Salmon Public Outreach and Education 2019

The CTUIR utilized the PCSRF funding to support conservation efforts through public education and outreach methods, which educate the public about the First Foods Mission. This mission is to protect, restore and enhance the First Foods which include Water, Salmon, Deer, Cous and Huckleberry for the perpetual cultural, economic and sovereign benefit of the CTUIR. These funds were primarily used for activities 2022-2023, with some additional support in 2024.



Outreach methods included indoor and outdoor class presentations, workshops, trainings, field tours and service learning projects. We provide outreach activities in the Walla Walla, Umatilla, Columbia and Snake River Watersheds, the CTUIR ceded territory and beyond. Efforts focus on providing public education and outreach to the general public, local schools, and higher education institutes. Participants learn the importance of the CTUIR’s efforts to protect, preserve and restore aquatic and First Food resources. Participants also learn how they impact the ecosystems and how they can help by making responsible choices and by respecting the environment around them. Tours and service learning projects provide participants the opportunity to assist CTUIR programs in restoring fish and wildlife habitat. Aquatic and First Foods presentations include information about First Foods projects and how important their relationships are to anadromous species and the watershed. DNR subject matter experts present CTUIR restoration projects throughout the river basins and surrounding areas.



The 2019-Umat-04 funding supported DNR’s outreach efforts for:

1. Salmon Expedition Presentation Series, 2022 - 2024

2. Return to the River Salmon Festival, 2023 - 2024

3. CTUIR First Foods Use and Access Project 2022 - 2024

Funding was utilized to support:

1. Salary expense to coordinate, plan and implement projects: Salmon Expedition

Presentation Series, Return to the River Salmon Festival and First Foods Use and Access.

2. PCSRF administrative tasks including project tracking.

3. Travel and GSA/vehicle expenses.

4. Purchased radio/media ads to promote the Return to the River Salmon Festival event

through Elkhorn Media Group.

5. Equipment rental for Return to the River Event.

6. Consumable supplies for participants and volunteers for the Return to the River Event.

7. Stipends for cultural master educators for Return to River Event.

8. Event supplies for Return to River and local community events.

9. Travel expenses for First Foods excursions.

10. Educational outreach supplies for salmon and traditional foods processing classes.

Species that benefit from DNR’s outreach and education project include:

• ESA listed summer steelhead and bull trout,

• Reintroduced spring chinook and Pacific lamprey, and

• Inland redband trout and margined sculpin, listed as vulnerable under Oregon’s Sensitive Species rule.



CTUIR also includes wildlife and plant species that directly benefit from aquatic species restoration efforts. Educating the public about the significance of ESA listed species will increase support for habitat restoration projects and fish protection. Through education and outreach efforts within the schools, students return home and share information with parents and family. This sharing of information supports restoration efforts by increasing awareness about natural resource management curriculum and the impacts that students can have on their natural environment. The goal is to create young stewards to carry the mantle of natural resource protection and preservation into the future. The CTUIR is also working to increase public support and stronger partnerships for future salmon and watershed restoration projects.