Donate NOW!

Signup for E-Newsletters


Help Put Real "Conservation" in Marin County's Stream Conservation Area Ordinance

It's Now or Never for Marin's Critically Endangered Coho Salmon!

With annual spawning runs down by over 95% of historic norms, this legislation may be the last chance to save this legacy species from what federal biologists have termed "an extinction vortex."

The County is moving quickly to pass a Stream Conservation Area (SCA) Ordinance but the proposed language has so many loopholes you can drive a fleet of logging trucks through them! The draft SCA Ordinance allows a never-ending cycle of habitat destruction along Marin's streams that threatens property security and coho salmon critical habitat.

With County supervisors preparing to vote on the language of this ordinance, they need to hear from YOU about what matters for the environmental legacy of Marin County.

SPAWN supports a robust stream buffer of native vegetation along all streams to protect private property from flooding while also enhancing wildlife habitat. We can support the native biodiversity that we all enjoy by directing our development to areas that don't impact streams. Click here to download SPAWN's Analysis of the Draft Ordinance (15MB file).

We need your help NOW to save Marin County's critically endangered coho salmon from further habitat loss with an improved SCA Ordinance:

1. Click here to take action and send Supervisors an Email calling for strong streamside protections in the new SCA Ordinance.

2. Make a personal call or write a letter the Supervisors! Click here for a draft letter and contact information.

3. Donate to SPAWN's Coho Defense Campaign, it's tax-deductible and easy! Click here to contribute.

4. Help us spread the word by sharing with your friends via Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

5. Attend public hearings. Click here to see the dates. Contact us for carpooling details.

6. Help us build the Campaign - contact Gordon Bennett to see how you can become a Coho Advocate! Email gbatmuirb@aol.com * Phone 415-663-1881.

Future generations will thank you for fighting to protect Marin's coho salmon.

The alternative is extinction!

Download Impacts of Draft SCA Ordinance on San Geromino Watershed, click here.

To download a copy of the draft SCA Ordinance, click here.

To download a copy of the Frequently Asked Questions about the draft SCA Ordinance, click here.

Respected scientists from across California support SPAWN! Click here to read our current Scientists' Support Letter calling for more coho habitat protects in the final SCA Ordinance.

Central California Coast (CCC) coho have declined more than 95% from historic population levels, and are a listed species under the US Endangered Species Act. Just 30 minutes from the SF Bay Area's urban centers, Lagunitas Creek Watershed is one of the most important waterways left for these wild coho salmon, supporting 10 to 20% of all wild CCC Coho surviving today.

The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network is an award-winning, science-based watershed protection organization that engages community members to take action in order to help the salmon recover and thrive. We hope that you will join our efforts to protect this majestic, endangered species!

Click here to join a volunteer work party and view our Winter and Spring creek-side restoration event calendar for you and your friends, family or corporate team to join SPAWN!

JOIN SPAWN and support our efforts ~ DONATE and VOLUNTEER!


More Information

Stream Conservation Area Draft Ordinance Action Items (March 28, 2013)

Internship Opportunities at SPAWN (March 28, 2013)

SPAWN's Analysis of Draft Ordinance (April 22, 2013 - 2.04MB PDF)

Impacts of Draft SCA Ordinance on San Geronimo Creek Watershed (April 1, 2013 - 2.04MB PDF)

Superior Court Judge Hands Down Final Judgment on Streamside Development to Protect Endangered Coho Salmon in Marin County's San Geronimo Valley (September 13, 2012)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2012

NBC Bay Area News Interview with SPAWN Executive Director - January 24, 2012 (January 27, 2012)

Weekend Rain Spawns Salmon Run

CBS Channel 5 Interview with SPAWN Executive Director (January 23, 2012)

CBS Channel 5 Interviewing SPAWN's own Todd Steiner at the Inkwells on January 23, 2012. Click here<...

Scientists' Support Letters for Strong Critical Habitat Protections in Marin (August 27, 2010)

NEW draft Coho Recovery Plan for Central California Coast Coho (March 17, 2010)

**SPAWN Newsletter Archive (downloadable files)**

Marin County Salmon Enhancement Plan & Existing Conditions Report for the San Geronimo Valley - download here for review.

SPAWN's FACT SHEET & TIMELINE on the Salmon Enhancement Plan, Moratorium and more...

Upcoming Events

2013 SPAWN Restoration Work Party Schedule

Smolt Trap Volunteer Opportunities 2013

Sept. 11 - Nov. 13, SPAWN California Naturalist Training

November 9 & 10 - Creekwalk Naturalist Training

Press Releases

New Plan to Save Marin's Coho Salmon

SPAWN Receives Land Parcel Inside Stream Conservation Area in San Geronimo Valley

New Report Identifies California Coho as species Facing Extinction as a Result of Mismanagement of Water & Watersheds

Get Involved Upcoming Events Take Action! Programs Newsroom Resources Reports Links Contact Us About SPAWN Back to Home Page Online Store Cisterns Creek Monitoring Fish Rescue Creek Walks Habitat Restoration Citizen Training Land Acquisition 10,000 Rain Gardens Project Landowner Support