Inside. HCSEG Staff HCSEG BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016

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2 Inside 2 Conversation with Executive Director Mendy Harlow 3 Financial Summary 4 Impact & Accomplishments 5 Hood Canal Steelhead Recovery 6 Summer Chum Rebounding 7 HCOSSNR Project Advances Water Quality 8 Clear Creek Fish Relocation Knotweed Surveys 9 Dosewallips Barge Removal 11 Big Quilcene Master Plan Log jams placed in Little Anderson and Big Beef Creeks 12 Big Year for Education 13 StreamTeam Program 16 Honoring the Legacy of Salmon Center Founders Sustainability Program Continues to Grow 18 Upcoming Projects in 2017 HCSEG BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 Director Emeritus Bob Hager Chair Tom Brown Vice-Chair John Poppe Treasurer Mike Henderson Secretary Michelle Licari Board members Dan O Neal Michael Siptroth Rob Drexler David Hawley Greg Shimek HCSEG Staff Mendy Harlow Executive Director Tamara Cowles Stewardship Coordinator Clayton David Salmon & Steelhead Biologist Seth Elsen Project Development Lead Kim Gower Project Administrator Sarah Heerhartz Habitat Program Manager Ashley Nelson Farm and Field Technician Robin Jensen Financial Manager Michelle Myers Education and Habitat Project Coordinator Julian Sammons Project Manager Joanne Tejeda Design & Marketing Associate AmeriCorps Sustainablitiy Coordinators Tori McCann Kate McElroy Washington Conservation Corps Alex Papiez, Supervisor Hannah Campbell Sam Jimenez Eric Loy Rob Reed Hans Welke

3 Message from the Director Well, another year has passed and I have again found myself looking back and feeling very honored to work with Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) staff, volunteers, members, landowners and partners. Without each of you, the Hood Canal Watershed and everything we have accomplished over the past 12 months would not have been possible. Looking back over the past 26 years, the early days of HCSEG were driven by an all-volunteer force of individuals that implemented salmon supplementation projects and smaller habitat projects such as culvert replacements. It didn t take long for the group to realize that in order to make the biggest impact on salmon populations, the group would need to be a part of large coordinated efforts to restore habitat for salmon throughout the Hood Canal watershed. HCSEG worked with multiple key partners to begin strategic habitat restoration strategies in order to help threatened and endangered species like Hood Canal summer chum and Chinook. We have seen many gains in the past few years toward the recovery of Hood Canal Summer chum, largely due to restoration projects completed by HCSEG and partners throughout the Canal. HCSEG has been growing in both size and expertise over the past decade. We maintain a staff of 8 full time and 3 part time employees, along with two AmeriCorps members, a Washington Conservation Corps team of 6, student interns and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Since we strongly feel that educating our youth is the best investment we can make for the future of Hood Canal and Puget Sound, we have grown our education and outreach programs to fit our goals. In 2016, HCSEG staff, interns and volunteers worked to communicate the connection between people and salmon to over 3,300 individuals. In 2017, our impact will be even greater because we have expanded our Salmon in the Classroom program to include the Shelton and Pioneer School Districts. For us, our education programs and habitat restoration are about more than just salmon. The work that we strive to accomplish is in many ways making our community a healthier, happier and more beautiful place. We hope that you will continue to invest your interest, energy and enthusiasm in our organization as we charge on into 2017 restoring our watersheds, educating our communities and studying our ecosystems. - Mendy Harlow 2

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5 Creating a Culture of Stewardship 24 log jams placed 3,300 + youth reached through education programs 3512 summer chum counted 9,790 volunteer hours 1183 steelhead smolt sampled 290 landowners involved in fighting knotweed 200 ft. shoreline restored 30 stream miles surveyed Teach It Live It Measure It Cultivate It 4

