The North Olympic Salmon Coalition has been awarded a grant of $18,450 from the Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund to increase operations in Clallam County.
The 24-year-old nonprofit organization, with headquarters in Port Hadlock and a field office in Port Angeles, focuses on salmon habitat restoration along the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Salmon Coalition is one of 14 such Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in the state, covering a territory from Hood Canal to Neah Bay.
“As a small organization with our headquarters in East Jefferson County, we have had a hard time reaching the Western portion of our region,” said Andy McGregor, president of the salmon coalition board of directors.
“A few years ago, we made it a priority to increase our presence in Clallam County, and we have made significant strides.”
McGregor cited major habitat improvement projects in the Dungeness River watershed, such as an estuary restoration of the 3 Crabs site in Dungeness and a project underway with the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe to remove invasive species and plant native trees on 75 acres along the river.
“This new funding will allow us to bring our education and volunteer programs to Clallam County, connecting community members with these amazing restoration projects,” Reed Aubin, education and volunteer program manager with the salmon coalition, said.
“This represents the support we need in order to build on the great partnerships we have in the western part of our territory.”
The Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund was established in 2006 by the estate of Joy Phillips to honor her late husband.
The goal of the fund is to make grants to nonprofit organizations improving the lives of Clallam County residents.
Approximately $250,000 is distributed annually, with grants ranging in size from $1,000 to $25,000.
“This funding will allow us to incorporate educational programs and volunteer opportunities into our largest season of tree-planting of our history,” said Sarah Doyle, salmon coalition stewardship coordinator.
“We plan to plant 30,000 trees along the streams of the North Peninsula, and we want to provide the best possible experiences for our volunteer workers,” she said.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.nosc.org or phone 360-379-8051.