Salmon Safe Certification

In Fall 2012, Lewis & Clark began the process of Salmon-Safe certification. Salmon-Safe is a third party, peer-reviewed certification program linking land management practices with the protection of agricultural and urban watersheds. The Salmon-Safe certification program focuses on salmonid species (i.e., salmon and trout) and their habitat requirements. Salmonid species are a key indicator spe­cies in the Pacific Northwest, and their conservation is entwined with the health of ecosystems that include a variety of aquatic and upland wildlife species.

The certification process includes policy and process review, site assessment, and community engagement. Each piece is reviewed by a first 3-member team including academic practitioners in the following fields; hydrology, pesticides/herbicides, plant biology, and salmon biology. The team reviews management policies and practices in the following areas:

• Stormwater management
• Integrated pest management
• Erosion and sedimentation control
• Water conservation and irrigation
• In-stream and riparian habitat restoration and wetlands management

Lewis & Clark is pursuing Salmon-Safe to enhance, develop, and repair habitat throughout its 137 acres. Through this process, the institution intends to monitor the impact of its efforts as well as partner with neighboring properties and organizations to expand the educational and environmental opportunities of this program.

The assessment report is provided here. 

Certification Standards

Salmon Safe Certification may be applied to campuses such as Lewis & Clark, as well as parks, vineyards, farms, neighborhoods, etc. Visit this website to learn more about the campus-specific standards.

Student Engagement

Research, mapping, surveys, and ivy removal. Students have been actively involved in the Salmon Safe Certification process supporting the many faucets of this program.

Papers, reports and student on-site work

• Opportunities for Student Interaction
• Impervious Mapping, Salmon Safe Assessment Presentation
• Invasive Species Map
• Ivy Removal from Trees

Biology 141

This course examines aspects of the Salmon-Safe certification pertaining to biologic indicators and ecology. More information to come!