SPAWN (Salmon Protection and Watershed Network)
Encyclopedia
SPAWN, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, is a project of the Turtle Island Restoration Network
(TIRN), a United States
501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization.
SPAWN's stated mission is to "protect endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Creek
Watershed
and the environment on which we all depend." SPAWN uses a multi-faceted approach to accomplish their mission including grassroots action, habitat restoration, policy development, research and monitoring, citizen training, environmental education, strategic litigation, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies.
has been identified as the most important spawning
and rearing habitat for wild coho salmon
left in California. Coho in the Central California Evolutionarily Significant Unit (CCCESU) are a Federal and State listed Endangered Species
considered to be "in imminent danger of extinction
."
Despite having the best run of wild coho left in the State, estimated at up to 30 percent of the State’s total in 2007, only on average 500 adult salmon
currently return each year to spawn
here. The Lagunitas Creek
Watershed is also important habitat for federally listed steelhead trout and California freshwater shrimp.
SPAWN performs its work with the assistance of volunteer and pro bono contributions. Many dedicated individuals in the San Geronimo Valley, Marin County, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area have made a lasting impact on the accomplishments and history of SPAWN.
Todd Steiner, the founder, discovered migrating coho salmon
stuck at Roy’s Dam in 1997 on the San Geronimo Valley
Golf Course, unable to migrate upstream to spawn
and complete their amazing life history. Steiner contacted the media to expose the plight of these recently listed endangered species
and contacting National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) asking for an emergency permit to move the fish above the crumbling dam obstruction.
That night on the news, the plight of the salmon
was beamed into Bay Area homes on five TV stations. Steiner set up his young son’s painting easel at Roy’s Dam with a hastily written petition asking for government action, as hundreds of people came forward to witness the spectacle first hand, sign the petition, and offer help. Residents, the general public, NGOs and government agencies came together to fix the immediate problem and Roy’s Dam was transformed into Roy’s Pools.
SPAWN has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one with a full-time staff who coordinate the work of hundreds of volunteers and interns. In 1999 SPAWN was incorporated as a program under the umbrella of the non-profit 501(c)(3) environmental organization Turtle Island Restoration Network
(TIRN).
and the Lagunitas Creek
Watershed. These include habitat restoration, fish rescue, citizen training, creek monitoring, creek walks, land acquisition and water conservation.
Watershed. Volunteers work to plant native trees and understory plants, and remove invasive species. In 2005 SPAWN launched a community-based native plant nursery program that serves to grow thousands of native plants to support local restoration programs and provide plants to landowners living along stream corridors in the San Geronimo Valley
.
in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. Streams are surveyed and as it becomes apparent that pools will dry completely, and based on previous years observations at known sites, relocation efforts begin. Relocation usually begins in June but can start as early as April depending on creek flows and rainfall. Over 15,000 juvenile coho and steelhead have been saved from imminent mortality since this effort began in 1999. Rescue and relocation efforts take place under State and Federal permits.
seminar series, spawning
salmon
surveying and water quality
monitoring.
monitoring, out-migrant salmon
smolt
monitoring, and spawning
salmon
monitoring. Each year SPAWN also responds to many calls from concerned citizens about problems or emergencies on their property or at large. Staff and volunteers respond to these calls and help refer problems to the appropriate agencies if necessary or find ways to prevent or repair the problem.
Watershed for the public to view spawning
salmon
and provide education on watershed management
issues. The walks are led by volunteer Naturalists that are trained through SPAWN’s annual Creek Naturalist Training Program each October.
Watershed from increased development. SPAWN is promoting the creation of a land conservancy to protect the riparian habitat through land acquisition and conservation easements on private parcels along the watershed.
program is focused on reducing the impacts of stormwater
runoff on local streams and ensuring adequate in stream flow and spawning
and rearing habitat for coho salmon
and steelhead in the Lagunitas Creek
. In partnership with the Marin
Community Foundation, SPAWN recently launched a community-based program, the Marin
County Stormwater
Catchment & Water Conservation
Initiative, to provide technical support, cost-share support and incentives to landowners who reduce runoff from their properties using roof-water harvesting techniques.
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Turtle Island Restoration Network is a United States 501 non-profit organization founded in 1989 whose mission is:To take swift and decisive action to protect and restore marine species and their habitats and to inspire people in communities all over the world to join us as active and vocal marine...
(TIRN), a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization.
SPAWN's stated mission is to "protect endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
and the environment on which we all depend." SPAWN uses a multi-faceted approach to accomplish their mission including grassroots action, habitat restoration, policy development, research and monitoring, citizen training, environmental education, strategic litigation, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies.
