Grad students from Chico State have been working alongside nonprofit and federal organizations to reestablish and analyze the success of habitats for juvenile salmon in the tributaries of the Sacramento River. Salmon play a crucial role in the Sacramento River’s ecosystem by being one of its top predator fish.
The Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Feb. 4 partnered with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife to release more than 300,000 juvenile Chinook salmon into the Sacramento River, and more than 53,000 juvenile winter Chinook salmon into Upper Battle Creek.
Susan Strachan from Chico State’s Geographical Information Center manages the restoration project. Amanda Banet, assistant professor in the biological science department, has a team of graduate students in-charge of collecting data and tracking overall progress.