(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - A stream restoration project and workforce development training are taking place this May.  Ketchikan Indian Community(KIC), the United States Forest Service, and Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition(SAWC) are hosting a stream restoration training in Ketchikan to support work being done to restore Margaret Creek on Revillagigedo Island this summer.  

Workforce Development Training 

“The first peoples of the Ketchikan area have been stewarding these lands since time immemorial. These trainings provide a few modern tools to locals, so they can get jobs continuing this work,” said Tony Gallegos, Cultural Resources director at Ketchikan Indian Community.

The stream restoration training and workforce development event is May 17 through 19 on Cape Fox land on the Ketchikan road system (see attached flier). This event is aimed at young adults interested in a career in natural resource management, stream restoration, or other laborer positions, as well as general laborers looking to diversify their skillset. 

The training will be instructed by the U.S. Forest Service and SAWC staff. The training will cover using tools, like winches and chainsaws, to perform in-stream restoration. It will also cover site identification and identifying quality fish habitat.

Looking for Watershed Workers

“By teaching people how to restore salmon streams, we’re creating jobs and fostering stewardship of salmon,” said Rob Cadmus, SAWC’s Executive Director.

Positions are now open for seasonal stream and forest restoration laborers this summer. Work will take place from May 16 through June 20 (see Attached Flier). Workers will first participate in the stream restoration training described above as well as an additional week of training before heading out for two weeks of work at a remote site at Margaret Creek (camping required).  This opportunity is for anyone thinking about getting into natural resource management or looking to diversify their skillset and are paid positions from $20 to $25 per hour.

KIC, U.S.  Forest Service, and SAWC have partnered together to restore Margaret Creek, a formerly productive fish stream on a remote portion of Revillagigedo Island north of Ketchikan. 

“Margaret Creek restoration has been prioritized by the Forest Service based on extensive planning and research. The hand tool work done by the crew will be coupled with heavy equipment work also taking place at the site,” said Jon Hyde, biologist for the Ketchikan Ranger District, US Forest Service.

Healthy fish streams require diverse stream channels, like pools, riffles, large woody debris structures and the like. Historic logging over Margaret Creek removed the potential for large woody debris to enter the stream and create fish habitat.  Workers will recreate natural log jam structures in the stream to attract fish.

To register for the training or apply for a position, email Irene Dundas at irened@kictribe.org or call (907) 228-9322.

Ketchikan Indian Community
kictribe.org

U.S. Forest Service
usda.gov

Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition
alaskawatershedcoalition.org

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