WWU Alumna Rachel Vasak to Discuss Salmon Recovery Nov.3 at Western
Rachel Vasak, executive director of the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, will discuss local salmon recovery efforts as part of the WWU Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 in Miller Hall 138 on the Western Washington University campus.
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) sprang to life in the 1980s when a group of concerned volunteers united to try to reverse the trend of declining salmon runs in Whatcom County. In 1991, NSEA incorporated as a nonprofit, becoming one of 14 Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in Washington State. Over the years, NSEA crews, students and community volunteers have planted more than 250,000 trees and shrubs to turn degraded stream banks into functional buffers that improve water quality. Since 1999, more than 20,000 Whatcom County students have been involved in NSEA education programs, all at no cost to area school districts, students or parents. And in the last 10 years alone, NSEA has opened over 50 miles of stream habitat by removing 70 fish passage barriers.
In her Speaker Series talk, Vasak will describe in detail NSEA’s work to improve river, creek and riparian habitat while educating people of all ages to ensure Pacific salmon and Steelhead are provided the best chance for survival.
Vasak graduated from WWU with a degree in Environmental Engineering Geology, and has worked at Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) in a variety of capacities since 1996. She has served NSEA in her current role of executive director since 2008, managing NSEA’s personnel, funding, budgeting, investments, strategic priorities, risk management, and a recently completed capital campaign and project to purchase and renovate a permanent facility for NSEA to work from.
The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate.
The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.
WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental professionals and stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.
For more information, please contact WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-2554.