The Mason Conservation District leveraged CREP funding to assist landowners along Gosnell Creek with making improvements to salmon habitat and farm practices. Gosnell Creek provides valuable habitat for coho and chum and is a tributary to Lake Isabella and Mill Creek. Several practices were installed to keep livestock from accessing the creek, including the construction of exclusion fencing to eliminate livestock access to the surface water. More than seven acres of native plants were planted to improve filtration and habitat, and more than 400 logs were placed in the stream to reduce erosion and improve the habitat for salmon. Three watering facilities were installed to provide livestock continues access to water.
Key partners: Washington State Conservation Commission, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Accomplishments:
Delaini Disher’s photo, “Well-Attended Field Demonstration” captures the use of livestock in sustainable farming, highlighting the importance of biomass collection from a grazed cover crop field.
Mckenzi Coleman's "Exclusion Fence" photo highlights the enduring value of exclusion fencing as a tool for protecting natural resources like salmon streams and safeguarding livestock.
The winning photo from the conservation district calendar contest highlights hands-on salmon education.