The Board of Directors meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months.  If you are interested in attending please contact us for further information: sfeg@skagitfisheries.org

 

Interested in becoming a Board Member?

Becoming a board member is a great way to get involved with Skagit Fisheries. Each year we seek new board members that represent the community we serve.  All interests and expertise are welcome.  No experience with salmon restoration is necessary, just a passion for conservation!  If you would like more information about serving on the board of directors please contact Alison at astudley@skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

Pat Stevenson– Natural Resources Director, Stillaguamish Tribe

President

Pat has over 35 years working in the field of habitat restoration with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (3yrs) and the Stillaguamish Tribe (32yrs).  He currently serves as both the Environmental Manager and Natural Resources Director for the Stillaguamish Tribe. He has been focused on implementing the Stillaguamish Chinook Recovery Plan over the past fifteen years which includes habitat work on riparian, sediment, floodplain, estuary, hydrology, and large wood. He currently serves as the Tribal Representative on the Wash. Invasive Species Council.   Throughout his career he has been working with Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in a variety of capacities.  Pat has also been active in his community in other ways serving on the board of the Bellingham Food Bank, Opportunity Council, and Whatcom Democrats.  Pat is excited to bring his expertise to the Skagit watershed and work collaboratively in an area where the potential for making a significant difference in protecting and recovering salmon populations is so great.

 

Erik Young–Research Scientist

Vice President

Following a long successful legal career focused on telecommunications mergers and acquisitions, Erik returned to school 15 years ago to pursue his passion for science and the environment. After obtaining a BS in Marine Biology, followed by a Master of Marine and Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington, Erik worked as a research scientist under a NOAA grant for the University of Washington, and served on the Boards of a number of environmental nonprofits and technical advisory boards in Northern California focused on salmonid recovery. Now living along the shore of Puget Sound,  he continues to work under another grant funded project to monitor salmon using visual recognition, artificial intelligence, and underwater SONAR.  He is deeply interested in salmon habitat issues and is excited about putting his skills to work here in the Skagit now that he has settled in Washington State.

 

Bob Everitt- Wildlife Biologist, WDFW Regional Manager (retired)

Past President

Bob spent his career working in natural resource management and conservation.  He is a wildlife biologist who has worked with both terrestrial and marine resource management issues from both the science and policy sides.  Bob served as the Regional Director for WDFW’s Puget Sound Region for over 20 years before retiring in 2017.   Bob served on the Board of the Skagit Watershed Council as well as the Executive Committee for the Wildlife Society.  He has enjoyed being involved in local youth groups as well from little league and youth soccer associations to Chief Seattle Council.  Bob is looking forward to engaging again in salmon recovery activities in the Skagit basin.

 

 

Kimberly Cauvel – Environmental journalist

Secretary

Kimberly is an environmental journalist whose work focuses on human-caused environmental challenges that affect the Pacific Northwest. She is currently a communications staff member of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, serving as the North Sound Information Officer.  She additionally produces the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s newsletter on a  monthly basis, and is a member of several writing focused organizations, such as the Northwest Science Writers Association, the National Association of Science Writers, and the Indigenous Journalists Association. She is proud to use her experience as a writer and lifelong Washingtonian to help educate others on the importance of recovering salmon. 

 

 

Rick Haley- Biologist 

Treasurer

Rick has a degree in fisheries from Oregon State University and has worked in a variety of capacities assessing salmon habitat and participating in ecotoxicology research.  Most recently, he served as Skagit County’s Water Quality Analyst for 17 years before retiring in 2019.  While with the County he coordinated Skagit County’s Marine Resources Committee and became very knowledgeable about Skagit salmon and the challenges associated with improving habitat.  Rick has served on the board of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance and is active in his community through serving on several citizen advisory boards.  Rick is a self-described fish and bird nerd and is excited to put his knowledge to work helping SFEG further salmon recovery work.

 

 

 

Steve RantenSteve Ranten- Forest Practices Coordinator, WA Dept. of Natural Resources (retired)

Steve was raised in Skagit County and thoroughly enjoys being in the forest, especially to go fishing. Steve has a degree in forestry and works with local landowners to help them understand forestry and riparian impacts. Steve was an active volunteer with Ducks Unlimited for 23 years and is looking forward to another way to share his knowledge of forestry and streams with the community.

 

 

 

 

 

Matt DesVoigne – Accountant/CPA

Matt currently works in the field of accounting and financial management, and is currently on the Sedro-Woolley planning commission. He enjoys bringing his expertise regarding finance and data analysis to the SFEG board.  He has previously volunteered for SFEG, and has given his time to a number of different organizations in a variety of roles, including a position on the Audit Committee of a Thrivent Chapter where he gained experience in non-profit auditing. He is particularly interested in using his position on the board to combat the effects of climate change in tandem with SFEG, and to review and work with Form 990.

 


Wayne Watne – Fisheries biologist

Wayne grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and was raised in a family with ties to logging, plywood mills, and commercial fishing. Wayne has worked in fisheries from Oregon to Alaska his entire career, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Watershed Management from OSU. Wayne was the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife biologist for the Lummi Nation and a Forest & Fish biologist for WDFW. He currently works as a fisheries consultant on salmon recovery efforts. Wayne has been involved with SFEG for twenty years and enjoys planting parties and teaching volunteers. He collects antique salmon lures. Wayne is involved in world missions in Africa, Mexico and northern British Columbia and has a fishing ministry where he hopes to help 10,000 children catch their first fish.

 

 

Austin Rose – Natural Resource Professional

Austin has been a Skagit resident for 15 years, and currently works with Whatcom County Public Works – Natural Resources as staff of the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee. In this position, Austin works with volunteers that work to protect and restore marine resources in the Puget Sound area through scientific monitoring, nearshore restoration projects, and community education. Additionally, she manages federally-funded grants and contracts for the Public Works department, engaging use of budget and deliverable management. In the past, she has also volunteered with the Skagit Stream Team and the Skagit Marine Resources Committee. Austin is looking forward to continuing to work to preserve and restore the Skagit Watershed as a member of the board.

 

 

Bill Hebner – Retired Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

From 1975 until 2013, Bill worked for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in the Enforcement Program, serving as a Wildlife Agent (Fish and Wildlife Officer), Detective, Captain and Deputy Chief. In addition to his law enforcement responsibilities with WDFW, he was also responsible for managing the human/wildlife conflict program within his geographic area of responsibility. From 2013 until 2020, he was employed by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians as their Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Captain, responsible for assuring compliance of Tribal members exercising their Treaty Rights to fish in their usual and accustomed fishing areas and hunting on open and unclaimed lands within their originally ceded areas. He is a hunter, fisherman, hiker, birder, boater, and most recently avid wildlife photographer.

 

 

Dr. Ken Raedeke – Retired University of Washington Professor

Following a 50-year-long career in the field of wildlife biology and natural resource conservation, Dr. Ken Raedeke knows that in his retirement he still has more to offer the field that he is so passionate about. Ken taught as a professor within the Wildlife Sciences Group at the University of Washington from 1975 until 2015, and is the owner of an environmental consulting firm. He has served on numerous advisory groups for different organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Board and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Game Management Advisory Committee, and served as a board member for the First Place School, a school for homeless children, from 1995 until 2000. Ken is an avid outdoorsman that is deeply passionate about the conservation and preservation of our natural resources, and believes that the Skagit River Basin is an area of great beauty that deserves our attention with regard to conservation.