About The Coalition
Goal:
The Coalition’s goal is to increase the pace, scale, and scope of watershed restoration projects leading to resilient Southern steelhead populations in high priority rivers of Southern California (with a focus on Santa Clara and Santa Ynez watersheds).
The Southern Steelhead Coalition is based in Ventura and focuses on the Santa Clara River & Santa Ynez watersheds.
Implementation is achieved through extensive partnerships with federal and state agencies, local governmental organizations, Tribal nations, environmental and other non-profit groups, and the general public. Projects are pursued according to each Coalition's local strategic plan and focus on the highest priority recovery rivers identified in the NMFS recovery plan. The Coalitions strive to implement the federal recovery plan by prioritizing, coordinating, and integrating local, regional, and state conservation efforts. The Coalitions' work is only possible with an extensive network of partnerships with varied conservation goals to implement this effort. This is the foundation for a pragmatic and economically feasible approach to accomplish conservation goals.
The conservation goal is to re-establish Southern California steelhead populations in high priority rivers through fish passage barrier removal, non-native species removal, habitat improvement, wild native trout preservation, and community engagement. We employ comprehensive process-based restoration practices that build upon this species' incredible ecological resilience.
Coalition projects that are balancing the needs of wild fish in urban landscapes include: • Rose Valley Creek Restoration Project in Sespe Creek - a tributary to the Santa Clara River; • invasive vegetation removal in the Santa Clara River flood plain near Ventura; • and Southern steelhead and native rainbow trout protection in upper Santa Margarita River, WF San Luis Rey, and upper tributaries to the Santa Clara and Ventura rivers.
For more information on the Coalitions’ fish passage and non-native species, management see South Coast projects under Reconnect Habitat and Protect the Best initiatives. Here is a link to a current project restoring the Santa Clara River.
For more information about the Southern Steelhead Coalition check out our information flyer (Click Here) and explore our website!
Check out our socials to stay up to date on all of our activities.
