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please contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator. Phone: (360) 902-2252 Fax: (360) 902-2157 Email: volunteers@dfw.wa.gov RFEG Information
RFEG Annual Reports Other volunteer information:
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Executive Summary Dedicated to Community-based Salmon Enhancement in Washington State The Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups are a statewide network of non-profit community based salmon enhancement organizations. In 1990, the Washington State Legislature created the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Program to involve local communities, citizen volunteers, and landowners in the state’s salmon recovery efforts. The 14 Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) share the unique role of involving communities in salmon enhancement activities across the state. The RFEGs have a common goal of enhancing salmonid populations and habitat in their regions, and leveraging contributions and support from local communities. The RFEGs create dynamic partnerships with local, state and federal agencies; Native American tribes; local businesses; citizen groups; and landowners. Through these collaborative efforts, RFEGs help lead their communities in successful enhancement, restoration, assessment, education and monitoring projects. Each RFEG works within a specific geographic region based generally on watershed boundaries (see map). Every group is a separate, non-profit organization led by their own board of directors and supported by their members. The RFEG Advisory Board, made up of citizens appointed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director, advocates for and helps coordinate the efforts of the RFEG Program. Individual donations and in-kind contributions from local community members and businesses are essential to the success of each RFEG. Partial funding for the RFEG Program comes from a portion of commercial and recreational fishing license fees and egg and carcass sales administered by the WDFW. Individual RFEGs also must obtain many grants from other government and private entities to supplement declining license sale income provided through the WDFW program. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, the RFEGs collectively completed 295 projects ranging from education and outreach to monitoring and of course on the ground salmon enhancement projects. RFEG volunteers donated over 76,327 hours to these salmon enhancement efforts in 2004-05. Half of the RFEGs participated in fish production projects, releasing 3,393,180 fish to their local watersheds. 46 fish passage improvement projects opened 67 miles of habitat for migrating salmon. 37 miles of habitat was enhanced and restored for salmonids and 150,600 salmon carcasses were returned to streams to add nutrients to local watersheds for juvenile salmon, bears, eagles and over 130 other species of wildlife. The RFEG Program makes a special contribution to Washington’s salmon recovery efforts by:
Contact your local RFEG and learn how you can contribute to local salmon enhancement efforts. |
