The rivers and wild fish of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington play a vital role in the region's ecosystem and are essential to its health and productivity. These waterways support diverse plant and animal communities, provide critical habitat for fish and other wildlife, and play a key role in maintaining water quality and cycling nutrients. To protect the ecological integrity of the Olympic Peninsula and its wild fish populations, it is important to conserve critical habitat, and implement sustainable land-use practices through a groundswell of community efforts, involvement, and collaboration.
The Threat:
Wild fish species such as salmon, steelhead, and trout have evolved to thrive in the unique conditions of the rivers and streams throughout the Olympic Peninsula and play a critical role in the food chain, providing sustenance for other species and supporting the overall health of the ecosystem. However, these habitats face numerous threats, including habitat degradation, loss of critical spawning and rearing areas, water pollution, and climate change.
Our key area of focus for the Olympic Peninsula is Habitat. Learn more about the science behind the 5 H’s and their importance to the revival of wild abundance here.
Our Goals:
Native Fish Society's goal is to solidify ongoing relationships with Tribal Nations through volunteer engagement on habitat and fish conservation issues throughout the rivers and streams of the Olympic Peninsula. Additionally, to also build upon past successful volunteer projects to create a strong network of active, local advocates of wild native fish on the Olympic Peninsula.
How is NFS working to achieve our goal?
We are continuing outreach to establish partnerships with the Quileute and Hoh nations in order to best collaborate on conservation efforts with local tribal nations. We are also focused on prioritizing stopping habitat degradation before it starts through volunteer opportunities to promote habitat stewardship, including several ongoing habitat restoration projects, monitoring activities, and community engagement events.
Successes & Accomplishments to Date:
Native Fish Society members and supporters were invited to participate in macroinvertebrate studies with the Quileute Tribe providing an opportunity to collaborate with local groups and community members.
Macroinvertebrate sampling is key to understanding how well a stream is doing in supporting fish. If you want to read more about what conservation activities the Quileute Tribe has been conducting, visit here.
Continued forming solid contacts and relationships with Quileute and Hoh Nation members/staff and Clallam County staff, thus building upon a growing relationship with local communities and tribal nations.
How Can You Help?
Get involved!
You can help make a difference in the Olympic Peninsula by volunteering, making a donation, or spreading the word about the importance of community engagement in the name of conservation. Send us a message if you have any questions, or would like to be notified of any upcoming volunteer opportunities and/or Action Alerts for the protection and revival of the Olympic Peninsula.
Also please consider attending the monthly WDFW Commission meetings (conducted via Zoom) and testifying for the protection of the wild runs of native fish in the Olympic Peninsula. There are many opportunities for advocacy, and the wild steelhead need the voices of our communities to speak up for them.
