2018 ANNUAL REPORT Striving to Recover Salmon by Engaging Our Community in Restoration, Education and Stewardship
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2018 ANNUAL REPORT Striving to recover salmon by engaging our community in restoration, education and stewardship NOOKSACK SALMON ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION DEAR NSEA COMMUNITY, NOOKSACK SALMON On behalf of all of us at NSEA, I’d like to thank you for helping us protect and recover the salmon population (here ENHANCEMENT in Whatcom County) by supporting our work. As you ASSOCIATION are aware, we believe that salmon are an essential part of 3057 E. Bakerview Road our regional environment, our culture, and our economy. Bellingham, WA 98226 This belief is embodied in our mission statement: “NSEA 360.715.0283 strives to recover salmon by engaging our community www.n-sea.org in restoration, education and stewardship.” So, when you contribute to our efforts by sharing your ideas, volunteering to plant trees, helping to teach kids, or simply by donating to NSEA, you are helping to further our mission, and ensuring that salmon are a part of our collective future. Thank you. NSEA’s three core program areas—restoration, education and stewardship— are focused on improving the health of local watersheds, one tree at a time, both for salmon and for our community. As we look back on 2018, the dedication that donors, volunteers, staff, board members, landowners and salmon recovery BELIEF partners have demonstrated by donating time, money and ideas is truly humbling. We all have so much in common; we believe that salmon can and should thrive in We believe that our local waters. In our collective partnership, we are investing in their future and salmon are an in our own. essential part of our 2018 was a very productive year for NSEA, one that was marked by environment, culture internal organizational growth, which directly translated in greater program accomplishments. However, there is still MUCH more that remains to be and economy. done. In the accompanying annual report, we cover some highlights, but PLEASE let us know if you have additional questions or want more information. We are VISION always glad to hear from you, and while we are always trying to improve, our We envision efforts are stronger and more complete when we have your feedback and input. It is in large part because of your input and assistance that we are able to solve abundant salmon, problems and overcome the challenges that we face on an ongoing basis. We must healthy streams and continue to be creative in strategizing how to do the most with the resources we a supportive, engaged have; and we need to be as efficient and effective as possible in our mission to community. recover salmon. Your involvement matters, and you are appreciated. I am confident that NSEA’s focus on building our community around MISSION salmon recovery is taking us in the right direction. By focusing our efforts to recover salmon, improve stream health, increase climate change resiliency, and We strive to recover improve our environment, NSEA’s work benefits ALL of our community members. salmon by engaging Thank you again for believing in NSEA and in the importance of salmon. our community in Together we are making a difference, and we are making our world a better place. restoration, education Gratefully, and stewardship. Rachel Vasak, Executive Director PHOTO CREDITS: BRETT BAUNTON NSEA STAFF AND FRIENDS THE PEOPLE OF NSEA 2018 BOARD Kate Underwood 2018-2019 Joe Dobell Ben Smith OF DIRECTORS FINANCE AND OFFICE Chelsea Blank MANAGER Kristin Garner Ryan Walls ASST. SUPERVISOR Dorie Belisle Sean Gilluly Rachel Vasak Seth Cavin ENVIRONMENTAL Christy Bell EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Davis Hagedom EDUCATION INTERNS Andrew Fallabella Leo Bodensteiner Carolyn Hartman Alison Anders WASHINGTON Devin Soliday Jeremy Brown Farwa Hashmi Meredith Bee SERVICE CORPS David Stein Analiese Burns Aidan Hersh Megan Boice 2017-2018 James van der Voort Joe Dozal SUPERVISOR Noah Matijascic Alexis Burton Raena Anderson Rose Anne Savannah McGhee Susan Carr Kyle Bradshaw Featherston FUTURE LEADERS Erica Pan Adelaide Connelly Vilina Sandburn-Bill OF WHATCOM Don Hunger Ashley Parks Kristin Garner WATERS (FLOW) Phelps McIlvaine Katie Storrs INTERNS Jordan Pritchard Brant Hylinski Mike McRory 2018-2019 Sam Richardson Molly Johnson Raena Anderson STREAM STEWARD Shoshana Paige INTERNS Kyla Rohde Jake Kohlenburg Michelle Smith Saran Brown Alaina Bash Michael Schroeder Shelby Kremenich Mike Stoner Megan Madamba Kris Breckon Devin Soliday Zachary Pattek Zachary Patteck STAFF RIVER STEWARD INTERNS WASHINGTON Molly Adshead Chrissa Browder-Long HABITAT RESTORATION CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN CORPS Sarah Cailotto Heather Decker Joe Dobell 2017-2018 OFFICE ASSISTANT Savannah McGhee Molly Adshead Eli DeWitt Taylor Pearson PROJECT