The League and CalTrout work to restore Prairie Creek
On California’s North Coast, approximately halfway between Eureka and Crescent City, the League began protecting portions of Prairie Creek in 1923. Dozens of transactions later, and after thousands of protected acres had been secured, the vast majority of this amazing waterway lies within today’s Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park. These protected lands are dripping with superlatives. Collectively they are a World Heritage site. The world’s tallest trees have been found here. The region is home to numerous endangered and threatened species including coho salmon and marbled murrelets. And, hundreds of thousands of people visit these magnificent redwood parks yearly.
Although the Prairie Creek watershed has been impacted over the years by roads and a history of logging, the creek remains vibrant. It is the lifeblood for the lush riparian ecosystem adjacent to the creek as well as the nearby forest. In addition to coho, and murrelets overhead, today it is home to Chinook salmon, and steelhead, as well as coastal cutthroat trout.
Working together last year on the Lower Prairie Creek Restoration Project, the League and California Trout received funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. By focusing on the confluence of Prairie and Redwood creeks, near the southern gateway to Redwood National and State Parks, the project is working on restoring rearing, spawning, and over-wintering habitat for three species of endangered salmon—coho, Chinook, and steelhead. These funds, and this collaborative relationship, are helping to restore a critical section of the larger watershed. By doing so, the League and California Trout plan on creating some of the best potential habitat to contribute to the recovery of these species.
The first year of this multi-year award provided funds to continue design, planning, and permitting activities. Subsequent funding for 2018 and beyond will be awarded annually, depending on needs and available federal funds.
The League and California Trout are also partnering on other projects in the watershed for the benefit of redwoods and fish, and look forward to continuing that relationship well into the next 100 years.
Yes, redwood and fish—perfect synergy.
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