Public Invited to Celebrate Salmon, Community at CDFW’s Big Springs Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Trout (CalTrout), joined by several community and conservation partners, invite the public to join in celebrating the fall return of Chinook salmon to the Shasta River in the Klamath Basin. 

 CDFW’s Big Springs Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County will host the free community event Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

“We’re excited to highlight the return of Chinook salmon to the Klamath Basin as well as the strong conservation and community partnerships that will help safeguard this iconic species into the future,” said Michael Harris, Environmental Program Manager of CDFW’s Klamath Watershed Program. 

“This event is about connecting people to the river and the incredible wildlife that depend on it,” said Ada Fowler, Senior Project Manager at CalTrout. “By bringing the community together to experience salmon spawning firsthand, we’re celebrating both the resilience of these fish and the importance of protecting and restoring our shared natural heritage.” 

Partnering with CDFW and CalTrout on the day’s family-friendly and educational activities are the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation, the Siskiyou Science Festival, the Scott River Watershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center and the Salmon and Steelhead Coalition (Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and CalTrout).

Attendees can look forward to:  

• Guided Chinook salmon viewing along the Shasta River during their spawning season.  
• Educational presentations on the geology of the Shasta Valley and its importance to salmon
• Family-friendly activities such as nature journaling hosted by community partners
• Opportunities to learn about the ecological significance of salmon in the Klamath Basin

 Families, neighbors and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. For questions about the event, including requests for reasonable accommodation, please reach out to CDFW staff.    

Event Details:  

• When: Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area, 4415 E Louie Rd, Montague, CA 96064 
• Admission: Free 

 For more information and directions, visit the CalTrout website.

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