Pacific Salmonid Spawning Habitat Restoration

The Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:

Pacific Salmonid Spawning Habitat Restoration
Course ID: BIO-304 (2 days)
November 11 - 12, 2009 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
UC Davis Extension, Sutter Square Galleria, Room 201
2901 K Street Sacramento, CA 95816

Instructor: Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D. Principal Scientist, Cramer Fish Sciences

Registration | Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog | Course Brochure (PDF)

Designed for practitioners and agency personnel involved with field data collection, detailed design and/or review of river restoration projects, this course provides general training in design, implementation and monitoring of in-stream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers, with an emphasis on the issues surrounding Pacific salmonid spawning.

You will learn techniques for assessing existing habitat and collecting and analyzing field data. Discover how to integrate physical, biological and aesthetic objectives into habitat improvement design; characterize and estimate sediment transport and budgets for enhancement sites; and to design effective monitoring programs. Material selection, contracting procedures, and data and project presentation will be covered. Examples of techniques will be provided from both successful and failed restoration projects. You will also visit an ongoing enhancement project where techniques will be demonstrated. All students receive a comprehensive habitat restoration manual.

The course will provide general training in:

1. Design, implementation, and monitoring of instream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers. Emphasis will be on improvements associated with salmonid spawning habitat. It will explain and demonstrate common techniques for

2. Assessing existing habitat and collecting and analyzing field data;

3. Integrating physical, biological and aesthetic objectives into habitat improvement design;

4. Characterizing and estimating sediment transport and sediment budgets for enhancement sites;

5. Designing effective monitoring programs;

6. Choosing appropriate fish habitat improvement designs;

7. Understanding enhancement limitations. It will also cover equipment and material selection, contracting procedures, and data and project presentation. As part of the course, participants will visit an ongoing enhancement project where several field techniques will be demonstrated.

Intended Audience: Designed for practitioners and agency personnel involved with field data collection, detailed design and/or review of river restoration projects, this course provides general training in design, implementation and monitoring of in-stream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers, with an emphasis on the issues surrounding Pacific salmonid spawning.

This course is preceded by: "The Ecology of Pacific Salmonids" by Joe E. Merz November 9-10, 2009; and followed by Introduction to Fish Passage November 13, 2009. There is an additional discount that applies when registering for both courses.

Prerequisites: Suggested - "The Ecology of Pacific Salmonids"

About the Instructor: Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D., is a registered scientist with the American Fisheries Society. He has over 18 years experience working with aquatic resources and has been the principal scientist on several salmonid habitat restoration programs in the California Central Valley. He has taught environmental science, salmon biology and restoration courses for the past eight years.

Course Materials: Attendees will receive a binder containing workshop proceedings and reference material.

Continuing Education Units: 1.3

What to Bring:
Classroom Day: Pen or pencil, notepad, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Coffee, tea, breakfast pasties, drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch on your own.
Field Day: Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Waist hip waders are strongly suggested to participate fully in the field portion of this class. On the field day only lunch will be provided for each student as we will not have time to go find lunch on our own.

Registration: $495 (*$395 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). An additional $150 Discount applies when registering for all three classes - BIO-303, BIO-304, and BIO-305. You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. You may register via the registration link or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.