Salmon Enhancement has three main program areas, each with its own volunteers needs. Volunteers are also needed for special events and general organization support. The following outlines some of the volunteer needs. Some require more specific skills than others and some are seasonal commitments, but no job is more important than another.

PEN REARING

Up to 140,000 Chinook salmon are reared and released every year from Port San Luis Harbor in Avila Beach. These fish contribute to the ocean catch and local economy. Pen rearing is time honored tradition of Salmon Enhancement. To achieve such numbers takes a lot of work and volunteer hours. We receive baby salmon in the month of May, we then acclimate them from their fresh water to their new salt water ocean homes. We monitor and raise them for three months and then release them into the wild. The volunteer hours are therefore seasonal.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Prepare the nets and pens prior to fish arrival, commonly called Pen Rearing Work Days
• Feed and monitor fish daily
• Release fish
• Help with annual Salmon BBQ: cook, serve, sell tickets

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Salmon Enhancement believes in empowering and educating our community through dynamic, hands-on experiences. Volunteers help bring the Salmon Enhancement vision to local students and adults through many different educational opportunities such as Trout in the Classroom and Central Coast Quests. Volunteers spend time in classrooms, at local lakes and creeks, on hikes, and at community events. Volunteering with the Education and Outreach projects is a great way to make a difference while also inspiring others to make a difference too.

Trout in the Classroom

The Trout in the Classroom program places incubator aquariums in local classrooms. Salmon Enhancement volunteers deliver trout eggs to each classroom. The students care for the trout until they reach the fry stage of development at which point they have the opportunity to go on a release field trip to a local lake. The program lasts 2-3 months during which time the students learn about the life cycle of salmon and trout, water quality, healthy watersheds and the impacts humans have. The hands-on nature of this program engages the student emotionally in healthy stewardship of our natural resources.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Help deliver and set-up equipment in classrooms
• Deliver trout eggs
• Give presentations in local classrooms, with clubs and at community events. Training and supplies are provided by Salmon Enhancement for all presenters; you do NOT have to be an expert or even knowledgeable, just willing and excited
• Lead activities on release field trips: spend a great day at the lake

Rods 'n Reels

Salmon Enhancement was founded by fishermen and we want to pass on our passion and joy of fishing to our children and grand children. Rods 'n Reels provides kids with opportunities to get out in nature and go fishing. Through camps and special events, we hope to get more children in the community interacting with their environment.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Be "expert fishermen and fisherwomen" helping children learn the skills and ethics needed to be responsible anglers. These volunteers are expected to have existing fishing knowledge.
• Help coordinate, set up and break down fish out days.
• Make fishing trips and fishing opportunities available for local kids and families
  

• Design new Quests
• Help at Questing Day
• Maintain existing Quests
  

WATERSHED RESTORATION

The Watersheds are an important feature to the salmon and trout population. They need to be closely monitored to ensure a suitable living environment for our fish. Therefore, there is a lot of work to be done to by volunteers.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Join the Science CREW. CREW members monitor the water quality and habitat in our local creeks. Training and equipment is provided.
• We have routine clean up days that would be a perfect opportunity for first time volunteers to be introduced to different areas of the watershed.
• Volunteers will also be needed to routinely go our and clear out English Ivy from the surrounding area. This invasive species will need to be monitored closely and long term volunteers would be preferred in this area.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Salmon Enhancement hosts and/or attends many events through out the year. These events help us to engage more of the community in fisheries enhancement and help to raise funds to support our efforts. We are always looking for people who are willing to go out to events, not hosted by Salmon Enhancement, and staff either a game booth or an information booth. The events hosted by Salmon Enhancement take many volunteer hours to prepare and run. These include, but are not limited to, the following.

WaterFest

WaterFest is a county-wide festival aimed at educating the public on the need for water conservation and monitoring. Salmon Enhancement works with other like-minded organizations to bring this unique, fun and informative event to San Luis Obispo County.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Work on the planning committee
• Set-up and clean-up on the day of the event
• Staff one of the booths during the event

Salmon BBQ

The Salmon BBQ celebrates our Pen Rearing Project each year while also raising money to help support the project.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Work on the planning committee
• Set-up and clean-up on the day of the event
• BBQ and/or serve food
• Staff one of the booths during the event

Creek Day

Every year, volunteers head into local creeks and remove trash before the rainy season.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Work on the planning committee
• Remove trash from the creeks
• Be Creek Captains

A Taste of Salmon

A Taste of Salmon is Salmon Enhancement's biggest fundraiser each year. Hosted in the fall, the event includes auctions, salmon tasting, dinner and lots of fun.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Work on the planning committee
• Secure donations for the auction
• Recruit restaurants to serve during the tasting
• Set-up and clean-up on the day of the event
• Staff one of the booths during the event
  

ORGINZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees Salmon Enhancement, ensuring that the organization is fulfilling the mission and vision responsibly. The Board is charged with the authority and responsibility or developing new polices, procedures, and regulations for the operation of Salmon Enhancement and with participating in the fundraising programs designed to support the organization.
Being on the board is a wonderful way to have a direct impact on the accomplishments of Salmon Enhancement and is an important service to the community. The efforts of these individuals enhance the quality of life in San Luis Obispo County. Board members deserve our thanks.

Committees

Committees are the backbone of our work. They help to plan and execute everything that gets done.

Volunteers are needed to serve on the following committees:

• Pen Rearing Planning Committee
• Education Planning Committee
• Watershed Steering Committees
• Fund Development Committee
• Event Committees

Office

While all the program and project areas are the reason Salmon Enhancement exists, being able to accomplish this work requires administrative support. We always need volunteers who are willing to work in the office helping us to keep the wheels moving

• Help with newsletters
• Send out regular mailings
• Improve and maintain the website
• General maintenance and housekeeping

As you can see we have a great need for volunteers! There are many areas and needs that any volunteer will feel comfortable in. With the proper training and time, a person can be involved in as many areas as they feel comfortable and with time, can become and integral part of our organization.