6 Recovery Taking Shape for Steelhead A Decade of Research 2016 was another successful year for the Hood Canal Steelhead Project, which aims to restore wild steelhead runs in the Skokomish, Dewatto, and Duckabush Rivers. The project, which began in 2007, assesses how supplementation affects wild steelhead populations. All Puget Sound steelhead, including those residing in Hood Canal, are currently listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. The general strategy of this project is to increase the survivability rate from egg to smolt in order to supplement each year s outmigration of wild steelhead. This process included the collection of fertilized eggs from naturally constructed redds in the Duckabush, Dewatto, and Skokomish Rivers. While many artificial propagation programs increase the abundance of adult fish, their strategies do not always ensure increases in natural spawning and productivity, and can pose risks for wild populations genetically, ecologically, and demographically. HCSEG and its partners work to minimize those risks while utilizing the benefits hatcheries provide in recovering a species that, due to over-harvest, may not recover without intervention. This differs from many artificial propagation programs because the fish are able to spawn in the wild, thus preserving natural mate selection. The offspring are then reared in hatcheries until they are released back into their natal rivers. During this time, hatcheries use lowimpact rearing techniques to minimize any negative influence hatchery rearing can have on the wild fish. Supplementation began in 2011 and will continue through A vital part of determining the effectiveness of this strategy is monitoring abundance, genetic diversity, and life history characteristics in the three test streams and three control streams (Little Quilcene River, Tahuya River, and Big Beef Creek). Results will help determine if this conservation approach could be valuable for other threatened steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest. The project is highly collaborative with scientific oversight provided by NOAA Fisheries. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group works specifically on three of the six study streams using volunteers and interns in out-migrant juvenile sampling and summer parr sampling. In 2016, HCSEG conducted redd and snorkel surveys with WDFW and NOAA Fisheries on the Dewatto River, Tahuya River, and Big Beef Creek. This year, more than 30 wild steelhead redds were observed on the Dewatto River. This number continues the increasing trend of steelhead redds in the Dewatto River over the past few years. This is good news as the increasing trend indicates this project could be working; although, there are still several years to go before the final analysis. The egg collection phase of this project ended in 2013, so HCSEG s focus has shifted somewhat. In 2016, the returning adult steelhead represented the third generation of offspring since the project began. HCSEG and NOAA Fisheries biologists are working to collect more data to determine smolt to adult survivability. This is accomplished by sampling returning adult steelhead, as well as performing multiple snorkel surveys throughout the adult spawning period to better understand the factors driving their abundance and spawning productivity. The 2016 smolt trapping season had surprising results. Due to favorable trap locations this year, HCSEG s traps caught and sampled over 500 steelhead smolt in the Dewatto and Tahuya rivers. These numbers show an increasing trend over past years in both of these rivers. While success was found on the other two streams, the year was not as successful on the Little Quilcene River. Just over 100 smolt were caught and sampled, which unfortunately is the lowest abundance seen in that river since the project started. Since the number of coho, chum, and cutthroat abundances were also down, it is likely the low numbers are due to 2015 s low water conditions affecting juvenile survivability. As with most of HCSEG s projects, this work would not have been possible without the numerous volunteers who contributed time and energy. In addition to the volunteers, students from UW- Tacoma again conducted field work with HCSEG interns, deepening the partnership between the University and HCSEG while providing expanded hands-on learning opportunities for aspiring scientists. 5 Looking Ahead Although we have seen a rising trend of redd abundance in the Dewatto River, project partners feel the increase in redds is not as significant as expected. One possible unforeseen outcome of the project could be an amplified amount of predation pressure during spawning as a result of several years of more abundant steelhead numbers. In order to test this hypothesis HCSEG and NOAA Fisheries biologists will be radio tagging a number of this year s adult release group steelhead. These are specialized tags that will allow biologists to mobile track each tag using an antennae and receiver to determine the fate of each tagged steelhead. HCSEG volunteer Megan Brady holds a steelhead smolt after collecting a DNA sample. HCSEG s smolt trap on the Dewatto River.

