My grandfather BJ Hagedorn was a true mountain man. He backpacked the length of the Cascades for months, was a logger, and built his own homes with his bare hands. He also had a tackle shop out in Ethel, WA called Fish Country that I used to love to visit in the summer. He taught me a healthy respect, appreciation, and ultimately love for nature - and the Skykomish River has been my backyard for almost 40 years.
For those almost 40 years I've seen this river dwindle – from abundant wildlife and so many salmon I used to be scared of swimming as a kid (they were big!) to starving eagles, too many meganzers, and too few fish. I see an ecosystem out of balance, a wild fish population that isn't flourishing, and humans who can no longer live off the land.
Why Get Involved?
A letter from Sky River Restoration’s President, Therasa Cha
Our founders, Rob Nowowiejski, Andy Sandbo, and I launched Sky River Restoration because like many of you, we had enough. We are determined to establish a powerful non-profit to change the direction of our Skykomish River and restore it to the thriving fishery it once was: for people, for wildlife, for wild fish.
Let's be clear. We're in it for the win-win. There isn't one perspective or population that we believe wouldn't benefit from this and we want to make it right for everyone and everything. And we're not guided by feelings, but scientific facts.
However, we can't do this alone. It will take a village. It will take people like you to build a legacy and save a river.
With your support, we’ll continue to advance solutions to the most entrenched and complex issues facing the Skykomish River recovery efforts, with benefits for wild salmon, steelhead, endangered orcas, fisherman, and tribes alike.
On behalf of all of us, thank you. We can’t do this work alone and we’re so grateful for your dedication to the future of the Skykomish River and everything it represents. I truly believe that together we'll go far.
Sincerely,
Therasa Cha
President
Donate
Make a gift for the future of the Skykomish River. Let's build a legacy together!
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