About SPAWN:
The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) works to protect and restore endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed in Marin County, California, as well as the environment on which we all depend. SPAWN uses a multi-faceted approach to accomplish its mission including grassroots action, habitat restoration, policy development, research and monitoring, citizen training, environmental education, policy development, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies.
We have ongoing volunteer opportunities, from habitat restoration to water-quality monitoring, a native plant nursery, festival season, advocacy and administration. Sign up below or call 415-663-8590 to volunteer with SPAWN!
Visit SPAWN's website today!
How Did SPAWN Get Involved in Rainwater Harvesting?
The health of our creeks and watershed has a direct impact on the health and survival of the state and federal-listed "endangered" coho salmon and steelhead. As a result of the "Pave It, Pipe It, Pollute It" paradigm of modern development, each time it rains, millions of gallons of stormwater pour off our developments into the creeks, carrying a multitude of pollutants and debris. Consider that every eight months in the continental USA, the equivalent amount of oil to the Exxon Valdez spill runs off our parking lots and roads and into streams, rivers and bays. Add to that the millions of gallons of petroleum-based fertilizers and herbicides used nation-wide each year, and you have an environmental disaster. Further, the massive amount of rushing water discharged like waste down storm drains causes creek bank erosion and creek sedimentation as it washes baby salmon and steelhead fry out to sea long before they are mature enough to survive.
In 2006, through grants from the EPA, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Bella Vista Foundation, SPAWN installed a 30,000 gallon rainwater harvesting project at the Lagunitas School to showcase a way to reduce stormwater-related erosion of adjacent creeks. The project was listed as a SWRCB "Bay Area Success" story and generated enormous public interest.
In 2008, SPAWN partnered with the Marin Community Foundation's "Strategic Initiatives Program" to continue its work to provide training and resources to the public. In 2008, we installed an additional seventeen rainwater harvesting projects and led hundreds of people on tours to see them.
In 2010, the Marin Municipal Water District selected SPAWN to lead their pilot rainwater harvesting program, which allows us to broaden our reach to include the larger Marin County community.
In 2006, through grants from the EPA, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Bella Vista Foundation, SPAWN installed a 30,000 gallon rainwater harvesting project at the Lagunitas School to showcase a way to reduce stormwater-related erosion of adjacent creeks. The project was listed as a SWRCB "Bay Area Success" story and generated enormous public interest.
In 2008, SPAWN partnered with the Marin Community Foundation's "Strategic Initiatives Program" to continue its work to provide training and resources to the public. In 2008, we installed an additional seventeen rainwater harvesting projects and led hundreds of people on tours to see them.
In 2010, the Marin Municipal Water District selected SPAWN to lead their pilot rainwater harvesting program, which allows us to broaden our reach to include the larger Marin County community.