7 Summer Chum Rebounding 3,512 summer chum salmon found their way home in 2016 on the Union River, making the year another big success for the Hood Canal Summer Chum Program. The program s goal is to restore Hood Canal summer chum populations in the Union and Tahuya Rivers, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act s return is the highest non-supplemented return the Union River has seen since These numbers show great progress from the bleak returns prior to 2000, when the program began. At that point, annual returns averaged between 200 to 300 summer chum on the Union River, and the Tahuya River run had been extirpated. Each year since 2000, HCSEG has trapped returning adult summer chum in the Union River. Volunteers monitor the trap twenty-four seven, collecting data on returning fish and, up through 2014, obtaining summer chum for artificial spawning. In 2003, the Union River population had recovered enough that it became a donor stock to recover runs on the Tahuya River. HCSEG interns Whitney Croker and Sam Jimenez sample summer chum carcasses while teaching the next generation of salmon stewards. Though spawning efforts have since ended, both populations of summer chum have seen a significant rebound. In the Governor s 2016 State of Salmon report, Hood Canal summer chum are highlighted as one of the few salmon runs nearing recovery goals, in part because of HCSEG s project and the help of the community. The restoration of the Union River Estuary, completed in 2013, also has benefitted summer chum on the Union River, providing important habitat for juvenile fish as they outmigrate. In addition to monitoring returning salmon on the Union River, HCSEG staff and interns conducted carcass surveys on the Tahuya and Dewatto rivers. One hundred and fifty fish were sampled on each of the rivers, and sometime in early 2017, results will come back on how many of those fish were wild, as opposed to the number of fish resulting from HCSEG s spawning program. Volunteer Marsha Stitt poses with one of the more colorful spawners that showed up in the Union River. In order to make this program work, HCSEG has relied on the many volunteers from the region who ve lent a helping hand to recover our summer chum populations. Each year, almost 3,000 hours of volunteer time is required to operate the program. Over 100 volunteers were involved this year, and the interest in salmon recovery among Hood Canal continues to grow because of projects and programs like this Union River Summer Chum Escapement Volunteer Rocio DeWitt checks the trap, looking for summer chum ready to spawn Summer Chum Escapement Total yearly return of summer chum returning to the Union River. The restored Union River Estuary, a project completed in Photo courtesey of Doris Small, WDFW. 6

8 Advances Made in Improving Water Quality The Hood Canal Onsite Sewage System Nitrogen Reduction Project (HCOSSNR) is implementing and monitoring advanced treatment systems along Hood Canal in hopes of improving its water quality. HCSEGsproject manager Julian Sammons configures the septic installation at the Salmon Center. Hood Canal has a history of low dissolved oxygen levels known to negatively impact marine life. High levels of nitrogen are known to cause lowered dissolved oxygen levels as a result of algal blooms, which thrive on available nitrogen. Dissolved oxygen is then consumed through the decomposition process of the algae. While anthropogenic nitrogen inputs in the Hood Canal watershed remain largely unquantified, one of the known sources of nitrogen is onsite sewage systems (OSS) near the shores of Hood Canal. The Hood Canal Onsite Sewage System Nitrogen Reduction Project (HCOSSNR) is implementing and monitoring advanced treatment systems on existing OSS on lower Hood Canal near-shore properties. The project is a continuation of a study conducted by the Washington State Department of Health partnered with the University of Washington. As part of the project, two separate systems, one at the Salmon Center and one at a residence in Union, each utilize a Recirculating Gravel Filter and a Vegetated Denitrifying Woodchip Bed. The Hood Canal study follows a University of Washington and Washington State Department of Health study. The difference is that study, conducted at a wastewater treatment plant, had very controlled dosage and flows. It also utilized a gravity-fed system. HCSEG s work, which covers a much broader timespan, also includes flat sites near the water in systems with widely varying usage on a day-to-day basis. The objective of the project is to: A) Determine the performance of these systems under authentic residential loading trends, B) Observe the longevity of system performance, such as length of time before woodchips in VDWB need to be replenished, and C) Determine system cost, and amount of service, repair and maintenance required to maintain a well performing system. The systems effluents have been sampled and monitored for nitrogen levels (ammonia, nitrate & nitrite, total nitrogen), as well as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Total suspended solids (TSS) and fecal coliform for 24 months. HCSEG analyzed samples for TSS and fecal coliform in-house using its own state-accredited lab space, while all other parameters were analyzed by project partners at the