How Salmon Habitat Restoration is Creating Jobs and Reviving California’s Rivers

Articles

Mar 1

The North Coast Coho Project (NCCP) is putting in the hard work to restore salmon and steelhead habitat in Northern California, and thanks to a fresh batch of funding, they’re keeping both fish and local folks happy. With over .85 million in grants from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the NCCP is tackling priority restoration projects that will open up more habitat, improve fish passage, and boost struggling salmon populations. That’s great news for the fish, but it’s also a win for the community—this work supports at least 75 local jobs, from foresters to construction crews, proving that conservation isn’t just about fish; it’s about people, too.

Trout Unlimted — Picture from: Trout Unlimited

And if you’re wondering just how much of an impact this crew has made, here’s a number for you—1,450 miles of restored stream and 72,000 dump trucks worth of sediment kept out of fish habitat. That’s no small feat. The NCCP, now the biggest non-governmental salmon restoration effort in California, has built a solid reputation with local stakeholders, tribes, and timber companies, making sure this work benefits everyone involved. At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping the rivers flowing, the fish thriving, and the community working. Now that’s what we call a win-win.