Advocacy

Closing the Gap Between Science & Policy

The Wild Fish Conservancy advocates for socially responsible and scientifically credible wild fish conservation. We want risks acknowledged and addressed, data responded to appropriately, laws obeyed, and conservation-responsibilities distributed objectively and equitably. Wild Fish Conservancy advocacy is making fisheries management more transparent, strengthening land-use and water-quality regulations, and raising the bar for acceptable hatchery management.

Grassroots Organizing

We believe an essential component to driving large-scale change is empowering those most affected by an issue to mobilize within their communities to advocate for change.


Wild Fish Conservancy works to develop effective public awareness and education campaigns to better inform the public on a range of complex wild fish issues. We work with a network of wild fish advocates coastwide to build powerful, broad-based coalitions and to lead the public in campaigns and opportunities to support and advance responsible and science-based natural resource management.

Wild Salmon Recovery Initiative

Wild Fish Conservancy's Wild Salmon Recovery Initiative is intended to ensure that government agencies and decision-makers implement scientifically, socially, and legally responsible policies for the recovery of threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead and their aquatic ecosystems.

Projects Highlighting our Advocacy Efforts

Habitat Restoration

Chinook Bend-Tolt Large Wood Debris (LWD) Assessment

Wild Fish Conservancy worked with an environmental engineering firm to assess the feasibility of large wood (LWD) supplementation in the Snoqualmie River from its confluence with the Tolt River, downstream to Harris Creek near Chinook Bend Natural Area (River Mile 21-25). The assessment laid the foundation for conceptual designs that will detail instream LWD treatments in the Chinook Bend -Tolt reach of the Snoqualmie River. Public outreach was conducted to assess recreational boater usage in a 4-mile reach of the Snoqualmie River that is critical salmon habitat. The information gained from the public outreach was used to inform the design of conceptual Large Woody Debris (LWD) habitat restoration treatments in the reach.

Read More
Habitat Restoration

Deschutes Tributary Restoration Design

This project identifed, prioritized, and provided preliminary designs to restore a unique Deschutes River spring fed wetland and stream
complex. Restoration actions identified include removing three failing culverts, livestock
exclusion fencing to protect streams and wetlands, instream LWD placement, and riparian restoration, along with a suite of farm management BMPs.

Read More
Habitat Restoration

Finn Creek Restoration Design

WFC seaks to to restore the natural processes in lower Finn Creek that create and sustain habitats used by wild fish populations, while meeting County (landowner) flood and park amenity objectives.

Read More
Research

Clayoquot Sound, B.C. Sea Lice Study

In 2009, Wild Fish Conservancy started a research program to help shed light on the Clayoquot salmon crisis. The reasons for salmon declines are undoubtedly complex. As a first step, WFC plans to determine if sea lice may be part of the problem.

Read More
Fish Passage

Maxwelton Tidegate Study

Collection and synthesis of fish-distribution data for evaluation of fish-passage effectiveness at a retrofitted tide gate at the mouth of Maxwelton Creek on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound.

Read More
Fish Passage

Little Quilcene Assessment

WFC conducted a rapid watershed assessment, analyzed the current status of salmon stocks, and developed a comprehensive suite of restoration actions intended to quickly improve habitat conditions for native wild fish in the Little Quilcene River basin

Read More
BDA

Chehalis Basin Beaver Dam Analogs

Beaver Dam Analogs are simple artificial structures designed to mimic the form and function of natural beaver dams. They are built into existing wetlands and channels to encourage channel rejuvenation and support beaver reintroduction.

Read More
eDNA

Gig Harbor Peninsula Water Type Assessment

WFC ground truthed and corrected water type classifications in approx. 90 mi of streams that drain the Gig Harbor Peninsula. Additionally, WFC filled critical data gaps on ESA-listed fish species composition and distribution via field observations and through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA).

Read More
Fish Passage

Harris Creek Family Forest Fish Passage Project

This project removed an undersized culvert which crossed under a private forest land road. The culvert was 67% passable and was replaced with an 18′ by 15′ by 7′ concrete box culvert. This project improved access to 5.43 miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat for coho,  and cutthroat, steelhead, and bull trout.

Read More
Fish Passage

Gheer Creek Fish Passage

The project goal is to improve wild fish access to over ten miles of habitat that has been blocked for several decades, restoring a self sustaining wild salmon and steelhead population to Gheer Creek while providing an excellent outreach and education opportunity for the community. In addition to implementing fish passage improvements, Wild Fish Conservancy will work long-term with WA Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure hatchery practices in Gheer. Creek are compatible with wild fish recovery efforts there.

Read More