University of Washington Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as local business Centric Analytical Labs. Sampling at the private residence wrapped up in August of 2016, but an additional period of monitoring at the Salmon Center site starts in January of 2017 and will go through June. A final report detailing the findings of the study is being developed, and will be made available before June. In general, the systems weren t able to perform quite as well in real-world conditions in comparison to the controlled environment in the previous study. This was not a surprise, and the systems still performed quite well. Modifications have been made to the system, and the additional monitoring period in 2017 will provide valuable data on the efficacy of these modifications. One of the two systems installed as part of the project. This system was located on a private property in Union along Hood Canal. 7

9 20,000 Organisms Relocated in Clear Creek Last summer, HCSEG was asked to help relocate fish during the dewatering phase of the Clear Creek Restoration project in Silverdale. The Kitsap County Public Works - Stormwater Division headed up this project to re-engage the west and east forks of Clear Creek to their historical floodplain. Historically, Clear Creek was a productive salmon stream prior to being ditched and channelized by early settlers. Newly excavated, remaindered, channels were created for each fork in order to remove fish passage barriers, enhance habitat, and reconnect the historical floodplain. During the new channel connection phase of the project, the old channels had to be de-watered. This meant all the fish, shellfish, and crustaceans living in those old channels had to be moved to a safe place. HCSEG was responsible for collecting, identifying, counting, and relocating as many fish and shellfish as possible. This process involved many volunteers over a period of several days of slogging around in the mud with buckets and nets saving every life they could capture. The buckets were brought to a collection station where they were counted and identified. Lastly, the processed fish were transported back to the creek in a safe location. In total, over 20,000 different fish, shellfish, and crustaceans were transported to safe waters. HCSEG s work with Kitsap County comprised only a small portion of the overall restoration efforts in Clear Creek. Restoration efforts have included a bridge replacement, removal of 1,500 feet of road, and the replacement of two culverts. In total, the project restores more than 30 acres of floodplain and riparian habitat. The end result of a restored Clear Creek is a better stream for salmon along an important community asset, the Clear Creek Trail. Coho Unidentified Trout Steelhead Parr Cutthroat Sculpin Lamprey Crawfish Pumpkinseed Perch This crawfish was one of thousands of organisms transported as part of the Clear Creek restoration efforts. Photo courtesey of Kitsap County. Progress Made in Fight Against Knotweed Since 2008, HCSEG, in coordination with regional partners, has been working with local landowners to conduct surveys and treatment within the Hood Canal watershed for the noxious weed known as knotweed. Knotweed is an extremely aggressive, non-native plant that was imported from Asia as a garden ornamental. There are four types of knotweed; Giant, Japanese, Himalayan, and Bohemian and all are similar in appearance. The plant grows in large dense clusters and can reach 4-12 feet in height. The canes/stems are hollow (similar to bamboo) and the flowers are small white showy plumes that appear in July. Leaves are predominately heartshaped and elongated, and can exceed 12 inches across, especially in giant knotweed. HCSEG and others are concerned about knotweed because of its capability to smother native species and lower habitat biodiversity, water use and competition with native plants. Knotweed is known as an herbaceous perennial. It tends to grow in wet areas, particularly near streams and rivers but can also grow in dry areas. Knotweed becomes easily established and spreads by seeds and vegetatively from rhizomes and roots. Plants die back in the end of the growing season but dead canes persist over the winter. It creates bank erosion problems and lowers the overall quality of riparian habitat for fish and wildlife. If left untreated, it can overwhelm and eventually displace native vegetation. In 2016, partners continued the fight against knotweed through treatment and plantings of native conifers and shrubs. Around the region, HCSEG is currently working in eight stream systems; Big Quilcene, Little Quilcene, Dosewallips, Dewatto, Tahuya, Union rivers, as well as Big Anderson and Big Beef creeks. HCSEG staff, along with a Washington Conservation Corps crew, began treating knotweed in early August and finished up treatment in late September. There have been significant gains in controlling knotweed throughout the watershed. 8 In total, HCSEG worked with 261 landowners in 2016, treating over 35 stream miles. Over the next year, staff and interns will continue surveys to find new infestations of knotweed to treat while building support among landowners and continuing to plant native shrubs and trees. Top: Big Anderson Creek prior to treatment in Bottom: Big Anderson Creek, taken in 2016.

