Native Fish Society River Steward Program

Oregon's Native Fish Conservation Policy requires the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect and restore native fish populations throughout the state. The policy was adopted in 2003 by ODFW)after seven months of deliberation that included an advisory committee representing a broad range of interests from private property rights activists, timber, ranchers, and conservation groups.

The new NFCP represents the corner stone for native fish conservation in Oregon. This policy sets the stage for conservation and protection of native fish in every Oregon watershed and with the eventual adoption of conservation management plans, there will be specific and measurable biological objectives for each native fish population in major watersheds.

At the hub of the program is volunteers stewards. Each steward will adopt an individual watershed and fight for its native fish by:

• Understanding the habitat, life history and biological characteristics of native species
• Working with state, federal and tribal authorities to develop conservation plans
• Monitoring and measuring scientific criteria to determine each fish population's status
• Seeking funding for habitat improvement projects and research
• Representing Native Fish Society at the local level in public meetings, with the news media, and before government decision makers
• Establishing a working relationship with other individuals and groups that can help respond to and solve problems affecting native fish.

Become a River Steward in your local watershed!

The Native Fish Society are seeking people that are interested in native fish conservation and are eager to learn about their local rivers and lakes. You could be the voice for wild fish when they need it most! We are currently seeking volunteer River Stewards for watersheds throughout the Pacific Northwest.

If you would like to become a Steward, contact Executive Director Bill Bakke at 503-977-0287 or River Steward Coordinator Russell Bassett at 503-829-6211.

We Care at Native Fish

The Native Fish Society is determined to make sure that the Native Fish Conservation Policy is indeed implemented by OFDW.

NFS River Steward Program. . .

Find out more information on each of the following rivers: {*} Active links
» Calapooia River
» Columbia River
» Columbia River (Lower Tributaries)
» Deschutes River (Lower)
» Deschutes River (Upper)
» Illinois River
» John Day River
» Klamath River
» McKenzie River
» Mid-Oregon Coast
» Molalla River
» Nehalem River
» Nestucca River
» North Puget Sound rivers
» Rogue River
» Salmon (Sandy) River
» Salmonberry River
» Sandy River
» Sea-run cutthroat trout (Oregon)
» Southern Washington rivers
» South Oregon Coast rivers
» Tillamook Bay rivers
» Umpqua River (North)
» Umpqua River (South)