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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 3, 2003
Contact:
Mark
Swartout, Natural Resources Program Manager, 360-709-3079
Foundation
Grants Support Local Salmon Restoration Efforts
Olympia-
Local salmon recovery efforts in Thurston County received a $158,000 vote of
support in grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The
Foundation, in partnership with Thurston County, awarded four grants through
the new Thurston County Community Salmon Fund (Fund), established to support
the restoration of important salmon habitat and community stewardship of
Thurston County streams.
“This
program is a great opportunity for Thurston County communities,” said Cathy
Wolfe, Chair of the Thurston County Commission. “Our county’s salmon resources are vital and our
communities are excited to get involved in recovery.
Programs like this help spread the word that Thurston County and its
residents care about salmon.”
The Fund
awards grants for a variety of projects, from culvert replacements to
streamside planting. Up to
$50,000 is awarded to restoration projects that involve multiple community
partners including schools, stewardship groups, local governments and private
landowner associations.
“We
are extremely pleased with our partnership in Thurston County,” said
Krystyna Wolniakowski, Director of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation’s Pacific Northwest office.
“Our program strives to fund projects that bring substantial habitat
benefit with local community involvement and stewardship- these projects will
accomplish just that.”
The four
funded projects include:
- Budd
Inlet Project Development:
South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group will design and develop plans
for the restoration of important estuarine habitat.
- Restoration
of Lackamas Creek:
Thurston County Roads and Transportation Services will replace two
parallel culverts and plant native species on Lackamas Creek with the help
of volunteers from the Nisqually Stream Stewards, opening 2.5 miles of
stream to salmonid access.
- Lower
Eld Inlet Habitat Restoration:
The Capitol Land Trust, in partnership with YMCA Earth Service Corps,
Squaxin Island Tribe, Cascade Land Conservancy, Griffin Neighborhood
Association, Sound Native Plants, and others will restore salmonid access
to key salt marsh and wetlands, crucial for juvenile rearing.
- Yelm-Tenino
Trail Culvert Replacement:
Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department will work with the Heernet
Foundation and Backcountry Horseman to replace 3 culverts on Scatter Creek
with a bridge, restoring access to upstream habitat for coho salmon.
A
second grant round of the Thurston County Community Salmon Fund is planned for
spring 2004. For more information
about the program, contact Mark Swartout of Thurston County at (360) 709-3079,
e-mail swartom@co.thurston.wa.us;
or Helena Wiley of Evergreen Funding Consultants at (206) 691-0700, e-mail hwiley@evergreenfc.com.
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