10 Barge Removed from Dosewallips PROJECT MILESTONES: 5,000 sq. feet of upland riparian habitat restored Nearly 1/2 acre of intertidal habitat added to the estuary More than 1,000 native trees and shrubs planted 200 feet of shoreline restored HCSEG intern Tori McCann places interpretive signs at the restoration site. Following the restoration, numerous native shrubs and trees were planted at the restoration site. This past year, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group partnered with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to restore critical habitat in the Dosewallips River Estuary. The project restored natural estuarine habitat at the mouth of Walker Creek, which feeds into the greater Dosewallips River estuary complex, near Brinnon. Much of the work entailed removing a large creosote-treated barge embedded in the shoreline. Since creosoted wood can leach toxic chemical compounds into the aquatic environment,removing this barge will improve water quality and habitat value for both fish and wildlife. In addition to the barge removal, work included removing large amounts of fill, and regrading the shoreline. HCSEG also added numerous habitat enhancement features such as logs and root-wads, and planted more than 1,000 native trees and shrubs along the shoreline. Creosote contains a harmful group of chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Juvenile salmon migrating through urban estuaries show reduced disease resistance, and changes in growth and metabolism, with similar results as seen with PAH exposed animals in lab studies. Salmon are only one of the many species subject to harmful exposure of the chemicals present in the creosote treated lumber in this barge. In addition to being a source of toxic chemicals, this barge is associated with large quantities of fill material that were brought in and placed right in the estuary. Part of this project is removing this fill material so that the half-acre footprint can once again belong to the estuary, and all of the habitat that goes along with it. The Dosewallips River Estuary is home to Hood Canal summer chum, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), in addition to Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. The estuary provides critical habitat during the rearing stage of juvenile salmon. During this stage, juvenile salmon depend on the 9 vegetation and shallow tidal channels for cover from predators and feed on invertebrates that thrive in the estuary. The restoration added approximately 19,500 square feet (0.45 acres) of intertidal habitat to the greater Dosewallips Estuary and Dabob Bay, and restored 5,000 square feet (0.11 acres) of upland riparian habitat. This barge itself likely dates back to the first half of the 20 th century. Although there hasn t been any indication as to what the barge was used for prior to being placed on the shoreline, locals have suggested the project site is the location of the old ferry terminal that ran from Brinnon to Seabeck. Once the barge was brought onto the shore and the fill material was placed next to it, an oyster processing facility, labeled as Seafarms in old county records, was placed on top of the barge. In construction a septic tank and a well was found inside the fill material. An old photograph shows the barge with buildings on its surface and powerlines running down to it. Decades ago, there was a lot of activity at this site. However, in the past several decades the site has been entirely abandoned, with the barge slowly falling apart. Just in the beginning of 2016, the outer wall of the barge collapsed during a storm. Before long, large portions of this barge may have been swept away, spreading creosote treated lumber throughout Hood Canal. The Dosewallips Estuary supports numerous fish and wildlife, including bald eagles.

