Celebrating 30 years of watershed conservation!

Telephone: (207) 483-4336 Fax: (207) 483-6057

Email: dsf@mainesalmonrivers.org

Website: www.mainesalmonrivers.org

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  Wild Salmon Resource Center (WSRC - Est. 1992). Located in downtown Columbia Falls, the WSRC is designed to increase community participation in the conservation of the Atlantic salmon and their watersheds. The WSRC was built on the foundation of the former Pleasant River hydroelectric plant and serves as the main base of DSF operations. The facility features dynamic educational displays, a lending library, conference and office space and a volunteer-built Downeast Heritage Fish Camp (2011) - all overlooking the Pleasant River estuary.
  

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  Pleasant River Fish Hatchery (PRH - Est. 1992). The PRH is located beneath the WSRC in the
  

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  Downeast Rivers Land Trust (DRLT - Est. 2002). The DRLT is a regional land trust program of DSF primarily focused on protecting salmon habitat, riparian buffers and public access. DRLT holds properties and easements totaling over 2,000 acres with 15 miles of river and stream frontage. Our lands also include cabins and campsites, over 25 acres of productive organic blueberry fields and several miles of public trails. Notable DRLT property locations include Wigwams Rapids (Machias River), Saco Falls, Great Heath, the Pleasant River Community Forest (Pleasant River), Great Falls, Schoodic Brook and Sprague Falls areas (Narraguagus River). Recently DRLT acquired an eight acre property near the Harrington River known as Redmond’s Creek for its importance to spawning smelt.
  

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  East Machias Aquatic Research Center (EMARC – Est. 2007). DSF is developing a $1.25 million dollar fisheries restoration center / lab and conservation hatchery in the donated Bangor Hydro Electric Company facility in the Town of East Machias. Since 2009, the hatchery has drawn water from the East Machias River to support the growth of locally adapted salmon fry. In 2012, EMARC will use the latest findings of salmon hatchery methods to raise 81,000 Atlantic salmon parr for the East Machias River. Future construction plans include a classroom, a water quality laboratory, a GIS and technical resources center, and office space for staff and visiting researchers.
  

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  The WSRC, PRH and EMARC offer students and visitors an intimate appreciation of Atlantic salmon ecology. These facilities provide hands-on learning resources to observe Atlantic salmon and hatchery operations.
  
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  In 2011, DSF reconstructed a Downeast Heritage Fish Camp on the shores of Pleasant River to highlight the historic processing and harvest practices of the past for the future sustainable smelt fishery. A smokehouse is being planned for EMARC, which will celebrate the heritage of sustainable alewife fishery on the East Machias River.
  
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  Since 2001, DSF Educators have offered programs for Washington County schools and the general public on Atlantic salmon, watersheds, and river conservation. The DSF Education Program has engaged hundreds of local students and teachers with hands-on activities that inspire learning and action.
  
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  In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Salmon in Schools” Program, DSF provides ongoing outreach and support for schools raising salmon in the classroom. In 2012, participating schools in the program will be stocking out young salmon into the Machias, East Machias, and Pleasant River systems.
  
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  DSF established a trail system and interpretive signage for our 424-acre Pleasant River Community Forest adjacent to the Eastern Little River (a major tributary to the Pleasant River, in Columbia Falls) with the assistance of grant funds received through the Maine Forest Service’s Project Canopy Program. In the summer of 2010, interpretive kiosks were installed throughout the system to identify habitat zones, unique plant communities and historical background information. With the help of two interns in 2011 from the Acadian Program in Regional Conservation and Stewardship, the forest reserve is now open for the public with a parking area providing access to 2 miles of newly constructed hiking trails along the river.
  
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  The annual DSF Smelt Fry has grown from a local gathering of fifty in 2001 to a popular regional celebration that attracts over 500 people to the shores of the Pleasant River each April.
  
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  In 2012, DSF continues outreach and education efforts supporting organic blueberry production and sustainable agricultural practices across our region. In addition to our own organic management of 25+ acres of blueberry lands, DSF has produced a brochure encouraging other small/midsize growers to grow organically.
  

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  DSF believes that the best way to resolve water quality problems in our rivers is to inform and involve the community. In order to learn more about the chemistry of the Pleasant River, DSF maintains a data sonde (electronic data recorder) to continuously gather data on the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity of the Pleasant River which runs adjacent to the WSRC. The data is available in real time on our website.
  
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  In 2008, the PRH expanded to accommodate a three-year research study to investigate the effects of acid rain and acid mitigation on Atlantic salmon health and survival. The project sought to study the combined effects of the agricultural herbicide hexazinone (Velpar), used in the local blueberry industry with acidic waters on a salmon’s prey capture ability. This research will help DSF and project partners determine if the combined stressors of low pH and pesticides impair feeding performance; which has implications for long-term growth and survival. The study was to have concluded in May of 2011 with the release of the fish to the river but an unfortunate oil spill destroyed the experiment. DSF will start the experiment over in 2013. Visit the PRH or check out the DSF website to learn more.
  
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  In 2009, The DSF successfully petitioned the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to reverse their proposed closure of the last commercial gill and bag net smelt fisheries in the eastern United States. In the winter of 2010 DSF began working with DMR to document smelt abundance and water quality so that degraded habitats can be restored. This work continues in 2012, as DSF also conducts a census of smelt spawning habitats across Washington County. Using local knowledge and stream surveys, this project aims to increase our awareness of this important little fish.