2026 Spawner Survey Workshop

Are you interested in becoming a Spawner Survey Volunteer this fall & winter? 

As a kickoff for our 2026-2027 Spawner Survey Program, we are hosting a Spawner Survey Workshop to learn the protocol for identifying and documenting spawning salmon at SFEG restoration sites. This Program helps SFEG measure project success and track salmon recovery. Whether you are a returning volunteer or a seasoned pro, we would love to have your support! Please note the time commitment below. This Program requires hearty, dedicated volunteers, but the payoff is huge — time spent really getting to know a stream reach and the fish that live there. Our volunteers return year after year to “fall in love” with their streams! 

Please read through all the information below before filling out the intake form!

Training Requirements

• New Volunteers: Required to attend BOTH the virtual classroom session on October 1 from 6 PM – 8 PM and the workshop on October 3 from 9 AM – 12 PM. 
• Returning Volunteers: Required to attend the workshop portion on October 3 from 9 AM – 12 PM. 

About the Spawner Survey Program

Join our team of community scientists and help track the health of local salmon populations! Volunteers are trained by SFEG staff at an October workshop to identify and count returning adult salmon, document carcasses, and locate and mark redds (spawning nests) in local streams.

Surveys are conducted weekly from October through January. This volunteer role requires a commitment of one day per week for three months, with a typical time investment of 1–6 hours per week. You will be assigned to a specific stream reach, along with 1-2 other volunteers, and as a team, you will coordinate to find the best day/time each week to complete your surveys. 

What we ask our volunteers to do

• Commit to walking their assigned stream reaches every week with their team of other SFEG volunteers from October to January.
• Submit spawner survey data and photos in a timely manner to SFEG staff.

Can’t commit to doing this every week from October to January? No worries, we would love to add you to our ‘subs’ list for the weeks that the regular volunteers may not be able to walk their streams. Please indicate this on your intake form when the question asks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What gear is provided? 

• Thermometers, snips, gloves, notebooks, pencil/pens, flagging, mini first aid kit, and a walking pole
• Waders and life vests are available from SFEG on a first come first serve basis
  • Please note: waders of some kind are necessary for every creek

What gear do I need? 

• Volunteers need waders, rain gear, and warm clothing

How many people will I be working with?

• You will be paired up with at least one other volunteer! Some of the more challenging reaches have 3 people assigned to them. 

How do I get paired with a team and stream?

• Once you complete the intake form linked above, our program coordinator will send you a follow-up form to gather more details—things like your availability, any accessibility needs, and how far you’re willing to travel. Based on your responses, the coordinator will match you with a team and stream.

I can’t commit to doing it every week for the whole winter. What should I do? 

• No worries, we would love to add you to our ‘subs’ list for the weeks that the regular volunteers may not be able to walk their streams. Please indicate this on your intake form when the question asks. 

Why is the Spawner Survey Program important to SFEG? 

• Many of our stream reaches have been surveyed for years (some 20+!) and give us valuable information about the status of salmon in these streams. New reaches are added each year in places where we are actively completing restoration projects, and this gives us up-to-date information about salmon species and distribution. Having “eyes on the ground” weekly during spawning season also allows us to better understand stream dynamics and condition. 

We hope you will join us!