Baumhardt, Alex. “Billions Spent on Hatcheries, Habitat Fails to Help Native Columbia River Salmon, Study Finds.” Opb, 5 Aug. 2023, https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/05/columbia-river-salmon-habitat-spending-study/

Professor William Jaeger and Biologist March Scheurell have looked at 50 years of native and hatchery salmon and steelhead return data from the Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River and have concluded local habitat restoration projects have been a failure. After years of overfishing, farm runoff, logging, mining, and damming, Steelhead, Chinook, coho, and sockeye numbers have been declining. The Bonneville Dam is where many salmon and steelhead deposit their eggs after spending years in the ocean, making it a high-priority area for hatchery and habitat restoration initiatives. Hatchery fish that have been released into the river have increased competition for food with native fish and have also spread some diseases to wild fish.

This is a very interesting case study of where our best intentions go wrong. Authorities were trying to restore fish numbers by introducing hatchery fish, but they’ve outcompeted wild fish to the detriment of the ecosystem. It is also amazing to see how much money was poured into restoring this area. It is estimated that the 200 salmon hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin have used $9 billion in taxpayer dollars during the last 40 years. This doesn’t even take into account the money spent by local governments, nonprofits, and NGOs. This is disheartening, and I hope we learn from this. I wonder how we can bring back wild salmon to a level that was seen before human development. It makes me wonder if there are any real differences between hatchery and wild salmon. There must be, but I can’t imagine what they’d be. This article is related to environmental science because it discusses a failed effort to restore

Nealon, Sean. “Dam Removals, Restoration Project on Klamath River Expected to Help Salmon, Researchers Conclude.” Life at OSU, 1 Nov. 2023, https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/dam-removals-restoration-project-klamath-river-expected-help-salmon-researchers-conclude

The Klamath River is the site of the largest dam removal project in the world. One dam along the river was already destroyed, and 3 more are slated to be destroyed in early 2024. This project will aid the salmon population by restoring their traditional migratory patterns and gaining projection against parasites and diseases in the region, which have been chipping away at their population for years. Recently, the Yurok, Hoopa, Klamath, and Karuk Tribes and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife among other environmental organizations published a paper detailing the benefits of removing the dams, which inspired the project to begin with. The project received $4.5 million in funding from Oregon State and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

This project represents an interesting dilemma. Some of the dams being taken down are hydroelectric and have previously generated a lot of clean energy. While taking them down would restore salmon habitat, it may also give non-renewable sources of energy a greater share of the market. This project poses some very interesting questions when it comes to our climate priorities. Regardless, it is definitely a positive that salmon populations will be repaired- especially considering the Klamath River was once the third largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. I wonder how quickly the river will take to repair, and what measures lawmakers will take to protect the river for years to come. This article is related to environmental science because it discusses the Klamath River’s ecosystem and the science behind removing the dams in the area. 

“Yakima River Ecosystem Restoration Project to Reconnect Floodplain and Restore Habitat.” Seattle District, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/3590807/yakima-river-ecosystem-restoration-project-to-reconnect-floodplain-and-restore/

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and Yakima County in Washington are preparing to restore the Yakima River’s connection to its historic, 320-acre, floodplain. This will require the restoration crew to remove and realign levees, create riverside channels, and remove spur dikes. This project cost $12 million and is funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Previously, levee projects in the area disrupted the habitat of endangered species like the steelhead and bull trout. As such, this project will hopefully bring the population of local species back to normal levels.

This is yet another project that makes me excited. The talent and genius that goes into these projects is astounding. I am happy that the federal government is investing so much money into habitat restoration and that they are putting their brightest minds on the job. It makes me wonder what the original levees in the area were for. Presumably, they were for flood protection, but I’m not sure. I wonder if restoring marshlands will have the same effect as this water control infrastructure in preventing floods. I am also curious how one gets involved in a project like this. It makes me wonder if community members can join the project to help out. This article relates to environmental science because it discusses an environmental restoration project that uses scientific principles to get the best results. It discusses unique interactions between the land and its native species, which is a discipline within environmental science.

Alpasan, Eunice. “$1.2M Wetlands Restoration Project on City’s Southeast Side Aims to Alleviate Flooding, Restore Wildlife Numbers.” WTTW News, 23 Oct. 2023, https://news.wttw.com/2023/10/23/12m-wetlands-restoration-project-city-s-southeast-side-aims-alleviate-flooding-restore

After three years, Audubon Great Lakes, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the Great Lakes Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have finally completed restoring 200 acres of wetland habitat at Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve in Chicago. They did this by installing underground pipes to reconnect Powderhorn Lake and Wolflake to the north, with the intention of restoring historic water levels in the area. These connecting waterways would also allow fish and turtles to move between lakes. They also installed a water gauge, which allows them to control water levels more easily and protect marsh birds. Additionally, this project was carried out in an area known for heavy industry, so this restoration is sure to improve the local air quality.

