Annual Celebration a Success
By Alison Studley

The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group’s Annual Membership Meeting and Celebration was held on February 2, 2006 at Skagit County Fairgrounds.  We were very pleased to have so many members, volunteers and project partners come and celebrate our past year’s successes with us.  We invited Dr. Peter Kiffney of NOAA Fisheries who gave us a very informative talk about the biological diversity of river confluences in the Skagit watershed.  His research was conducted through the Earthwatch Institute and engaged volunteers from around the United States in collecting data.    

Annual Meeting
Over 100 people attended this year's Annual Meeting.*

Our board members cooked up a wonderful salmon feast for us once again and The Outback Steakhouse generously donated side dishes and dessert to our event.  To round our plates out, Gail Hopley volunteered to prepare a delicious hot vegetable dish.  Members of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis volunteered their time to assist with food preparation and serving for the event.  The Skagit River Brewing Company donated several kinds of brew for everyone’s enjoyment and Fidalgo Bay Roasting Company donated their delicious coffee.  ReSources of Bellingham donated the use of plates and silverware in order to help make our event “waste free”.  Local fishermen Ken Urstad and Doug Hanson donated King salmon caught off the coast of Vancouver Island, while Lone Tree Point Seafood and Rich and Feryll Blanc also provided salmon. 

We are very thankful for the artists, businesses and individuals who donated to our Silent Auction.  Our Silent Auction helps to raise funds for our education programs that engage local kids in learning about salmon habitat through hands-on activities.  Please thank these businesses and individuals for their generosity by giving them your business in 2006. 

Alison Studley & Dick Knight
SFEG Executive Director Alison Studley and former Board President Dick Knight enjoy the fabulous buffet dinner provided by local fishermen and Outback Steakhouse.*

SFEG would not exist without the hard work of all our volunteers.  At our celebration, volunteers were recognized for their efforts.  While most of our volunteers spend time outdoors getting muddy, it also takes a number of volunteers working inside to ensure our event is successful.  We are very appreciative to the many volunteers who helped make this event possible by securing donations, decorating the fairgrounds, cooking and serving food and beverages and of course cleaning up.  We are especially grateful to Gail Hopley for coordinating our Silent Auction and making it a success again, and to Frank C. Murdzia who photographed and video taped our event. 

Thanks for celebrating our 2005 accomplishments with us!  We couldn’t do it without you.
2005 Accomplishments

Riparian Planting:                                       6,000 feet, 25 acres
Riparian Maintenance:                              102 acres
Instream Habitat Improvements:        7,980 feet, 1.5 miles
Habitat Opened:                                            2.25 miles
Nutrient Enhancement:                             9,976 carcasses
Volunteer Involvement:                           8,649 hours donated, valued at $132,119
Community Education:                              2,500 individuals

 

A big “Thank You” to the following Annual Meeting Donors

Silent Auction:
Thais Armstrong
Dan Ballard
Danny Beatty
Lyn Bishop
Blau Oyster Company
Children’s Museum of Skagit County
Christianson Nursery
Eagle Haven Winery
Polly Fischer
Marguerite Goff
Gretchen’s Roxanne Grinstad
Holiday Sports Center
Island Adventures
Island Outfitters
Ivar’s and Kidd Valley Restaurants
Dick Knight
Lincoln Theatre
Lee Mann
Max Dales Restaurant
Libby Mills
National Wildlife Federation
Ed Newbold
North Cascades Institute
Oliver Hammer Clothes Shop
Fred Partington
Porterhouse Restaurant
Rainy Daze Bath and Body Products
Rosabella’s
Maggie Rose
Scott’s Bookstore
SeaBear Smokehouse

Seabolt’s Smoked Salmon
Seattle City Light
Skagit Conservation District
Skagit Land Trust
Skagit River Ranch
Steel Perceptions
Taylor Shellfish Farms
Thompson’s Greenhouse
Village Pizza
Work Outfitters

Food and Beverages
Rich and Feryll Blanc
Fidalgo Bay Coffee
Doug Hanson
Lone Tree Point Seafood
Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club
Outback Steakhouse
ReSources
Skagit River Brewing Company
Ken Urstad

Program
Dr. Peter Kiffney
Gail Hopley
Frank C. Murdzia

Many, many volunteers who helped set up, clean up, and everything in between.  Thank you so much!


* photos are by Frank C. Murdzia