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12 Big Quilcene Master Plan Coming Together in Quilcene Bay. Aside from habitat restoration, other benefits of the designs will include flood risk reduction, improved water quality, increased recreational access, and numerous educational opportunities. Each of these benefits combined will help to support the Quilcene community now and in the future, providing economic viability. Throughout 2016, HCSEG and its partners, Jefferson County and The Nature Conservancy, made progress on the Big Quilcene Master Plan, a design effort that got underway in 2013 to restore the lower one mile of the Big Quilcene River, its floodplain, and the estuary. The Big Quilcene River is a priority restoration area, supporting abundant shellfish populations and providing habitat for threatened Hood Canal summer chum and Puget Sound steelhead saw the creation of three potential restoration designs, each of which was run through a hydrodynamic model along with current conditions to assess how 2 and 100 year flood regimes would impact the river and surrounding community. Through this modeling, community partners were able to choose elements within the three designs that would be most beneficial. HCSEG and its partners also continued engaging with local landowners to further enhance the final restoration design. As the calendar turned to 2017, a draft preferred alternative design was created, which brings together the best of the three designs. The Big Quilcene River supports numerous fish species, including its prized coho population. Photo by Robert H. Pos, USFWS. Through collaboration with the community and other local stakeholders, HCSEG is working to create a restoration design that factors in community needs and desires while protecting shellfish populations 27 New Log Jams Placed in Kitsap Streams The Intensively Monitored Watersheds (IMW) project is a long-standing collaboration between state and federal agencies, local tribes, Weyerhauser and other parnters. The goal of the IMW program is to better understand how salmon respond to habitat conditions and restoration. In Hood Canal, HCSEG is involved with Little Anderson, Big Beef, Stavis, and Seabeck creeks, studying coho populations. Most of 2016 s work was focused on Little Anderson and Big Beef creeks. Oysters are an important resource to the Quilcene community and local businesses. Photo by Jenifer Rhoades. Little Anderson Creek Over the last year, HCSEG worked to improve habitat in Little Anderson Creek, following up on past projects in 2006 and Much of 2016 s work focused on the placement of 14 new log jams. In August, HCSEG worked with Columbia Helicopters to install the new log jams, totaling 250,000 lbs of woody material. This restoration will provide important habitat for juvenile coho, among other fish. In December, HCSEG and local volunteers conducted a cleanup of Little Anderson Creek, removing trash, abandoned cars, and other materials. Big Beef Creek HCSEG wrapped up Phase 2 of restoration in lower Big Beef Creek. The highlight of 2016 s work in Big Beef Creek came in August, when HCSEG and Columbia Helicopters installed 13 engineered log jams (ELJs) in Big Beef Creek. HCSEG staff have been monitoring the log jams (along with 10 constructed last year) throughout the winter to document the progression of habitat development in the stream. The wetland and floodplain re-connection component of the project also has been completed, which included decommissioning of three wells, removal of a well access roadway that divides the floodplain, and removal of fill material from historic wetlands. Over the first few months of 2017, HCSEG will be removing invasive plants and replanting native riparian vegetation along the creek. One of the engineered log jams placed in August

13 Big Year for Education 2016 saw HCSEG staff, volunteers, and interns interacting with more than 3,300 individuals throughout the region. From classroom visits and field trips to summer camps and community events, HCSEG worked to make an impact on the community through environmental education. Salmon In the Classroom Over the first few months of 2016, HCSEG continued its annual Salmon in the Classroom program. This program is a cooperative effort between HCSEG and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 500 fall chum eggs were given to Belfair and Sand Hill elementary schools in the North Mason area for students to raise while they learn about salmon, habitat, and water quality. The culminating event is the muchanticipated salmon release. Nearly 200 students released a fish in Looking forward to 2017, HCSEG has expanded the program to include the Pioneer School District and each of the three Shelton elementary schools, for a total of 600 students. This has been made possible by generous donors and the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. A local student walks to Sweetwater Creek, preparing to release fall chum fry as part of the Salmon in the Classroom program. GreenSTEM Summit In June, HCSEG held the GreenSTEM Summit, an annual event cosponsored by the Pacific Education Institute and the Squaxin Island Tribe. The event brought together 240 students from districts in Mason, Jefferson, and Kitsap counties to engage students in field-based learning and share projects that students had worked on throughout the school year. Topics ranged from ocean acidification to sustainable agriculture. Students share STEM projects they ve worked on over the past year at the GreenSTEM Summit. Summer Camps EnviroCamp, HCSEG s summer program for students in grades K-5, was a major success. Students were immersed in hands-on learning and sustainability, building an interest and passion for the environment. Similarly, GreenSTREAM, the summer program for students in grades 6-12, had an enrollment of nearly 20 participants throughout the summer. The camp included field trips to Twanoh State Park, Tahuya State Forest, the Dewatto River, and the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum. The goal of GreenSTREAM is to teach youth about the different components of the Hood Canal watershed through field trips and other activities. HCSEG staff member Tamara Cowles teaches students on a field trip to the Salmon Center this past summer. Outside of these major programs, HCSEG participated in many education and outreach events throughout the region in Staff and interns had a presence at Oyster Fest, Allyn Days, the Quilcene Fair and other gatherings around Hood Canal. The Salmon Center also hosted students for field trips from pre-k students to college students. All in all, 2016 was a year of many accomplishments for HCSEG in terms of environmental education shows great promise to continue engaging with youth and the community for the benefit of our salmon and other natural resources. 12 Youth from the Squaxin Island Tribe visit the Salmon Center.

