California and Klamath

Who we are: 

California has the most diverse ecology of any state, and, other than Alaska, has the most species of native trout and salmon. California boasts 31 distinct kinds of trout, salmon and steelhead – 20 of which are found only in the Golden State. It is, truly, a trout angler’s paradise.

California also has an amazing diversity of angling opportunities, from tiny meadow streams in the Sierra Nevada to hundreds of lakes and reservoirs to major rivers with world-class tailwaters to coastal streams to the many options in salt water.

Trout Unlimited has 10,000 members in California, organized into ten active chapters contributing thousands of hours of volunteerism annually. TU maintains a state council of grassroots leaders in California as well as program staff working from locations around the state.

Trout Unlimited is involved in a variety of projects and programs in California to protect cold water fisheries; restore degraded rivers, streams and other habitat; reconnect key stream segments and other habitat to provide healthy, functioning watersheds; and sustain our fishing and conservation legacy by informing and engaging the sporting community in our efforts.

The dedicated volunteers, chapters and staff of Trout Unlimited in California are working hard to conserve our trout, salmon, steelhead  and the watersheds that sustain them, and to make fishing better throughout the state.

Please check us out: https://www.facebook.com/TUCalifornia

How we work: 

Many of California’s cold water fish are in trouble, and opportunities to fish for trout and salmon in California waters are diminishing or at risk in many areas.

Leading fisheries biologists in California estimate that 65 percent of the state’s native salmonid species will be extinct within 100 years if present trends continue. A combination of inadequate stream flows, water diversions, poor water quality, increased water temperatures, barriers to fish passage, habitat degradation, past and current land use practices, invasive species, hybridization of native species with non-native species, and the impacts of climate change (including longer and more severe periods of drought) are primary factors in this equation.

TU is an "equal opportunity" conservation business.  We will work with anyone to help protect intact habitat, restore degraded habitat, provide sufficient streamflows for fish, ensure good water quality and supply for both human and ecological purposes, and to make fish for trout and salmon better. To this end, we work cooperatively with other sportsmen's groups and conservation organizations; federal, state and local resource agencies; timber companies, row and dryland crop farmers, grape growers, wine producers, livestock ranchers, and other businesses and landowners. We focus on pragmatic, collaborative approaches to resolving the complex challenges associated with cold water fish conservation that deliver real on-the-ground improvements quickly.

In California, TU's goals are to protect rivers, streams and watersheds that remain fairly wild and intact; to restore and enhance habitat in rivers, streams and watersheds; to reconnect entire watersheds by removing barriers so salmon and steelhead can reach their historic spawning grounds and by providing adequate streamflows for fish passage; and, to develop and implement innovative tools, strategies and partnerships that both keep enough water in our streams for fish and deliver sufficient water for human needs throughout the state.

To help others learn about and get involved in fishing and cold water conservation, volunteers and staff also organize and sponsor events such as steelhead and salmon festivals; flyfishing and fly tying clinics; events and clinics for youth; Trout in the Classroom programs; and guided fishing outings for military service veterans. 

For those who want hands-on conservation experience, our chapters in California organize dozens of events every year to clean up rivers and restore habitat, for example by planting vegetation to stabilize streambanks and by placing woody debris in streams to provide shade, cover and resting habitat for fish. Our grassroots also help collect data and monitor streams to contribute scientific data to help recover, manage and sustain our trout and salmon fisheries.

Staff Contact: 

Trout Unlimited - California Headquarters
4221 Hollis Street
Emeryville, CA  94608

Brian Johnson
California State Director and Senior Attorney
(510) 528-4772
bjohnson@tu.org

Sam Davidson
California and Klamath Communications Director
(831) 235-2542 (w)
sdavidson@tu.org

SCIENCE

Rene Henery
California Science Director
(415) 640-0927 (c)
rhenery@tu.org

Natalie Stauffer-Olsen
California Staff Scientist
(707) 696-9839 (c)
nstauffer-olsen@tu.org

WATER

Mary Ann King
Director, Coastal Streamflows Restoration Project
(510) 649-9987 (w)
mking@tu.org

Chandra Ferrari
Director, California and Oregon Water Policy
(916) 214-9731 (w)
cferrari@tu.org

Matt Clifford
California Water Attorney
(510) 280-5392 (w)
mclifford@tu.org

Jennelle Root Martell
Conservation Grants Assistant
(510) 808-7531
jmartell@tu.org

Linda Tandle
Project Coordinator, Russian River Coho Water Resources Partnership
(510) 808-7530
ltandle@tu.org

Mia van Docto
Conservation Hydrologist
(510) 722-8780 (w)
(510) 334-3304 (c)
mvandocto@tu.org

Shay Richardson
Associate Conservation Scientist
(510) 695-2247 (w)
(916) 634-8826 (c)
srichardson@tu.org

HABITAT RESTORATION

Lisa Bolton
Director, North Coast Coho Project
(707) 962-0115
lbolton@tu.org
North Coast Field Office
P.O. Box 1966
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Anna Halligan
Coordinator, North Coast Coho Project
(707) 962-0115
ahalligan@tu.org

Tim Frahm
Central Coast Steelhead Coordinator
(831)-298-7185 (w)
(650) 759-4416 (c)
tfrahm@tu.org

PUBLIC LANDS and SIERRA-CASCADE MOUNTAINS HABITAT

Dave Lass
California Field Director
(530) 388-8261
dlass@tu.org
Northern Sierra Field Office
10356 Donner Pass Road, Suite 3
Truckee, CA 96161

Jessica Strickland
Fisheries Biologist and California Field Coordinator
(830) 515-9917
jstrickland@tu.org

Sam Sedillo
Sierra-Cascades Field Coordinator
(408) 718-9897
ssedillo@tu.org

KLAMATH BASIN STREAMFLOW AND HABITAT RESTORATION

Chrysten Lambert
Oregon Water Project Director
(541) 944-3459
clambert@tu.org

Nell Scott
Klamath Restoration Director
(541) 973-0079
NScott@tu.org

Tony LaGreca
Klamath Restoration Project Coordinator
(541) 273-2189
TLagreca@tu.org

Charlie Erdman
Klamath Restoration Project Coordinator
(802) 578-6285
cerdman@tu.org

 

Author of this Page: 

Sam Davidson
California and Klamath Communications Director, Trout Unlimited

Risks to Fishing: 
Reduced Stream Flows
Issues: 
Agriculture
Climate Change
Dams
Forestry
Invasive Species
Mining
Roads + Development