Salmon Protection And Watershed Network - SPAWN

05/28/2026

Here's a great chance to get your hands dirty restoring Point Reyes National Seashore!

05/13/2026

Next month, our Salmonoid Monitoring Intern, Sierra, and dedicated volunteer, John, will be presenting on spawning / smolt seasons this year, the salmon lifecycle and all things Central CA Coast Coho Salmon for TIRN members!

1️⃣ What are your salmon and habitat restoration questions?
2️⃣ Drop your questions in the comments below or DM us!

To become a TIRN member and gain access to exclusive content like live webinars, visit www.seaturtles.org/membership 💙

04/30/2026

For thousands of years, salmon and sea lions have coexisted in the Columbia River Basin. But today, salmon populations are in steep decline - and sea lions are being blamed.

Here’s the context… over half of the salmon’s natural habitat has been blocked or altered by dams, rivers have warmed, and ecosystems have been reshaped by decades of human intervention. These changes have also made it easier for predators like sea lions to feed in concentrated areas, creating the illusion that they’re the main problem.

"The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network has noted that sea lions have coexisted with salmon for thousands of years. What has changed since then isn’t predation or an increase in their appetite, but the conditions of the river itself."

Sea lions aren’t the villains - we are 🐟 Blaming predators ignores the deeper issue: habitat destruction, hydropower systems, and broken governance. You can’t “fix” an ecosystem by targeting one species while ignoring the damage we’ve caused.

Real solutions mean listening to Indigenous leadership, restoring habitats, and rethinking how we manage our rivers - because this crisis didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be solved with a quick fix.

www.dailyuw.com/article/sea-lions-aren-t-killing-washington-s-salmon-we-are-20260420

Photo credit: LE Baskow

04/30/2026

On Friday, May 1st, Turtle Island Restoration Network will pause our regular operations in solidarity with the growing call for a general strike and collective action for justice, dignity, and a livable future. Learn about nationwide day of collective action here and how you can join us! https://maydaystrong.org/

May Day has long represented the struggle for workers’ rights, democratic participation, and human dignity. Born from the labor movement’s fight for the eight-hour workday and carried forward by generations of organizers around the world, May 1 remains a reminder that lasting progress comes when ordinary people act collectively in defense of their communities, their livelihoods, and the future.

For nearly four decades, Turtle Island Restoration Network has worked to challenge the systems that place profit ahead of the planet. The environmental movement is profoundly connected to the struggle for economic justice, workers’ rights, public health, and human rights.

TIRN has long recognized this connection. During the 1999 Battle in Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization, we stood alongside labor, Indigenous leaders, environmental advocates, family farmers, and human rights organizers to challenge trade policies that accelerated environmental destruction and undermined democratic accountability. That moment helped demonstrate that environmental protection and social justice are inseparable.

The same systems that exploit oceans, forests, rivers, and wildlife often exploit workers and frontline communities. We see this every day in industrial fishing practices, fossil fuel extraction, and pollution in frontline communities. Environmental justice requires social justice.

By observing this day of solidarity, we are recognizing that meaningful environmental protection depends on people having the power, security, and freedom to advocate for themselves, their communities, and future generations. There is no such thing as a green dictator.

04/29/2026

04/26/2026

Our usual SPAWN Nursery Volunteer Day (Friday's at 1-4pm) is cancelled this week in observance of May Day Strong, to learn more and join our TIRN team at www.maydaystrong.org!

"On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping."

04/21/2026

Thank you for using your voices to speak out against H.R.1897, the so-called ESA Amendments Act of 2025. The bill did not get a vote on the House floor last week, but now it's back and planned to see a vote on Earth Day tomorrow, and the hypocrisy is impossible to ignore.

H.R.1897 would not only gut critical wildlife protections, but also open the door for industries to bypass vital consultations implemented to ensure that their activities would not harm a species' existence. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of our nation's strongest and most effective environmental laws. Several iconic species have been saved as a result of the ESA, including humpback whales, bald eagles and grizzly bears.

At a time when human-induced and environmental threats pose a significant threat to the survival of so many species, we should not be aiming to weaken the very laws that exist to protect them. Instead, we should be strengthening protections for these species.

Take action today to urge your Representative to vote NO on H.R. 1897 at https://seaturtles.org/speak-out-against-esa-amendments-act-of-2025/

04/17/2026

You don’t have to cross oceans to find environmental leadership, you might find it next door. We're excited to attend and be amongst phenomenal company at this year's 2026 - winners will be announced on Monday, April 20th - leaders who remind us that global movements begin in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities.

Watch the ceremony live on the YouTube channel. Monday, April 20, at 5:30 pm PDT / 8:30 pm EDT - learn more: goldmanprize.org/ceremony ✨

04/17/2026

A good news update from last week’s action alert to protect endangered species - the vote on H.R. 1897 - the so-called ESA Amendments Act of 2025 - has been delayed thanks to swift public advocacy!

But the fight isn’t over… On December 17, 2025, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the bill, setting it up for a full House vote at any time in 2026. It was expected to reach the floor during this week, and while that vote was postponed, it believed to be revisited soon.

This harmful bill would gut critical wildlife protections and allow industries to bypass key safeguards meant to prevent harm to vulnerable species.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of our nation’s most effective environmental laws, helping save iconic species like humpback whales, bald eagles, and grizzly bears.

At a time when biodiversity is under increasing threat, we should be strengthening these protections—not weakening them.

Take action at https://seaturtles.org/speak-out-against-esa-amendments-act-of-2025/ 💙

04/14/2026

Today is , and what better way to celebrate than share our day at the SPAWN Nursery with fifty 5th grade students from Mark Day School! Pictured here is a student with a Redwood plant.

One of our Communications Interns, Stella Little, highlights the day in a blog - "In times such as ours, a little bit of dirt, curiosity, and connection can go a long way in making one feel more whole again. Hopefully, this year will include many more exchanges with bright-eyed 5th graders, and continued opportunities for them to venture into the outdoor classroom!" 🪴