14 Stream Team Program In the summer of 2016, HCSEG was fortunate enough to have three local students monitoring restoration efforts as part of its Stream Team program. Since 1998, HCSEG has offered the Stream Team internship program to local students interested in environmental careers. Through the program, interns monitor habitat restoration efforts and collect data while gaining valuable hands-on field experience and building research skills that will help as they work towards a degree in natural resources. Program interns are paid an hourly wage and receive a scholarship upon the completion of 400 hours of service. Throughout this past summer, interns worked on a variety of projects, collecting important data to help measure the success of restoration efforts. Their findings inform HCSEG and others on adaptive management and future projects. A majority of 2016 s monitoring efforts focused on the Union River Estuary, which was restored in Interns closely monitored vegetation growth, movement of woody debris, and bird species that were utilizing the estuary. Aside from the Union River Estuary, monitoring also took place on Big Beef Creek, where HCSEG has been working over the past two years to restore. Here, interns looked at insect distribution along the river bank, log jams, wetlands, and other areas. Finally, interns also helped remove the numerous fish in Clear Creek as it was dewatered. While interns work primarily on monitoring projects, they also help with community outreach and education. This summer, they led portions of HCSEG s GreenSTREAM summer camp, operated booths at events across the region, and helped install the fish weir on the Union River. The end goal of this program is to provide skills to local students who plan to pursue a degree in natural resources to help with career and academic development, while building the next generation of environmental stewards. These experiences allow interns to be competitive and desirable in the job market upon graduation. The Stream Team program has been supported by various state and federal agencies, as well as local organizations and donations. Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 program. Interested students must be graduating from high school, or have attended high school in the Hood Canal region. Further, applicants should be studying one of the many natural resource fields, such as botany, fisheries, ecology, or other similar fields. The deadline for 2017 internships is March 31 st. To learn more, visit The end goal of this program is to provide skills to local students who plan to pursue a degree in natural resources to help with career and academic development, while building the next generation of environmental stewards. Above: Interns Tori Stevens and Cora Newton sift through mud in search of juvenile fish at Clear Creek in Silverdale. Left: Lindsey Goldsby conducts a bird survey along the Union River Estuary. 13

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17 A Year of Growth for Sustainability Programs The goal of these initiatives is to demonstrate how agriculture and salmon can coexist while also highlighting the importance of local food and community-supported agriculture in the fight for food security. In early 2016, thanks to donations from community members and local businesses, AmeriCorps interns were able to convert 10 of the 15 inground P-patch plots to raised EnviroCamp students manage their P-patch plot. beds, making the garden 2016 was a busy year for HCSEG s more attractive to community AmeriCorps interns. Each year, two interns members. Building on that initial start, are hired to coordinate sustainability HCSEG received donations and grants to and agricultural programs at the Salmon expand the P-patch both in size and in Center. As you may know, the Center is the number of raised beds. The p-patch home to a certified organic U-pick garden provides valuable opportunities for those and a P-patch, or community garden. in our community who lack the land to harvest local foods. By sharing land, tools, and other resources, the community s collective food security is increased. Aside from this project, HCSEG s interns engaged local students in sustainability through events, field trips and classroom presentations. The goal of their outreach was to help students understand where food comes from, and what they can do to create a more sustainable world. Interns also operated a booth at the Belfair Farmer s Market, offering produce for donations. Looking forward to 2017, AmeriCorps members will continue to build upon the progress of the last year to raise awareness of food security and access among community members. If you are interested in getting involved, you may visit www. pnwsalmoncenter.org/p-patch. Fund Created to Honor Legacy of Salmon Center Founders In September of 2016, Dr. Al Adams, a founding member of HCSEG, passed on. Adams had a long appreciation for salmon and played a hands-on role in revitalizing dwindling runs. Beginning in the 1970s, he developed a residential salmon hatchery to help recover coho populations. After retiring, he became involved with HCSEG as a board member and executive director. In total, Adams dedicated over twenty years to HCSEG. His