Hood Canal... composed of 25 major watersheds, encompassing over 1,100 square miles, 800,000 acres, holds some of the states largest estuarine areas and is the returning point for four of the five salmon species as well as several species of edible shellfish. It is also the sanctuary of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) that has invested a whopping $6,379,866 into its restoration since 1997.

Collaborating with over 78 public/private partnerships, and 38 separate funding sources, they’ll spend $5 million through grants, donations and volunteer dollars this year alone. “It has taken considerable planning and vision to develop the long-term goals and on-going successes of salmon restoration in Hood Canal” says Executive Director, Neil Werner, adding “Partnerships are at the forefront of this effort, it’s the community and the on-the-ground effort that makes it happen.”

Indeed, it is the primary goal of the group to create self-sustaining populations of genetically diverse, wild salmon, which can be realized through the commitment of community stewardship. Education through data collection, research, partnerships and outreach programs has been the group’s major focus towards attaining this goal.

By far the most passionate, Al Adams reads aloud from their stated mission

“The HCSEG envisions the Hood Canal watershed as a place where the waters are teeming with life, the environmental quality is high, the fishery is one of the best in the world and the community actively supports conservation and participates in management decisions. Creating a healthy, self-sustaining environment will be realized with a blend of science, education and the efforts of the local community.

As more salmon return, the available habitat provides the potential for salmon populations to recover to naturally sustainable levels.” Forty-nine projects in 15 watersheds have resulted in the recovery of a tremendous amount of habitat available for salmon.

The HCSEG is in the early stages of a 10 year nutrification study, led by Lee Boad, on the impacts of salmon carcasses to an entire watershed, from the birds to the bears, the salamanders to the cedars. “The premise that ‘salmon built the forest of the northwest’ is a long-term result of generations of salmon delivering large quantities of these nutrients back to the stream systems.

Research has shown that marine derived nutrients, from salmon carcasses in the streams, is necessary for vegetation of the riparian area and supports benthic invertebrates, a food source for young salmon. We need to understand that returning salmon are a transport mechanism, they do more than provide fisheries and reproduce.”

The HCSEG has seen many young adults go forward into environmental careers through its scholarship and intern programs — Lee Boad was one of them. Applications are being sought until mid-April and are open to all students within the watershed.

For more information on how you can be involved or become a member contact hcseg@hctc.com or visit www.hcseg.com to learn more.