The article discusses the importance of salmon habitat restoration in the Pacific Northwest, specifically through the Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat. This organization directs funding from the state’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board to projects that enhance salmon habitats in the Chehalis River and Grays Harbor area.
Kirsten Joy Harma, the watershed coordinator, emphasizes that restoration projects not only improve habitats for salmon but also create local jobs and address community needs, such as replacing problematic culverts. Applicants—including municipalities, nonprofits, and landowners—can apply for grants starting at $5,000, with a total funding pool of about $1 million.
Examples of funded projects include planting native vegetation, rebuilding culverts, and removing invasive species. Community involvement, like volunteers helping replant after culvert replacements, is highlighted. The Chehalis Basin Collaborative educates the public about the significance of these projects, ensuring continued support for salmon conservation efforts. Interested applicants must contact the watershed coordinator and submit a project form by February 10, 2026.
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