COORDINATOR Josh Assink McKenzie Pfeifer Darrell Gray ASST. SUPERVISOR PROJECT MANAGER Chelsea Blank Tori Wood Amy Johnson Damian Howder Espen Yeckel ADVANCEMENT MANAGER ASST. SUPERVISOR MONITORING INTERNS Kendra Krantz Brad Morin PROGRAM COORDINATOR Trina Byers James van der Voort Annitra Peck SUPERVISOR Steve Lee PROGRAM DIRECTOR Ben Smith Ben Smith HABITAT RESTORATION TECHNICIAN BACKGROUND PHOTOS BY BRETT BY BAUNTON PHOTOS BACKGROUND 2018 HIGHLIGHTS RESTORATION EDUCATION STEWARDSHIP STUDENTS FOR SALMON PROGRAM STREAM STEWARDS PROGRAM 17 New projects 10 Fish passage barriers removed 1,751 Students 3,688 Trees planted by community volunteers 15.3 Miles of improved fish access 91% Increase in knowledge to upstream habitat 1,426 Work party volunteers 3,800 lbs. of invasive vegetation 40 LWD structures installed removed 4,219.5 Volunteer hours 3,400 Feet of riparian habitat 305 Trees planted by students 32 Work parties improved 30 Schools 20 Stream Steward FLOW Interns 6 ,112 Trees and shrubs planted 78 Classrooms 2,617 Stream Steward FLOW 16,400 Feet of riparian habitat Interns hours Field trips maintained 78 NOOKSACK RIVER STEWARDS 75 Teachers 29 Previous riparian projects PROGRAM maintained 299 Parent volunteers 2,907 Visitor Contacts 36 Projects sites were monitored 1,168 Parent volunteer hours 1,387 lbs. trash and invasive 1,566 Environmental Education vegetation removed along the FLOW Intern hours Nooksack River 47 Community Presentations 12 Environmental Education FLOW Interns 8 River Steward FLOW Interns 1,807 River Steward Intern hours SALMON SIGHTING OUTREACH EVENTS 7 Community Events 597 Community members attended 16 Salmon Sighting Event volunteers 3 Salmon Sighting Events NSEANSEA MAKES MAKES EVERY EVERY PENNY PENNY COUNT! COUNT! 2018 Operating Income Funding Sources: Operations 14% Education Fee for Service Grants 13% Fundraising Foundation & $26,405 3% Business Grants Miscellaneous Revenue $262,419 $26,523 Stewardship Temporarily Restricted 8% Investment Earnings $140,000 Donor Contributions Outreach $144,211 4% Donor Restricted Contributions $109,789 Government Grants $872,393 Habitat Restoration 58% 2018 Operating Expense Northwest Salmon Recovery Operations Fund Endowment Fundraising 8% $3,000,000 2% Education Stewardship 13% 8% $2,500,000 Outreach $2,000,000 11% $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $- Habitat Restoration 58% Temporarily Restricted Investment Earnings Permanetly Restricted Endowment Donations To see NSEA's audited Financial Statements and 990 please go to www.n-sea.org/publications RESTORATION HIGH CREEK FISH PASSAGE in 2018. WDFW provided the project necessary. PROJECT design and engineering, and NSEA NSEA returned this fall to improve completed the project permitting and the riparian buffer along the entire During the summer of 2018, implementation. project reach. The established alder, NSEA worked with the Whatcom Because there were substantial maple and cottonwood trees already Conservation District (WCD), Natural artificial drops at three of the present will provide shade while Resource Conservation Service sites, it was necessary to regrade the new plants get established and (NRCS), and Washington Department approximately 1,000 feet of stream greatly increase natural native plant of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to channel. This was accomplished by the regeneration. remove four consecutive fish passage placement of larger cobble and logs This project provides fish passage to barriers on High Creek, a tributary to create a stream gradient more in 3.2 miles of upstream habitat. NSEA, of Kendall Creek in the North Fork line with upstream and downstream project partners and the landowners Nooksack River Watershed. reference reaches. are anxiously awaiting the return of These barriers had been identified Working on adjacent properties adult salmon since the removal of by WDFW during a previous made the movement of equipment these barriers. We will be conducting assessment. The WCD was able and materials more efficient, spawner surveys within and above the to secure funding through the reducing construction time to three project reach annually for the next NRCS Environmental Quality weeks. We were able to work around three years to document the project’s Improvement Program to complete much of the existing vegetation and success. the multiple barrier removal project only removed trees when absolutely In addition to this project, NSEA AFTER BEFORE Upper High Creek crossing pre-project, above. At right, upper High Creek post-project showing removal of the barrier and regrading of the channel allowing fish passage for the first time in many years. worked with the same partners during the summer to remove six more fish passage barriers in the Kamm, Deer, Scott and Squalicum Creek watersheds improving fish access to 11.8 miles of upstream habitat. BP Terrell Creek planting monitored for survival, growth,