Programs
Accomplisments
Launched the Sakhalin Salmon Initiative, a public-private partnership which brought together businesses, local communities, and nongovernmental organizations to develop a long-term strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon and their ecosystems on Sakhalin Island. The Sakhalin Salmon Initiative was launched at an international conference hosted by the Wild Salmon Center, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company and the Sakhalin Regional Administration in October, 2006. The event was a huge success, drawing more than 200 people from Sakhalin, Russia, Canada, Japan and the United States. The Wild Salmon Center joined with the Sakhalin Oblast Administration and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company to sign a declaration supporting international cooperation on salmon conservation and sustainable development.
Completed two full expeditions down the Samarga River, one of the last unfragmented watersheds that flow into the Sea of Japan. Although the 2 million-acre Samarga basin is slated for logging, the Wild Salmon Center won an agreement to identify and map the most important habitat areas for wild salmon and aquatic biodiversity. Together with our conservation partners, we presented a joint recommendation to the regional logging company, Terneyles. This work will also help Terneyles win Forest Stewardship Council certification of its logging practices in the Samarga.
Formalized a partnership with the USDA Forest Service to collaborate on international projects in the Russian Far East. These projects include restoration of Sakhalin Island rivers, conservation planning for the Samarga River, and protected area management training for conservation officials in Kamchatka.
Launched the Siuslaw - Sakhalin Restoration Partnership, an effort to develop a pilot river restoration project on Sakhalin. The partnership has facilitated exchanges between Sakhalin and Oregon community leaders and specialists to conduct watershed assessments and learn about restoration approaches.
Provided key support to create a national park on the Shantar Islands, in the western Sea of Okhotsk. The Shantars are home to the only population of rainbow trout in Asia west of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Helped partners on Sakhalin Island in their efforts to re-establish the 166,000 acre Vostochnii Refuge, which will protect two entire ocean-draining river basins - the Vengeri and Pursh-Pursh rivers - and some of the last intact forest ecosystems on Sakhalin Island. The refuge is expected to be designated in 2007.