The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) strives to deepen the connection between land, people, and salmon through research, restoration, and education. Our mission is to ensure that wild salmon are once again abundant in the Pacific Northwest. With the help of our donors, members, volunteers, and staff, HCSEG participates in restoration and research projects throughout the entire Hood Canal Watershed in the western part of Washington State. These efforts not only benefit local salmon populations, but also support the ecological diversity of this beautiful and scenic natural community.
In addition to habitat restoration and research, HCSEG carries out an assortment of educational programs, supporting students, teachers, and life-long learners. Located next to the Union River estuary, HCSEG’s headquarters, the Salmon Center, also operates a certified organic garden (with produce available to our community by donation only), as well as raises a variety of farm animals, (llamas, alpacas, chickens, ducks, goats, etc.), to demonstrate how salmon, humans, and agriculture can coexist.
HCSEG is one of 12 original Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, or RFEGs, created by the Washington State Legislature in 1990. There are now 14 RFEGs across Washington state. The RFEGs were created to be active partners in assisting Washington State in salmon recovery efforts, supported by community volunteers. The RFEGs were tasked with supplementing fish populations, restoring salmon habitat, and developing salmon-related education programs. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status in November 1990.
Many of HCSEG’s projects and programs are developed in conjunction with various resource managers. These partners include: the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, Long Live the Kings, Mason Conservation District, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, numerous Mason, Kitsap and Jefferson County government departments, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Puget Sound Partnership, Skokomish Tribal Nation, University of Washington, United States Forest Service, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Transportation, and Washington State Parks.
