The Ecology of Pacific Salmonids
Instructors: Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Cramer Fish Sciences

• September 2-3 | Seattle, WA
  The Seattle Aquarium-Downtown Waterfront
• September 16-17 | Red Bluff, CA
  Red Bluff Community Center
• November 5 | Anchorage, AK
  William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center
• December 2-3 | Port Hadlock, WA
  The Inn at Port Hadlock, Olympic Peninsula
  THIS CLASS IS ALMOST FULL, WE CAN ACCEPT THREE MORE OVER THE PHONE REGISTRATIONS
  206. 762. 1976 THANK YOU!

Pacific Salmonid Spawning Habitat Restoration
Instructors: Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Cramer Fish Sciences

• September 4-5 | Seattle, WA
  The Seattle Aquarium-Downtown Waterfront
• September 18-19 | Red Bluff, CA
  Red Bluff Community Center
• October 2-3 | Portland, OR
  Audubon Society of Portland
• November 6-7 | Anchorage, AK
  William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center
• December 4-5 | Port Hadlock, WA
  The Inn at Port Hadlock, Olympic Peninsula
  ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT IN THIS CLASS!

Salmonids, including Pacific salmon and trout, are an important component of the ecological function and economy for western North America. Salmon and trout of the Pacific Coast have evolved in spite of natural disturbances such as floods, fires, volcanoes, wind-throw and disease. In fact, these influences have helped each species maintain their resiliency.

Natural disturbances tend to be relatively severe but localized, allowing for ecosystem recovery. However, human-caused disturbances may have a magnitude so great that irreversible changes to the aquatic community may occur or increase the severity of impacts from natural disturbances (e.g., flooding), having both acute and chronic impacts to salmonids. Human activities can also cause such widespread gradual changes across the landscape that the recovery potential of individual ecosystems or their components, including salmonid stocks, is altered.

While each salmonid species is unique, the genetic diversity within species across drainages may be as significant as those found across different species. Yet, certain fundamental biological requirements are the basis for all management, recovery or protection initiatives for salmonid streams. This course provides a greater understanding of:

• Origins and evolution of Pacific North American Salmon;
  
• Life stages of salmon and trout in both coastal and inland streams and
  
• The habitat requirements applicable to each stage;
  
• Substrate quality and hydraulic flow affecting spawning behavior and redd success;
  
• How habitat features, instream complexity, bank structure and large woody debris influence success of salmonids at different lifestages;
  
• How water chemistry, water temperature and food availability impact trout and salmon behavior; and
  
• How migration patterns can be impeded or enhanced by changes in flow, water quality, barriers or obstacles

Discover how to integrate physical, biological and aesthetic objectives into habitat improvement design; characterize and estimate sediment transport and budgets for enhancement sites; and to design effective monitoring programs.

Material selection, contracting procedures, and data and project presentation will be covered. Examples of techniques will be provided from both successful and failed restoration projects. All students receive a comprehensive habitat restoration manual.

The course will provide general training in: design, implementation, and monitoring of instream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers.

About the Instructor:

Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D., is a registered scientist with the American Fisheries Society. He has over 18 years experience working with aquatic resources and has been the principal scientist on several salmonid habitat restoration programs in the California Central Valley.

He has taught environmental science, salmon biology and restoration courses for the past eight years.

• assessing existing habitat and collecting and analyzing field data
  
• integrating physical, biological and aesthetic objectives into habitat improvement design
• characterizing and estimating sediment transport and sediment budgets for enhancement sites
• esigning effective monitoring programs
• choosing appropriate fish habitat improvement designs
• understanding enhancement limitations

Intended Audience: This course is specifically designed for practitioners and agency personnel, including biologists, ecologists, hydrologists, planners and regulators involved with stream issues

Prerequisites: None

Continuing Education Units: 1.3

Intended Audience: Designed for practitioners and agency personnel involved with field data collection, detailed design and/or review of river restoration projects, this course provides general training in design, implementation and monitoring of in-stream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers, with an emphasis on the issues surrounding Pacific salmonid spawning.

Prerequisites: Suggested - "The Ecology of Pacific Salmonids"

Continuing Education Units: 1.3

Course Materials: Attendees will receive a binder containing workshop proceedings and reference material.

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, notepad, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Coffee, tea, breakfast pastries, drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch on your own.

Registration for each session: $495 (*$395 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). You may register online or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.