Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group

Donations made during Give Local supports the Theler Wetland Trails & Nature Center!

The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is raising funds for the public trails and facilities at the Theler Wetlands! In addition to upkeep of the wetland trails and boardwalks, HCSEG is hard at work restoring the Theler Wildlife Museum so that it can be reopened to the public. HCSEG works to improve and maintain all of these public spaces so that they remain accessible and safe for our entire community.

The Theler Wetlands is also home to several species of salmon, including threatened Hood Canal Summer Chum. HCSEG works to keep this ecosystem healthy and thriving by removing invasive plant species, trash and other debris. Maintaining the wetland trails also provides our community an accessible place to get outside, as well as witness an incredible habitat restoration project at work. Folks come from all over western Washington to visit the wetlands for respite in nature, and to observe the return of countless species of birds, salmon, foxes, otters, bears and other wildlife that had once been absent from the estuary due to loss of habitat. As you can imagine, the wetlands also serve as an ideal outdoor classroom for environmental education programs for students of all ages, families and life-long learners.

Your support during Give Local helps this ecosystem continue to thrive, the trails to be maintained and open for public use, and for the wildlife museum to be reopened once again for the community! 

The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group strives to deepen the connection between land, people, and salmon through restoration, education, and research.

For over 30 years, with the help of our donors, volunteers, and staff, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group participates in restoration and research projects throughout the entire Hood Canal Watershed. 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 and summer camps that are free to our community, supporting students, teachers, and life-long learners. HCSEG also provides internships and scholarships to local Hood Canal students each year.

Located next to the Union River estuary, HCSEG’s headquarters, the Salmon Center, operates certified organic garden (with produce available to our community by donation only!), as well as a variety of farm animals to demonstrate how salmon, humans, and agriculture can coexist. The farm is also home to honeybees, a pollinator garden, and a dog park! HCSEG also maintains several miles of walking trails within the Union River Estuary, so that the public can enjoy this recently restored habitat and observe the rebound of nature in this critical salmon ecosystem. All of these amenities and spaces are free and open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.