Lagunitas Creek Watershed
The Lagunitas Creek Watershed in Marin County, CaliforniaMarin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
has been identified as the most important spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
and rearing habitat for wild coho salmon
Coho salmon
The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
left in California. Coho in the Central California Evolutionarily Significant Unit (CCCESU) are a Federal and State listed Endangered Species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
considered to be "in imminent danger of extinction
Extinction
In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
."
Despite having the best run of wild coho left in the State, estimated at up to 30 percent of the State’s total in 2007, only on average 500 adult salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
currently return each year to spawn
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
here. The Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed is also important habitat for federally listed steelhead trout and California freshwater shrimp.
SPAWN performs its work with the assistance of volunteer and pro bono contributions. Many dedicated individuals in the San Geronimo Valley, Marin County, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area have made a lasting impact on the accomplishments and history of SPAWN.
History
The seeds of SPAWN, the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network, were planted when biologistBiologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
Todd Steiner, the founder, discovered migrating coho salmon
Coho salmon
The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
stuck at Roy’s Dam in 1997 on the San Geronimo Valley
San Geronimo Valley
San Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
Golf Course, unable to migrate upstream to spawn
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
and complete their amazing life history. Steiner contacted the media to expose the plight of these recently listed endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
and contacting National Marine Fisheries Service
National Marine Fisheries Service
The National Marine Fisheries Service is a United States federal agency. A division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Commerce, NMFS is responsible for the stewardship and management of the nation's living marine resources and their habitat within the...
(NMFS) asking for an emergency permit to move the fish above the crumbling dam obstruction.
That night on the news, the plight of the salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
was beamed into Bay Area homes on five TV stations. Steiner set up his young son’s painting easel at Roy’s Dam with a hastily written petition asking for government action, as hundreds of people came forward to witness the spectacle first hand, sign the petition, and offer help. Residents, the general public, NGOs and government agencies came together to fix the immediate problem and Roy’s Dam was transformed into Roy’s Pools.
SPAWN has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one with a full-time staff who coordinate the work of hundreds of volunteers and interns. In 1999 SPAWN was incorporated as a program under the umbrella of the non-profit 501(c)(3) environmental organization Turtle Island Restoration Network
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Turtle Island Restoration Network is a United States 501 non-profit organization founded in 1989 whose mission is:To take swift and decisive action to protect and restore marine species and their habitats and to inspire people in communities all over the world to join us as active and vocal marine...
(TIRN).
Programs
SPAWN drives seven active programs and campaigns that focus on protecting endangered salmonSalmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and the Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed. These include habitat restoration, fish rescue, citizen training, creek monitoring, creek walks, land acquisition and water conservation.
Habitat restoration
Each year SPAWN volunteers contribute many hundreds of hours towards restoring streamside habitat in the Lagunitas CreekLagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed. Volunteers work to plant native trees and understory plants, and remove invasive species. In 2005 SPAWN launched a community-based native plant nursery program that serves to grow thousands of native plants to support local restoration programs and provide plants to landowners living along stream corridors in the San Geronimo Valley
San Geronimo Valley
San Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
.
Fish rescue
SPAWN’s fish rescue program focuses on fish relocation efforts within the San Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo Valley
San Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. Streams are surveyed and as it becomes apparent that pools will dry completely, and based on previous years observations at known sites, relocation efforts begin. Relocation usually begins in June but can start as early as April depending on creek flows and rainfall. Over 15,000 juvenile coho and steelhead have been saved from imminent mortality since this effort began in 1999. Rescue and relocation efforts take place under State and Federal permits.
Citizen training
SPAWN organizes and facilitates a number of citizen training programs that includes a Creek Naturalist Training, native plant collection and propagation, salmonSalmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
seminar series, spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
surveying and water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring.
Creek monitoring
SPAWN oversees a number of creek monitoring programs including water qualityWater quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring, out-migrant salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
smolt
Smolt
Smolt may refer to:* Spawn , a juvenile fish.* Smolt , a project aimed at hardware information collection....
monitoring, and spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
monitoring. Each year SPAWN also responds to many calls from concerned citizens about problems or emergencies on their property or at large. Staff and volunteers respond to these calls and help refer problems to the appropriate agencies if necessary or find ways to prevent or repair the problem.
Creek walks
During the winter season (Nov-Jan) SPAWN organizes weekly creek walks in the Lagunitas CreekLagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed for the public to view spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and provide education on watershed management
Watershed management
Watershed management is the study of the relevant characteristics of a watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal, and human...
issues. The walks are led by volunteer Naturalists that are trained through SPAWN’s annual Creek Naturalist Training Program each October.
Land acquisition
SPAWN’s land acquisition program is focused on efforts to protect riparian habitat along the Lagunitas CreekLagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
Watershed from increased development. SPAWN is promoting the creation of a land conservancy to protect the riparian habitat through land acquisition and conservation easements on private parcels along the watershed.
