Restoring Steelhead and Salmon Habitat in the Forests of California

The scientists at Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Companies are experts at seeing the forest beyond the trees. Their forest restoration efforts include waterways and fish habitats across MHRC lands.

Two significant species of fish that exist in California streams, although at diminishing population numbers, are the steelhead and the coho salmon. These fish are called anadromous fish species as they are hatched in a freshwater stream, travel to the ocean for three years, then return to the same stream as adults to reproduce and repeat the process.

These salmon species are a critical part of the forest ecosystem as they are a prey base for hawks, otters, and mammals. They are also an important part of the economy as it relates to recreational and commercial fisheries. The scientists at MHRC are actively working to restore steelhead and coho salmon habitat on their lands.