Getting to Know the Land and People of the Day Creek Community
By Lucy Applegate

Recently SFEG embarked on an outreach effort that includes a speaker and field trip series to explore and build support for stream restoration in the Day Creek watershed.  This effort kicked off in December with a tour of Sorenson Creek, led by longtime Day Creek resident and SFEG founding member Arn Thoreen.  Although we saw no fish, there were several redds, and we were fortunate enough to have WDFW biologist Bob Warinner along to help guide the tour and explain salmon biology and habitat requirements.  In January, the series continued with a presentation by local flood historian Larry Kunzler and representatives from Skagit County Public Works.  Residents heard about historical accounts of flooding and efforts to “manage” the Skagit in years past.  In our most recent program the Upper Skagit Tribe’s Scott Schuyler talked about the history of the Upper Skagit people in this area, and local historian Deanna Ammons brought historical photos and anecdotes from the pioneer days in the Day Creek area.  We plan to continue this series with field trips this summer, so if you’d like to learn more about this fascinating section of the Skagit, contact the SFEG office.

Day Creek resident Arn Thoreen and WDFW biologist Bob Warinner led volunteers on a tour of Sorenson Creek in December 2005.