PRNSA Fisheries Field Crew Lead Brentley McNeill measures a coho redd (nest) at Redwood Creek.

October 22, 2026

Greetings!

Did you know that the National Park Service Fisheries Program monitors three life stages of coho salmon in our local watersheds: smolts, juveniles and returning adult spawners?

While this is a simplified overview of the team’s work, it highlights the ongoing monitoring of coho salmon throughout their life cycle and the health of our local watersheds. Although coho salmon and steelhead trout are the program’s primary focus, the team’s work extends to the broader ecosystem, including other fish species, vertebrates, invertebrates, and habitat.

In fact, while conducting a snorkel survey in Olema Creek, the Fisheries team noticed a newly exposed pipe. Concerned about a potential environmental impact, they tested the water nearby and promptly reported their findings to the county. You may have already read about this in the news!

Like the Fisheries team, other NPS and PRNSA staff work throughout the Seashore to care for vulnerable species, protect critical habitats, and help safeguard our local communities. Their recent discovery is a great example of how ongoing monitoring and attentive fieldwork can make a difference for both people and wildlife.

The Fisheries Program welcomed two new faces to the team last week: Watershed Steward Program (WSP) Corps members, Christian and Gracie. We’re excited to welcome them to Point Reyes and are grateful for the hard work and dedication we know they’ll bring to the team.  

← New WSP members Gracie Duncanson and Christian Alderson learn how to PIT tag coho salmon. NPS / Mike Reichmuth

El Niño and the return of coho

Spawner surveys will kick off in November, and while we wait to see what the “super El Niño" will bring, the team is poised to document another strong cohort of returning coho. These fish were hatched in winter 2024 and were previously monitored as smolts and juveniles. During the surveys, the team will count returning adult spawners and redds (gravel nests) to track long-term trends in population abundance and distribution. When paired with the smolt and juvenile monitoring data, these observations can also help researchers assess ocean survival and better understand the factors influencing coho salmon populations over time. 

We’ll check back in later to share highlights from the season.

With gratitude,

Sam Chiriboga

Deputy Director

LINC Program with Parks Conservancy

Students receiving instruction from NPS Fishery Biologist Mike Reichmuth. NPS / Clair Sapilewski

The group identified and measured aquatic species like these smelt. NPS / Clair Sapilewski

Earlier this year, PRNSA, NPS, and WSP staff collaborated with our partners at the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy for a fisheries-focused educational experience with the Conservancy's LINC program. Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities is a summer experience for high school students that builds leadership skills through community science projects and outdoor activities.

The group set out in the Giacomini Wetlands for a day of fish monitoring, capturing species like stickleback, gobies, pipefish, and freshwater shrimp via seine-netting. They were then placed in aerated buckets where students collected and recorded data like species and size. Fisheries staff also shared their journeys to working in this field, and gave advice to students interested in exploring the career pathway.

Special Event: Honoring Bears in Bear Valley

Bears were once abundant and thriving in and around Point Reyes, and now, after many decades away, they are beginning to return. What does it mean to welcome them back? Join us for an educational storytelling event rooted in Bear Valley's deep history with author and mythologist Sylvia Linsteadt and North Bay Bear Collaborative founder Meghan Walla-Murphy. Meghan will share scientific insights, observations, and perspectives on the bear’s place in our ecology, culture, and collective memory, and Sylvia will close the evening with a performance of an ancient northern European bear myth.

This event is open to PRNSA members and friends. Not a member? Join today for as little as $5 a month and support the Seashore!

Upcoming Programs & Events

Brown Bag: Point Reyes Mountain Beaver

Weds. Oct. 28, 12pm

Join us for a free educational talk at the Red Barn as Dr. Alan Shabel shares insights into the natural history of Point Reyes' most elusive resident.

Stop Taking Pictures, Start Making Photographs!

Sat. Nov. 21, 10am-4pm

Discover techniques, creative vision, and the power of your iPhone camera in this hands-on workshop for all levels.

Mushroom Identification

Sun. Dec. 6, 10am-4:30pm

Explore the mysterious and fascinating world of wild mushrooms in Point Reyes with the basics of identification and a foray into the woods.

Seashore-Inspired Halloween Costumes!

It’s spooky season at the Seashore, and you know what that means…we can unabashedly impersonate our favorite Point Reyes creatures. If you're in need of a Halloween costume idea, we have some ideas for you! See more costumes here.

(Click to enlarge)

Make Your Year-End Gift to

Point Reyes National Seashore

2026 is coming to a close, and now is a great time to plan your charitable giving. You can support PRNSA in several ways, and some gifts may offer tax benefits.

Here are five ways to support the Seashore:

1. Make a one-time gift or become a High Tide Member: Give online by credit or debit card to help protect and care for Point Reyes.
2. Give through your donor-advised fund (DAF). Recommend a grant to PRNSA and help sustain our work.
3. Give from your IRA or donate appreciated stock. Depending on your circumstances, these gifts may offer tax advantages while supporting the park.
4. Make a lasting impact. Honor someone special with a tribute gift or include PRNSA in your estate plans.

You can also mail a check to 1 Bear Valley Road, Bldg. 70, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Donations to Point Reyes National Seashore Association are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Tax ID is #94-2228894

However you choose to give, thank you for helping protect Point Reyes and connect more people with this extraordinary place.