Episode 12. Marisa Litz – WDFW Coast Ecology Leader

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Rena Priest. Rena Priest is an enrolled member of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) Nation. She served two years as Washington State's 6th Poet Laureate (2021-2023). Her work has been recognized with awards and fellowships from the Allied Arts Foundation, Academy of American Poets, Indigenous Nations Poets, University of Washington Libraries, and Nia Tero. She is the author of three books and editor of two anthologies, including I Sing the Salmon Home: Poems from Washington State. Learn more at nwfishpassage.com and renapriest.com. Enjoy!  

In this episode, April McEwen, River Restoration Project Manager at American Rivers, talks about a variety of dam removal projects she is involved in. She discusses projects she has done since our last podcast about the Middle Fork Nooksack Fish Passage in 2020 (Episode 7).  She talks in detail about the Barrel Springs and Kellogg Creek dam removal projects. April talks about the importance of partnerships and collaboration in both of these projects. Barrel Springs was completed last summer in Skagit County, Washington. This project involved removing a 12-foot-tall dam and providing access to a natural cold-water springs. The Kellogg Creek Restoration and Community Enhancement Project will include removing a dam that blocks 14 acres of habitat in Milwaukee, Oregon. NOAA has awarded 15 million federal infrastructure grant to the Kellogg Project for stream health, salmon, transportation, and access to nature. For more websites referred to in this episode please visit: nwfishpassage.com. Enjoy!    

In this episode, Annika interviews Emily Howe, an aquatic and estuarine ecologist at The Nature Conservancy of Washington.   She holds a Ph.D. from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, with a focus on estuarine restoration and food web ecology in tidally-influenced ecosystems.  Emily’s work integrates across ecosystem boundaries, investigating how landscape configuration and management shapes cross-boundary relationships for food webs, organisms, and ecosystem processes.  She is currently working at the nexus of forest management impacts on snow, stormwater pollution and green infrastructure, and freshwater and marine restoration ecology- all with an eye towards the impacts of climate change.   Enjoy!  

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Darrell Gray. Since 1995, Darrell has been a project manager at Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA). The NSEA team enhances river, creek, and riparian habitat while educating people of all ages to provide Pacific salmon and Steelhead the best chance at survival. Since 2005, Darrell has facilitated the removal of 132 culverts that were partial or full barriers to fish passage and opened up over 160 miles of upstream habitat. He is excited about upcoming projects that will open up many more miles of upstream habitat. He encourages people to follow your passion and be persistent.  Enjoy!    

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Debra Lekanoff, a Washington State Representative. Debra represents the 40th legislative district and is currently the only Native American woman that serves in the Legislature. She is part Tlingit, salmon people, and part Aleut, seal people, from Southeast Alaska, and has lived in the Skagit Valley for over 20 years. She has over 20 years of government experience and has brought people together to collaborate on many issues. Debra talks about what salmon and the natural environment mean to her. She presents critical ideas about conservation and creating a common baseline for restoration. Debra provides advice on how scientists and engineers can interact more effectively with the public. Also, she talks about legislation that will benefit generations to come. Enjoy!  

In this episode, Annika interviews Savannah Smith and Ebony Welborn, marine scientists and founders of Sea Potential. Sea Potential is a program that connects BIPOC youth to marine environments and maritime industry. Savannah and Ebony talk about what motivated them to study marine science, join EarthCorps, and start SEA Potential. They provide insight about some ideas about what businesses can do to make workplaces more inclusive. Also, they talk about their vision for the upcoming years and programs they are developing to work with youth. Enjoy!  

In this episode, Annika interviews Courtney Baxter, Program and Communications Specialist for The Nature Conservancy. For over three years she has been a strategic communicator for Floodplains by Design.  Floodplains by Design is a public-private partnership designed to re-think how we manage our river floodplains, and better prepare for flooding exacerbated by a changing climate. She talks about many exciting programs she is involved in and the need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in conservation organizations. Also, she provides advice for people who may be interested in a career in Conservation Communication. Enjoy!  

In this episode, Annika interviews three people involved in the Coldwater Connection Campaign. Mara Zimmerman, Executive Director for Coast Salmon Partnership and Foundation; Luke Kelly, Washington Coast Restoration Project Manager at Trout Unlimited, and Jess Helsley, Wild Salmon Center Washington Program Director. These three are working together to prioritize the removal of barriers on the western Olympic Peninsula and reconnect blocked habitat over the next 10 years. They talk about their role in the Cold Water Connection Campaign, as well as the importance of monitoring, working together, and how everyone can get involved. For Web Resources mentioned in this episode visit: nwfishpassage.com. Enjoy the episode!  

In this episode, Austin Rose and Eleanor Hines from Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) talk about the goals and projects of the MRC. Austin Rose is the MRC Staff and Planner at Whatcom County Public Works. Eleanor Hines is the MRC Chair and North Sound Baykeeper, Lead Scientist at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. They discuss challenges and successes related to the many MRC projects including Forage Fish Surveys, Bull Kelp Monitoring, Water Quality Monitoring, and Pilot Olympia Oyster Restoration. Also, Austin and Eleanor present ideas about how to get involved and increase diversity in the environmental field. Enjoy the episode!  

In this episode, Dr. Marisa Litz, lead of the Coast Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring Unit focused on Pacific Salmon and Steelhead at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). She shares her academic journey from a B.S. in Anthropology to a M.S. and PhD. in Fisheries. Her graduate studies were supported by the NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). Dr. Litz provides inspiration to many people and is a great advocate for more diversity in science. During the past year, she has continued to mentor, inspire, and is very involved in Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS). Links to these organizations are available at nwfishpassage.com/podcast. Enjoy the episode!