Celebrating 20 Years
Yes, it's so - 2010 is the 20th anniversary for the Task Force and the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (RFEG) Program that spawned its existence! Back in 1990, the Washington State Legislature, and local fishing interests that included sport, commercial and tribal fishers, and community members, banded together to establish the RFEG program to involve local communities, citizen volunteers and landowners in Washington's salmon recovery efforts.
And boy, things have changed! The State-wide RFEG program has expanded to a solid 14 local groups, all with paid staff. With a common goal of restoring salmon populations and habitat in each region, the RFEGs have created dynamic partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, tribes, local businesses and landowners. Through these collaborative efforts, the RFEGs help lead their communities in successful restoration, education, research and monitoring projects.
Every group is a separate, non-profit organization led by its own board of directors and supported by their memberships. An RFEG Advisory Board, made up of volunteer citizens appointed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, advocates for and helps coordinate the efforts of the RFEG Program. Partial funding for the program comes from a portion of State commercial and sport fishing license sales, so if you're an angler, a flyfisher, or commercial fisher, you help support our program! We also receive a small amount of federal funds to help with infrastructure costs.
Also established in 1990, the Task Force has gone from an all volunteer entity to a staff of 16. With this dramatic expansion, our organization contributes to the State's salmon recovery efforts by leveraging local and private money, promoting stewardship through volunteer involvement, working cooperatively with diverse interest groups, and building on our past successes. Last year alone, we leveraged every state and federal RFEG dollar with five additional dollars donated from volunteers, obtained through grant writing, acquired through partnerships or received from memberships and cash contributions.
And your donations count! They help us purchase needed vehicles, equipment, tools and computers, pay for staff to provide educational opportunities for local students, and ensure the sustainability of the Task Force program during these economically challenged times. This year, for the months of January and February, all donations received will go to support education activities that aren't funded by grant programs. We hope you'll support this valuable program by giving generously.
The Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to ensure the future of salmon in the Stillaguamish and Snohomish River basins and Island County watersheds, a combined land area of more than 2,400 square miles. Since its beginning in 1990, the Task Force has directed its resources and efforts to the challenge of developing community partnerships and strategies to improve and restore the recreational and commercial fisheries of the Pacific Northwest.