On October 10th, the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group will be holding their 8th Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour event at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon, WA
Attendees can expect films showcasing beautiful and inspiring imagery, with themes addressed such as native fishing rights, environmental activism, climate change, recreational fishing, and volunteer science–all things that Skagit Fisheries is interested in starting conversations about as an organization. This evening of short films will kick off with a reception with live music starting at 6 pm, followed by the film showing at 7pm.
The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group was formed in 1990 to involve their communities in habitat restoration and watershed stewardship to enhance salmon populations. As a nonprofit and non-governmental organization, they have unique cooperative relationships with local landowners, conservation groups, government agencies, and tribes.
Through the hard work of their volunteers and professional restoration staff, they have been recognized as a local leader in salmon restoration. As one of 14 Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in Washington State, the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group are part of a coordinated effort to educate and involve the public in salmon enhancement activities across the state at the community level.
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group works throughout the greater Skagit River watershed, including the Skagit and Samish River watersheds, and the watersheds of the San Juan Islands and northern Whidbey Island. This watershed is a unique ecosystem home to all 5 species of salmon and 3 species of sea-going trout. The Skagit River and Island Communities are amazing and unique places that need help to keep them healthy for years to come.
The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group’s projects are designed to improve and protect local watersheds by restoring native riparian forest and marine shorelines, improving fish passage, reconnecting and enhancing off-channel habitats, and providing stewardship of lands dedicated to conservation
To support this work, SFEG works with dedicated volunteers to maintain a native plant nursery. They also engage volunteers to assist with project implementation and monitoring.
Staff from SFEG visit community groups to give presentations on salmon habitat restoration in our area. These presentations focus on various subject areas including salmon biology and habitat requirements, habitat restoration techniques, and volunteer opportunities.
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group also provides classroom education experiences such as the Kids in Creeks program, as well as their Salmon in Schools program which is designed to engage students at local elementary schools in learning firsthand about the amazing journey of salmon by raising salmon eggs from the Marblemount Fish Hatchery and releasing them into schools’ neighborhood streams.
Holly Henderson, Communications and Development Coordinator for the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, says, “Hosting this event will aid in spreading awareness of Skagit Fisheries’ mission to restore salmon for generations to come. By instilling a desire for stewardship of local waterways and land, we hope to encourage our community to help us care for the natural wonders of the Skagit Valley that provide so much for us, from bountiful agricultural harvests to fish harvests.”
Henderson continues, “As Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Groups Communications and Development Coordinator, my favorite part of putting this event on is getting the opportunity to share why exactly we do the work we do with audiences that may not be familiar with us. Reaching new audiences allows us to talk to people that have never seen salmon spawn, have never planted a tree, or don’t think they can do anything to help restore habitat, and tell them that all of these things are possible in their own community. Through the beautiful films provided by the Film Festival, we are able to rally folks around a mutual love of art to encourage everyone involved to do their part to help keep the Skagit Wild & Scenic.”
