 | Where did November go!? Thanksgiving flew by so fast and now the New Year is knocking on our doors. With 2021 coming to a close, it is easy to reflect on the triumphs and challenges we have all faced together over the last eleven months. I am looking forward to what Steelheaders can accomplish in 2022 and am confident that with your help, we can build a better future for anglers in the Pacific Northwest. I would like to take this time to formally announce that I will be stepping down as Executive Director on Dec. 3rd, 2021. It has been a pleasure, and a privilege to serve this great organization for the past 2 1/2 years. I have no doubt that whoever takes up the torch after me will continue with the momentum we have built together. Lastly, thank you to all who have made my time here memorable, I couldn't have done it without your support. Forward, we go together. 
Chris Hager, Executive Director |
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| |  | Thank You So Much for Supporting Angling Opportunities This year's virtual fundraiser was a huge success! Thank you all who participated and those of you who chose to help by donating. We couldn't have done it without the support from you all, the angling community, and our amazing sponsors who made this auction possible. We're incredibly excited to see all of the progress we can make in the coming years to protect salmon and their habitat in order to create more angling opportunities and ensure full-length fishing seasons. Your dedication to our cause means so much to us, especially during these difficult and uncertain times. Thank you all again for your continued support, our work is not possible without you. |
| |  | Fish Eggs to Fry delivery day volunteers. Photo by ODFW Staff. |
| Fish Eggs to Fry: Egg Delivery Was Successful This year's Fish Eggs to Fry egg drop off was a hit with students throughout the Portland metro area. With the help of Northwest Steelheaders volunteers, more than 14,000 eggs were distributed to help children learn the importance of salmon and inspire the next generation of conservation-minded individuals. Read our recent blog post all about the experience of our Education and Outreach Coordinator and the excitement of the students on their first day. See a sneak peek below and head over to our website to read the full piece. "So you’re the Egg Lady”, was the greeting I received as I entered Corbett Elementary School on a bright but cold November afternoon. I had called ahead to inform the classroom that I would be arriving shortly with their salmon eggs. As I walked down the hall with first-grade teacher Yianna Belesiotis, she told me how excited the whole school was for the fish to arrive. “Ok turkeys, who wants to see some salmon eggs?”, said teacher Yianna Belesiotis to her students. |
| | |  | | Although the Northwest has spent three decades and billions of taxpayer dollars on salmon recovery, our runs are in no better shape than they were before. With more than one billion more dollars designated for salmon restoration, it's time to spend with purpose. A solution grounded in the best science is necessary if we expect to revive our low salmon returns throughout the region. Businesses and communities dependent on healthy salmon runs are struggling. We need our legislators to create a plan that supports our communities, keeps stakeholders whole and follows the leadership of tribes. It's time to get serious about working together to restore salmon runs. We've waited 30 years for the status quo to start showing signs of success, we can't wait any longer. Please click the button below to urge your local legislators to lead us to an actionable solution for Northwest salmon and river-dependent communities. |
| | |  | Help Us Protect the Tillamook State Forest The Oregon Department of Forestry is developing the management plan for our North Coast forests over the next 70 years. Our state forests are home to old-growth trees vital for wildfire prevention and providing clean drinking water for coastal residents. The plan must include strong protections for old-growth trees, rivers and streams, and endangered salmon runs to protect the integrity of the ecosystem and the growing outdoor economy. Home to some of our last salmon strongholds, the health of our North Coast forests directly impacts the livelihoods of salmon and river-dependent communities and the state's recreation economy. If you have a small business and support long-term conservation-minded protection and restoration, consider signing on to our business support letter urging decision-makers to commit to broad protections for the Tillamook forests. Not a business owner, but want to show your support? Become a North Coast Defender at the link below! |
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| | Zoom Chapter Meetings A few chapters have resumed Monthly Chapter Meetings via Zoom, and we hope to get everyone online as soon as possible! To get the Zoom link to access a meeting, please visit our Events Calendar. If you're having trouble setting up Zoom but would like to join a meeting, please reach out to us at office@anws.org and we'll help you out. As always, Chapter Meetings are free and open to the public. If you're new to Northwest Steelheaders, attending a meeting is a great first step to getting more involved with your local fishing community. Upcoming Meetings - Mid-Valley Chapter - Wednesday, Dec. 1 @ 7 pm
- Columbia River Chapter - Wednesday, Dec. 8 @ 6:30 pm
- Tualatin Chapter - Thursday, Dec. 9 @ 7 pm.
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| | | When you visit https://smile.amazon.com/ and designate "Association of Northwest Steelheaders Inc" under the search bar before you make a purchase, Amazon will donate 0.5% to our organization. While this seems like just a small drop in the pond, it really adds up and is easy to set up. |
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| | | Follow us if you don't already! |
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| | | Association of Northwest Steelheaders P.O. Box 55400, Portland, OR 97238 (503) 653-4176 office@anws.org |
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