Water conservation
SPAWN’s water conservationWater conservation
Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation.- Water conservation :Water conservation can be defined as:...
program is focused on reducing the impacts of stormwater
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt that enters the stormwater system...
runoff on local streams and ensuring adequate in stream flow and spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
and rearing habitat for coho salmon
Coho salmon
The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
and steelhead in the Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek
Lagunitas Creek is a stream in Marin County, California and is a major supply of drinking water to the area. The 20-mile long creek's headwaters are in the Coast Range and it flows into the Pacific Ocean, draining 103 square miles .The creek's source is the northern slope of Mount Tamalpais, a few...
. In partnership with the Marin
Marin
-Places:*Marin, Haute-Savoie, a commune in France*Le Marin, a commune in the French overseas department of Martinique*Marín, Nuevo León, a town and municipality in Mexico*Marín, Pontevedra, a municipality in Galicia, Spain*Marin County, California...
Community Foundation, SPAWN recently launched a community-based program, the Marin
Marin
-Places:*Marin, Haute-Savoie, a commune in France*Le Marin, a commune in the French overseas department of Martinique*Marín, Nuevo León, a town and municipality in Mexico*Marín, Pontevedra, a municipality in Galicia, Spain*Marin County, California...
County Stormwater
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt that enters the stormwater system...
Catchment & Water Conservation
Water conservation
Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation.- Water conservation :Water conservation can be defined as:...
Initiative, to provide technical support, cost-share support and incentives to landowners who reduce runoff from their properties using roof-water harvesting techniques.
Accomplishments
Since SPAWN’s beginnings in 1996 the program has achieved a number of accomplishments:- In 2008 SPAWN received the coveted Peter Behar Award from the Environmental Action Committee of West MarinWest MarinWest Marin is the largest rural region of Marin County, California.The West Marin Chamber of Commerce includes seven unincorporated communities in its definition of West Marin: Point Reyes Station, Olema, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Tomales, Dillon Beach, and Inverness...
and the prestigious Ted Wellman Award from the MarinMarin-Places:*Marin, Haute-Savoie, a commune in France*Le Marin, a commune in the French overseas department of Martinique*Marín, Nuevo León, a town and municipality in Mexico*Marín, Pontevedra, a municipality in Galicia, Spain*Marin County, California...
Conservation League for their efforts towards preserving the coho salmonCoho salmonThe Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
and their habitat.
- Identifying and documenting the importance of the San Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
that makes up only 10% of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed but upwards of 40% of the spawningSpawn (biology)Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
habitat and 30% of the young fish that rear in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed do so in this valley.
- Documenting the continued degradation of this critical habitat in the San Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
from the impacts of human development from hydrological disruption, and inputs of septic sewageSewageSewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
, pesticides and sedimentSedimentSediment is naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particle itself....
through water qualityWater qualityWater quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring and on-the-ground habitat assessments.
- Developing an environmental education program that has trained and organized hundreds of volunteers to learn and participate in habitat restoration techniques.
- Re-creating and repairing riparian habitat on private and public lands and educating local landowners to sound fish-friendly living practices.
- Growing a native plant nursery to provide local genetic stock plant material for restoration activities.
- Installing and developing rain catchment systems and rain gardens at individual homes and at local schools through its Rain Harvesting Program.
- Convincing the Marin County, California to conduct a cumulative impact analysis of development on the salmonSalmonSalmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
in the San Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo ValleySan Geronimo Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, composed of four unincorporated towns: Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas. Residents of San Geronimo Valley and surrounding areas refer to it as "The Valley." It is a fairly close-knit community, with a rather liberal...
and to place a two-year moratoriumMoratorium (law)A moratorium is a delay or suspension of an activity or a law. In a legal context, it may refer to the temporary suspension of a law to allow a legal challenge to be carried out....
on construction in the 100-foot riparian (creek) corridors.
- Helping defeat the Marin Municipal Water DistrictMarin Municipal Water DistrictThe Marin Municipal Water District is the government agency that provides drinking water to southern and central Marin County, California. Chartered in 1912, it became California's first municipal water district...
's efforts to expand the Russian RiverRussian RiverRussian River may refer to one of the following rivers in the United States:* Russian River * Russian River Russian River may also refer to a brewpub in Santa Rosa, California:* Russian River Brewing Company...
Pipeline and import more water to Marin County, which would have impacted salmon populations in the Russian RiverRussian RiverRussian River may refer to one of the following rivers in the United States:* Russian River * Russian River Russian River may also refer to a brewpub in Santa Rosa, California:* Russian River Brewing Company...
and Eel RiverEel River (California)The Eel River is a major river system of the northern Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. Approximately 200 miles long, it drains a rugged area in the California Coast Ranges between the Sacramento Valley and the ocean. For most of its course, the river flows northwest, parallel to the...
watersheds.