Volunteers Wanted for the Nisqually Salmon Watcher Program

Learn How to Identify and Count Adult Salmon While Joining in the Exciting Experience of Watching Salmon Spawn

The Nisqually Stream Stewards Program is looking for volunteers to help monitor streams within the Nisqually River watershed during salmon spawning season. Volunteers will be trained to identify salmon species so they can count spawning adult salmon twice a week.

The training will be held on Saturday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, in the Nisqually Tribe Natural Resources conference room.

In recent years salmon watchers helped rediscover a late run of coho salmon that hadn’t been seen in the Nisqually River for ten years. “Salmon watchers are really the eyes and ears of salmon recovery. This is how community involvement in salmon recovery is helping to bring salmon back,” said David Troutt, natural resources director for the Tribe. “Without these volunteers, there is no way that we could keep a close eye on every stream in the Nisqually River watershed.”

Information collected by Nisqually Salmon Watchers helps Nisqually Tribe Natural Resources staff identify where and when salmon are spawning in our streams and creeks. This information may also help determine where to focus salmon recovery protection and restoration efforts in the future.

What: Nisqually Salmon Watcher Training

When: Saturday, September 22nd
9 a.m. to 12 noon

Where: Nisqually Tribe Natural Resources Conference Room
12501 Yelm Hwy SE
Olympia, WA

To register for the training or to get directions, contact: Don Perry, (360) 438-8687, Extension 2143, or perry.don@nisqually-nsn.gov