Welcome to our Spring 2016 e-Newsletter!
New faces in NRS
We are pleased to welcome two new members to our staff this spring!
 Amy Eberwein is a 2016 Humboldt State University graduate where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration and Rangeland Resource Science. A Northcoast resident since birth, her passion for natural resources conservation led her to pursue a career in which she could make a difference in the local community as well as preserve and restore local ecosystems. As a single mother, she also strives to inspire her 8 year old daughter to care for the environment and take part in its protection. Amy has been involved with restoration and conservation efforts with other local non-profit and government organizations in both an academic and professional setting. She has a particular interest in invasive plant management and the restoration of coastal ecosystems including salt marsh and dune habitats. She is looking forward to having an active role in a variety of NRS projects within both the watershed and active living programs.
 Elijah Portugal was raised in Humboldt County and is very excited to be returning to the area to plan, design, implement and monitor process-based river and estuary restoration and rehabilitation projects on the Northcoast. He joins us most recently, from Utah where he worked for two years as a fluvial geomorphologist with Utah State Universities’ Fluvial Habitat Center. In that position he planned, designed and monitored beaver-assisted restoration projects in collaboration with state, federal and local agencies, private landowners and Native American tribes. Elijah received his Bachelors of Science degree in fisheries biology from Humboldt State University in 2008 and his Masters of Science degree in geomorphology and hydrology from Utah State University in 2014. He has over 12 years’ experience working with fish habitat throughout the West and specializes in geomorphic and hydrologic assessments as well process-based instream restoration techniques including ‘partnering with beaver’ and High-Density Large Woody Debris additions. He has developed adaptive beaver management plans that balance the needs of landowners with the biological and physical services that beaver provide. He is very happy to be joining the NRS team and looks forward to implementing collaborative, sustainable, process-based restoration projects that benefit Northcoast ecosystems and working families.
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Above: Wiyot Way of Life interpretive sign located at the Freshwater Farms Nature Trail
Interpretive Signs and Trail Amenities
NRS has been working closely with the Northcoast Regional Land Trust in the development of interpretive signage for their newly opened Freshwater Farms Nature Trail. This ¾ mile trail features reclaimed saltmarsh habitat - a result of tide gate removal and restoration efforts, and highlights the balanced uses with historical agricultural practices. In other trail news, 2016 will see the ground-breaking for the Eureka Waterfront Trail’s newest segment – between Truesdale Avenue and Del Norte Street. NRS will assist in the development of interpretive signage and associated amenities. NRS also received a Coastal Conservancy grant to develop a series of short video clips highlighting the natural and cultural history of several sites along the Eureka Waterfront Trail and the Hammond Coastal Trail.
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Above: Rain barrels were given to local schools as part of the Droughtbusters program
Environmental Education
Through a Dept. of Fish and Wildlife grant, NRS visited classrooms (mostly fifth grade) at local public schools in the Mad River and Eureka Plain watersheds with our Droughtbusters water conservation education program. The program included the delivery of a rain barrel and a presentation highlighting how the harvesting of rain water can decrease the need to ‘tap the Mad’ for certain outdoor water needs. The less we tap the Mad River, the more water that remains for salmonid life cycle needs. Additionally, NRS will soon focus on stormwater education through a State Water Resources Control Board grant called ‘Sinkin’ the Stormwater.’ Selected classrooms at three local schools will be educated about stormwater and low impact development (LID) practices, while engineers implement LID features (such as bioswales and rain gardens) to help reduce stormwater runoff and improve stormwater quality.
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Above: Community members of the Samoa Peninsula at the first Community Dinner and Visioning
Samoa Peninsula Community Improvement
NRS is working closely with resident leaders throughout the Samoa Peninsula to build community and improve health outcomes. Residents have been leading monthly meetings Peninsula-wide and have chosen to call themselves the "Peninsula Community Collaborative" (PCC). The PCC hosted its first Community Dinner and Visioning on Saturday, April 30th at the Peninsula Union School cafeteria in Samoa. Additionally, the PCC is working with local schoolchildren on a PhotoVoice project, where the children document their experiences at home and school using single-use cameras and short mini-essays, showing the health of their community through their own lens. These projects will be exhibited at the second community dinner/ gathering later this year, so that people of all ages can experience the community's needs through the eyes of local children. This project is generously supported through the end of 2016 by the St. Joseph Health Community Benefit Fund. For more information about the PCC’s regular monthly meetings or upcoming events, email Natalie at Natalie@nrsrcaa.org.
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