Summer holdover conditions are increasingly stressful with this heat wave. Adults will head for the coolest pools with depth, hyporheic flow and spring inputs.

Juveniles photo Sage Ono

Butte Creek Updates:

Save the Dates!
September 24-26th, 20th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour and Wild and Scenic Field Tours
Tickets on sale now for the Film Nights
Butte Environmental Council Salmon Forum August 29

20th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour

This year marks the Twentieth anniversary of hosting the Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour!

We have a lot planned for this year’s festivities – including two-nights of films, field trips, pre-show receptions and silent auction, raffle prize drawings, and guest speakers. Join us for one night, come out for both nights to see all the films, and "Get to Know the Watershed" on one or two of our field trips.

Night One: 'Flock of Films' Co-sponsored by AltaCal Bird Alliance
Thursday, 09/24, 6-9 p.m. at the Pageant Theatre in Chico.
Featuring inspiring films all about bird conservation and research.
Night Two: ‘Mobilize’ A night to inspire activism!
Saturday, 09/26, 6-9 p.m. at the Paradise Performing Arts Center.
Featuring films about innovative wildlife and habitat conservation and compelling stories of hopefulness and re-wilding. Including films on Golden trout, Yosemite toads, black bears, and more.
Wild and Scenic Guided Field Trips
Friday, 09/25 and Saturday, 09/26.
Hosted by local experts, these are opportunities for hands-on learning and fun activities in the Butte Creek Watershed.
Trips include:
Forks of the Butte - Forest Health and Forest Therapy
Butte Creek House and Willow Creek
CDFW Floodplain Restoration Project
Spawning Tours

Tickets are on sale for the Film Events. Tickets available here. Field trip tickets coming soon.

If you’d like to volunteer and/or sponsor this year’s festival, Contact us.

2026 Film Fest Previews

The Yosemite Toad (Steven M. Bumgardner Producer/Director 2025)

First identified in Yosemite National Park in the early 1900s, and found only in the Sierra Nevada, the Yosemite Toad is adapted for life at high elevation. Rarely seen, the male toads possess a vocal sack that allows them to produce a melodious, trilling call. As the snow melts, you may have a chance to hear these “singing” toads during the brief mating season. (10 mins.) This will be included in the September 26th program.

Amazing Return of Wild Spring Run Chinook Salmon Still Hangin' in There

Temperatures have definitely warmed up but PG&E appears to be releasing additional water from Philbrook Reservoir. Flows are up to about 165-170 cfs at the USGS Gauge below the Covered Bridge. Thanks to Sage Ono for the incredible photos!

We have had no less than 5 professional photographers in the creek with the fish this year. We practice low impact filming using fixed camera positions. A documentary is in the works. Stay tuned as the Salmoncam is coming back!

Still looking for qualified individuals.

Danielle Feulner has joined Friends of Butte Creek as our Communications Director.

We have more projects in the pipeline and will need more help. Give Friends of Butte Creek a look!

Are you looking for a career in Watershed Protection and Restoration? This could be the dream job of your future. We are looking for a multi-talented individual with a four year degree or more to coordinate, manage projects, and build Friends of Butte Creek for the next generations. We'd prefer a full-time commitment but will consider a flexible position. Please send a letter of interest, a CV or resume, and current employment situation. You can send by email to friends@buttecreek.org or hard copy to: Friends of Butte Creek, 2024 West Sacramento Avenue, Chico CA 95973.

Next Generation Watershed Stewards

Butte Environmental Council was awarded a grant called Next Generation Water Stewards that FBC will be collaborating on. Students (2nd to 6th graders) from Chapmantown and Thermalito will be raising Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout in their classrooms and releasing them into the Feather River.

BEC is also doing a Salmon Forum at the Centerville Schoolhouse August 29th. More details coming soon.

Friends of Butte Creek will follow the releases with a "Wild and Scenic Film Program" specially curated for 2nd - 6th graders at Chapman Elementary and Thermalito this fall.

Running Wild - Return to the River

The Wild Salmon Center (WSC) and Friends of Butte Creek have partnered on creating a Strategic Action Plan for Butte Creek. They work on the Salmon Stronghold Project across the entire North Pacific. Butte Creek is one of the strongholds for salmon in the Pacific Rim. It is the southernmost and the smallest stronghold. As part of the Strongholds campaign, WSC has produced a brilliant IMAX movie called “Running Wild – Return to the River”. Friends of Butte Creek will be sure to bring the movie to Chico as soon as it is available. Shirts available soon.

Our fundraising is on track for a new record! Thank you for your continuing support. You are helping to protect and restore one of the last, best wild salmon watersheds in California.

We continue to seek ways to address insufficient stream flows for migrating adults and juvenile salmon and hope to add to our water rights portfolio with more dedicated instream flows. Speaking of which, a great way to donate is to the Michael Smith Salmon Water Endowment established to pay our annual California State Watermaster fees for our 5 cfs instream flow water right. Last year a very generous donor paid the whole enchilada for us, allowing our endowment to grow even more. Maybe that is something you'd like to consider in 2026!

Like most non-profit groups, we accept any financial donations, be it cash, stocks, bonds or other financial instruments. Please consider including Friends of Butte Creek in your Charitable, Personal or Family trust. We also will consider any land donations, especially on Butte Creek. There may be financial incentives for critically located properties. There are many tax benefits to all of these donation types and we are happy to work with you to fit your situation.

Our general investment account for the long-term is another good option through the North Valley Community Foundation. These fund are reserved for future Board of Director needs and require Board approval for withdrawal.

Finally, feel free to reach out directly on the website or with a check, money order, gold, silver or diamonds! Our mailing address is:

Friends of Butte Creek, 2024 West Sacramento Avenue, Chico, CA 95973.

Happy Summer and join us for the Film Fest!

FBC Board of Directors.

We have lots of the regular style FBC shirts and hats with plenty of long sleeve tees for the fall. Send us an email to friends@buttecreek.org to get yours now!

We will have a wide selection of regular shirts, Ray Troll shirts and maybe a new design available at the reception and Film Festival.