The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is one of 12 original Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, or RFEGs, created by the Washington State Legislature in 1990. There are now 14 RFEGs across Washington state. The RFEGs were created to be active partners in assisting Washington State in salmon recovery efforts, supported by community volunteers. The RFEGs were tasked with supplementing fish populations, restoring salmon habitat, and developing salmon-related education programs. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status in November 1990.
We create educational programming, conduct research, and demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices at the edge of salmon habitat.
We offer or conduct: dozens of educational opportunities every year to the general public and K-12 school children; on-site programs and projects like 4-H, a certified organic garden and farm; salmon habitat restoration projects up and down the watersheds of Hood Canal; a vibrant salmon and steelhead restoration program, currently active in the Union, Dewatto, Little Quilcene and Tahuya Rivers; a knotweed control program on several river systems; and hundreds of volunteer opportunities.
Wild salmon are unique and their life history encompasses forests, estuaries, and open marine environments. The journey of the wild salmon from the forest to the ocean is not one way, however. In an extraordinary life strategy, adult wild salmon typically return to the forest watersheds where they were hatched two to five years after swimming to and living in the ocean. The return of wild salmon to their natal watersheds is key to the functional health of the environment.
The story of the wild salmon can be told through the eyes of a stream bug, forest bird, heron, eagle, seal, orca, or person. The story from each is important; but without the wild salmon there is no story.