Nisqually Stream Stewards

The Nisqually Stream Stewards program has been successful at enlisting residents living within the Nisqually River watershed in the protection and restoration of local streams. This program was created by the Nisqually Indian Tribe, in cooperation with the Nisqually River Council, and focuses exclusively on streams and tributaries that feed into the Nisqually River. The tribe has created with several organizations in and around the basin. The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Pierce Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Service are just a few of the organizations the tribe has created partnerships with.

The program teaches volunteers and landowners how to assess stream health, evaluate salmon habitat potential, gather data about their local creeks, and identify places in the watershed where projects could improve the river system.

In 2003, a salmon migration blockage was opened to allow passage to Lacamas Creek, an important spawning stream for chum salmon. This project serves as a model for other programs that desire and/or requires landowner participation.

In 2001, Stewardship Partners provided a $20,000 grant that was matched by the NOAA Community Based Habitat Restoration Program. These funds helped to create this program which is sustaining itself by the commitment of dozens of volunteers and willing landowners. This program was the start of our involvement in the watershed and dovetails nicely with the Nisqually River Glacier to Sound Stewardship Corridor Project.