Projects like these give me hope. Here is a project carried out by many different organizations made of passionate people bound together in their goal to help local wildlife and the surrounding community. It is amazing how people can come together like this, and I commend these citizens’ efforts. It is easy to forget the ecosystem services that these restoration projects bring back, like flood protection and improved air quality, so this is a reminder of that. This relates to environmental science because the article discusses interactions between the land and species within the nature preserves of Chicago. It also discusses the environmental solutions to fragmented habitats, which I found especially innovative.

Morton, Julia. “Cocopah Indian Tribe Secures $5.5 Million for Habitat Restoration in the Colorado River Delta | Audubon.” Www.audubon.org, 15 Nov. 2023, www.audubon.org/news/cocopah-indian-tribe-secures-5-5-million-habitat-restoration-colorado-river-delta.

The Cocopah Indian Tribe received over five million dollars in funding from federal grants and philanthropy to restore more than 400 acres of the Colorado River floodplain. They will accomplish this by removing invasive vegetation and planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses. The restoration site is in southwestern Arizona in the floodplain below the Colorado River’s Morelos Dam, which has suffered from no water flow and non-native salt cedar shrubs. The restored site will relink fragmented habitats for birds like the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Tree Swallow. Additionally, this project will allow the Cocopah Indian Tribe to utilize their water rights in restoring their ancestral lands. 

This article is very inspiring. I’m happy that there are lots of people who want to restore these degraded habitats. I didn’t think that people would be so willing to pay for these sorts of improvements, but I stand corrected. My hope in humanity has been restored, just a little. It also makes me happy knowing that the Cocopah Tribe is improving their land on their terms. They deserve the resources to improve their land, and I’m glad they’re receiving them. This relates to environmental science because this project is based on principles of environmental science. In restoring the wetlands of the Colorado River, the Cocopah Indian Tribe will be responsible for bringing back the wildlife in the area too. There used to be lots of unique interactions between species in this area, and this project will hopefully bring them back. They are using environmental principles to restore this land most effectively.

Sahagún, L. (2023, May 30). Judge orders halt to Ballona wetlands restoration project. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-30/judge-orders-halt-to-ballona-wetlands-restoration-project

On May 17th, Judge James c. Chalfant ordered the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s plan to introduce tidal flows into the Ballona Creek wetlands to stop immediately. Judge Chalfant sided with opponents to the project, who argued that the states plan to send in machinery to dig out dirt on site to create levees that would protect the area from Pacific Ocean tides could actually harm the native species. If the wetlands were to be flooded by the Pacific Ocean’s rising tides, wildlife that rely on seasonal rains and brackish water could be wiped out.

This article is related to environmental science because it discusses a habitat and the animals who live there that are under threat. It touches on the challenges environmental projects often face with the courts and how restoration groups have to pivot. This was a really interesting article to me, because it highlighted a split between two camps in the conservation field. One camp was the state government, who proposed a large-scale plan that would undoubtedly sacrifice many animals as construction was underway. On the other side, you have grassroots activists who opposed the state’s plan, and urged for a more gentle approach to the delicate wetlands. It seems as though the state’s plan is for the greater good, but these activists are hung up on the lives that will probably be taken to finish the project. It makes me wonder what precautions the state can take to have the least amount of casualties possible, if that is even possible. It also makes me wonder if there are different approaches entirely to the threat of flooding Ballona Creek. Are mangroves a part of the natural landscape? And if so, could those be restored to fight flooding? I wonder if the two groups have been able to reconcile since the article was posted. This was a really captivating article, as it forced me to think about the potential drawbacks of habitat restorations and how the government handles them. 

Kahn, M. (2023, February 7). Breaking new ground in California’s Mountain Meadows. Breaking New Ground in California’s Mountain Meadows Comments. https://www.americanrivers.org/2023/02/breaking-new-ground-in-californias-mountain-meadows/

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, American Rivers is restoring 388 acres of the mountain meadows. The meadows that were once an incredibly intricate system of flood plains and channels have become disconnected from each other after years of drought. American Rivers reconnected many of the channels and floodplains by incising the stream channels within the flood plains. Their work ultimately improved groundwater storage, species habitat, wetland plant cover, the Rainbow Trout population, and the spread of pollinators.

This article is related to environmental science because it describes the importance of the floodplains and how the rest of the ecosystem- whether it be the trout or the beavers-  relied on it. It discussed the relationship between the rivers and the floodplains  and how restoration workers were approaching such a problem using scientifically tested methods. I was really fascinated with the work that American Rivers was doing. I found their method of hand rolling hay bales on site and packing them into the gullies so that it was level with the meadow floodplain really innovative. It’s cool that they were able to use the grass in the area for their project, and it makes me wonder how adaptable these sorts of projects usually are. I also found their “beaver dam analogs” (BDAs) to be really interesting. It makes me wonder if their efforts will be so successful that the beaver population will rise and there will no longer be a need for the BDA’s . Overall, I was really impressed by the article and the project it discussed. It gave me a great insight into the actual work conservation organizers conduct on the ground and what the specific benefits of each method was. Even though they have a lot of ground to cover, I was really pleased that they were already making such great progress.  

