SCFF Conservation News - January 2010
submitted by Jim Tolonen
As the new year gears up, we are starting to plan for those organizations that we will support in 2010. Last year, we contributed to 9 organizations in three categories: Category I, with $500 each, plus volunteer support, Category II, with $250 to $350, and Category III, with $100. All totaled, we contributed approximately $3000 and hundreds of hours of volunteer support.
Those organizations that we supported in 2009 were:
| Category I | Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project |
| Coastal Watershed Council | |
| Category II | California Trout |
| Friends of the River | |
| California Sportfishing Protection Alliance | |
| San Lorenzo High School Watershed Academy | |
| Salmon and Trout Education Program (STEP) | |
| Category III | Eastern Sierra Land Trust |
| Sempervirens Fund (Santa Cruz Mountains) |
Wonderful organization information, mission statements and recent news and accomplishments can be found on these organization's websites and related newsletter. Everyone we supported was very grateful, as contributions and direct fiscal support have been declining in this difficult economic time. If you are interested, you may also find individual membership and contribution information on their websites as well.
We select organizations based upon recommendations from our SCFF members and on our Conservation Committee Mission Statement, which is, "To help conserve, protect and restore local, state and national fisheries and related habitat through contribution, education and volunteer efforts, with a focus on those water and fish of most importance to the SCFF membership."
If you have any comments on our contribution strategy or the organizations chosen last year, or you have suggestions/replacements for this year, or want to be on the committee or volunteer, please provide the information to me at jim.tolonen@me.com prior to or at the March club meeting.
Thanks for your support and involvement this year!
Information about our Category I Conservation Partners:
Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project - Carla Moss, hatchery manager and SCFF member, said that so far the hatchery is doing OK following the fire and the storms. There was some water clouding and minor slides from our two rain systems, but so far no damage to the hatchery, and the water is clearing reasonably quickly after the storms.
The Coho Salmon have been relocated to the Marine Fisheries Lab facility, and most of the clipped Steelhead have been released into our local San Lorenzo waters. Thanks to all those that volunteered to help during the "Annual Fin Clipping Event" at the Hatchery, it was a great experience.
There will likely be a Coho planting day coming up in the next few weeks, and some volunteers will be needed. If you are interested, email the MBS&T volunteer coordinator, Mary Hermansky at mhermansky@cs.com, or send me, jim.tolonen@me.com your contact information and I will put out the word whenever I hear of a call for volunteers.
For more information on this organization, check out the website at www.mbstp.org.
Coastal Watershed Council - Two reminders, first, the CWC organization is always looking for volunteers for water sampling, either for the Urban Watch, Snapshot Day, (coming up on May 1st), or First Flush programs. All it takes is attending a half-day training course, then being on call for sampling ouir local stream waters, (usually less than a couple of hours every month or two). Good fun, and important for building the data bases that are then available formany programs and projects that help monitor the health of the Monterey Bay ecosystem. There is also school credit available through the CWC for student interns and volunteers.
Second, the CWC sponsored Spring Environmental Film Series is starting up (Free Local Movies!), with the first one, "A Sea Change", showing at the Capitola City Hall, in the Community Hall, on Saturday, January 28th at 6:30 PM. It deals with ocean acidification. It is a beautifully made film about an exceptionally important subject and even contains some Central Coast footage. CWC's FREE Environmental Film Series features films on local and global water issues.
For more information on the Film Series, the organization, or volunteer sign up, check out the website at www.coastal-watershed.org.