service to HCSEG and Hood Canal continued until his recent passing. To help honor Al s legacy, as well as the others who envisioned the Salmon Center, HCSEG set up the Founders Fund, with a fundraising goal of $250,000. This initiative was created to help carry out education and research programs aimed at recovering wild salmon populations. You can learn more about the Founders Fund at www. pnwsalmoncenter.org/foundersfund. In November, HCSEG held a celebration of life for Dr. Al Adams. At the celebration, his family presented a check for $21,000 to the Founders Fund. This incredibly generous contribution, combined with others from the local community, has resulted in just over $37,000 raised thus far. We d like to thank those who ve contributed to the Founders Fund, and we hope you will consider supporting this initiative. HCSEG s educational programs impacted over 3,000 students in 2016 alone, and important research programs focused on water quality and wild steelhead recovery have continued to progress, making important contributions to the research field. This work is not possible without support from volunteers and donors. 100% of your donation is tax deductible, and each dollar helps us carry out the vision of our founders while building upon our 26 years of successes. Al Adams family presents a generous donation to HCSEG Executive Director Mendy Harlow. These funds will help honor the legacy of Dr. Al Adams and others for the Salmon Center. 16

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19 Looking Ahead to 2017 Forage fish: Forage fish are a critical component of the marine food web in Hood Canal, providing food for a number of species including salmon, sea birds, and marine mammals. HCSEG will be conducting monthly surveys starting this spring on beaches throughout Hood Canal to get a clearer picture of when and where forage fish (especially surf smelt and sand lance) are spawning along the shores of the canal. This effort will provide basic information about forage fish habitat use and help identify future habitat restoration projects and conservation actions to support healthy populations of these fish. Moon Valley: HCSEG is just beginning the planning and acquisition phase of this project in the Big Quilcene River. Work planned for the coming year includes property acquisitions, landowner and community outreach, geomorphic and hydraulic surveys, habitat assessment, and conceptual design. The ultimate goals of this project are to (1) restore floodplain processes in the Moon Valley reach (approximately river mile 2 to 3); (2) restore spawning habitat for summer chum and other salmonids; (3) restore rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids; (4) improve recreational access in a manner compatible with community outreach and salmon recovery; (5) restore and protect a healthy riparian zone for improved water quality and flood resilience benefitting spawning adult salmon (especially summer chum) and overwintering juvenile salmon (especially steelhead and coho). Big Beef Creek: This will be the final phase of Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) restoration treatments in Big Beef Creek. HCSEG has successfully completed large wood (LWD) placements and floodplain reconnection in the lower mile of Big Beef Creek. In this phase, HCSEG will install additional LWD structures in key reaches below the Lake Symington dam and install riparian fencing in a productive tributary. The goals of our restoration work in Big Beef Creek are to (1) increase main stem channel complexity and promote natural sediment processes; (2) improve spawning habitat conditions, especially for summer chum; (3) increase the amount of available winter rearing habitat for juvenile coho, steelhead, and cutthroat, especially off-channel areas; (4) promote and protect functioning riparian habitats, especially in productive tributaries. Duckabush River: HCSEG received 2017 funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to complete the design and permitting for the Duckabush Oxbow Side Channel Restoration project. This project involves the reconnection of an historic side channel on the lower Duckabush river. The parcel containing this spring-fed side channel is now owned by the Jefferson Land Trust, who holds the property for conservation purposes. Fill material placed on the site is a likely cause of the side channel disconnection. The design will include the reconnection of the side channel, which currently traps fish after high flow events, as well as large wood placements, floodplain restoration, and native planting. Together, these elements will provide valuable spring-fed backwater habitat, structure that will provide refuge for juvenile salmon, and improved floodplain and sediment processes. HCSEG expects to apply for next year s funding round to complete construction during the summer of Sand lance are one of many important forage fish that salmon depend on. Large woody debris along the Big Quilcene River. One of 13 log jams placed by HCSEG on Big Beef Creek in The Duckabush River where Highway 101 crosses the estuary. 18

20 The Salmon Center P.O. Box 2169 (mailing address) 600 NE Roessel Rd (physical address) Belfair, WA (360) pnwsalmoncenter.org