My husband and I were hiking 300 miles away from Butte Creek in the redwoods near the Smith River in far northwestern California with a hiking group that was just getting established. Making conversation with one of our fellow hikers we mentioned we were from Chico. This hiker-300 miles from Butte Creek- knew about the extraordinary work that Friends of Butte Creek has been doing to preserve and improve the health of the creek, particularly for the native salmon. It is a small but significant organization-quite mighty and dedicated to its mission.
I have been involved as a board member for Friends of Butte Creek (FBC) for 23 years, since its inception. FBC has been the voice of the spring run Chinook salmon and Butte Creek in the creation of the Butte Creek Canyon Overlay which is now part of the Butte County General Plan that protects the environment from cluster development. FBC is involved with state and federal agencies, agricultural interests, private landowners, the Mechoopda tribe, and county officials for the ongoing restoration and protection efforts of the salmon and the creek as it passes from the mountainous upper reaches, through the canyon, and out into the floodplain of the valley before it merges with the Sacramento River. FBC was there after the Camp Fire to organize the wattle effort with volunteers to do bank stabilization. FBC has held 17 years of successful Wild & Scenic Film Festivals for successful community outreach and fundraising. FBC is currently administering grants for creek restoration. FBC has also acquired water rights to Butte Creek and is pursuing more water rights for the safe passage of the salmon. FBC has conducted environmental education programs for elementary school classrooms. FBC is a cohort with the Salmonid Restoration Federation working to enhance and restore habitat for salmon in the California north state. FBC is continuously called upon by the other community and local environmental groups in the area for coordinated efforts to meet ongoing challenges. FBC is viewed as an environmental leader in Northern California and a respected force for the environment.
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As a proud board member of Friends of Butte Creek, I have served in one capacity or another to support this important, all-volunteer, environmental organization. Recognizing the decline of the spring run salmon on the creek in the early 1990’s, the organization was formed to work with agencies, landowners, agriculturalists, and concerned individuals to bring the salmon back from the brink of extinction! Countless long meetings, community outreach, and social events brought the much needed support to bring about the actions necessary for the fishes’ survival. Agricultural dams have been removed, cooperation among landowners has been fostered, education programs for school age students have occurred, Film Festivals to foster awareness and support occur annually, and grants have been awarded for water rights acquisition and creek restoration. Through the tireless efforts of the organization’s Director, Allen Harthorn, such activities as the creek bank protection after the ravages of the Camp Fire added to the restoration efforts. Further involvement by FBC include, and are not limited to: Salmon rescue, hosting salmon nutrient research by university scientists, hosting retreats for the Salmonid Restoration Federation (as well as serving on the board), school visits on the Creek, involvement with local boards that monitor water and agricultural activities that have impacts on the Creek, serving on the local Resource Conservation District board, Groundwater Resource Basin group, the rice farmers in the Butte Sink, California Sportfishing Alliance, and other local community groups (HRCBA, CRHA, BEC, SGA) to build a broad base of support for the continued survival of this iconic species.
Without Friends of Butte Creek and it’s director, we may well have lost the last best run of spring run Chinook salmon in California. For all these efforts over many years, Friends of Butte Creek is so deserving of a Great Nonprofit status.
The friends of Butte Creek have kept the Butte Creek Salmon run alive for over 40 years. Without their dedication and commitment the Butte Creek salmon run would be like all the others in California. Unfortunately, basically endangered and almost extinct. They have struggled against all odds, agencies, floods, fires to keep this iconic species going.
Hope springs eternal. Hope needs action and friends of Butte creek has acted.