Grable, J. (2023, January 17). The “messy” creek restoration that will help bring back salmon on the Klamath River. Jefferson Public Radio. https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2023-01-14/the-messy-creek-restoration-that-will-help-bring-back-salmon-on-the-klamath-river

The Mid Klamath Watershed Council, Karuk Tribe, and US Forest Service worked together on a habitat restoration project at Horse Creek, a tributary that flows into the Klamath River. In order to slow the creek down, help retain water from the upper reaches of the forest, and thus help boost the coho salmon population, they dammed part of the river. They have also dug out many ponds, which were cold refuges for the salmon. Due to logging, construction, mining, agricultural activity and nearby hydroelectric dams, the river and the Chinook and Coho salmon who pass through have suffered greatly. 

This article is related to environmental science because it explains in great detail how the salmon indigenous to the Karuk River interact with the environment around them and how they are currently under threat. Additionally, the article describes how the restorationists working on this project employed practices that are informed by environmental science to get outcomes that would restore the habitat and the salmon populations. I was blown away by the detail given in this article. I was fascinated with the niches the salmon filled and how exactly restorationists adapted to the damage caused by humans years ago. I was really fascinated by the thoughtfulness of the Karuk Tribe and how they put so much effort into restoring the land around the Karuk River. They have spent years working on this project, and they deserve the utmost praise for it. I’m excited to see where this restoration goes, as all the people involved put a great deal of care into it. I also thought that the methods they used to restore the Klamath River were innovative. The “wood jams” were so fascinating and the log drop offs via helicopter were so cool!

Fishman, K. (2023, May 8). Navarro River, two more Mendocino coast watersheds to see Salmon Habitat Restoration • The Mendocino Voice: Mendocino County, CA. The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA. https://mendovoice.com/2023/05/navarro-river-two-more-mendocino-coast-watersheds-to-see-salmon-habitat-restoration/

The Mendocino County Conservation District (MCRCD) is spearheading an effort to reconnect the Navarro River with the rest of the floodplain (which became disconnected due to human activity). The county has already had many successful restoration projects in the area, namely at the Ten Mile and Garcia watersheds. If all goes to plan, this connection project will allow for the California Coast Coho and Chinook salmon to repopulate (thanks to all the new space), rest as they migrate, and the floodplains will be able to retain water more efficiently to prevent flooding in the future.

This article is related to environmental science because it describes how humans have threatened the Chinook and Coho salmon populations by disrupting the floodplains and rivers of Mendocino County in which they live. In a similar vein, it also describes how the county seeks to restore the complex ecosystem through an approach guided by environmental science. This article makes me really pleased. It’s a nice reminder that there are lots of people who want to undo the damage we have done to the environment, and because the area is already showing improvement I have hope that similar projects can be applied all across California. It makes me wonder what exactly the work they are doing consists of. What does the day to day work of these sorts of projects consist of? How can someone get involved? It makes me wonder how people like me may pursue habitat restoration as a career path. It also makes me wonder how often Californian counties rely on private grants like the one provided by the Nature Conservancy that allowed for this project to happen.

Antunes, J. (2023, May 30). California announces funding to protect Salmon Habitat. National Fisherman. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/california-announces-funding-to-protect-salmon-habitat

In 2023, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation Board pledged a total of $139 million to over 53 projects across California concerned with restoring salmon habitats and wetlands. These include projects like the Red Bank Habitat Project, which seeks to revegetate the banks of Red River, reintroduce biodiversity to the river side channels, create high flow backwaters and alcoves, and ultimately restore the populations of the spring Chinook and Coho salmon. Other habitat restoration projects that received funding include the First Slough Fish Passage, Floodplain Restoration, Bull Creek Hamilton Floodplain Restoration Project, and Coastal Habitat Connectivity. 

This article is related to environmental science because it discusses the threats to California’s natural environment and how many initiatives are adopting a scientific approach to restoring these endangered habitats. I thought that this article was really uplifting, and it made me proud to be living in California. It’s so nice to hear some positive news about our nature in California and I’m really happy that there are so many people trying to protect it. I was also thoroughly surprised with how much money was being poured into these restoration projects. It makes me wonder what the process for getting grants for these projects is like. Is there a really intense vetting process? Can anybody apply? It also made me wonder if there were any projects near Menlo Atherton that were supported by the grants detailed above- it would be really cool to help work hands-on at one of these projects.