Science on Tap

Science on Tap is held on the fourth Wednesday at 6pm, January through May, September & October at the Trinity County Brewing Company. Enjoy drinks, savor delicious food, and immerse yourself in captivating local science in the company of friends.

Proudly sponsored by the Trinity River Restoration Program and hosted by the Trinity County Resource Conservation District, Science on Tap is an engaging educational series featuring presentations by local scientists and natural resource professionals on scientific topics relevant to Trinity County.

Science on the River

Science on the River is typically held in the summer months on the fourth Wednesday at various locations along the Trinity River. Enjoy the scenery and science at locations like the Indian Creek Lodge or the Lewiston Hotel and Dance Hall.

Science on Tap

6pm at the Trinity County Brewing Co. – 301 Main St, Weaverville, CA 96093

• January 22 – Mike Belchik Yurok Tribe, “Klamath Dam Removal Becomes Reality:  What Happened and What’s Next?“
• February 26 – Todd Buxton, TRRP, “Fine Sediment in the Trinity River”
• March 26 – Zac Reinstein, Yurok Tribe, “Coho Salmon and remote stream incubation on Trinity River Tributaries”
• April 23 – Chad Martel, Hoopa Valley Tribal Fisheries, “Juvenile Salmonids Outmigration Study”
• May 28 – Eli Asarian, Riverbend Sciences, “Beavers in the Klamath Basin”

Science on the River

6pm at Indian Creek Lodge – CA 299, Douglas City, CA 96024 

• August 27 – Ann Willis, American Rivers

Darren Mierau North Coast Regional Director, California Trout

Topic: Key lessons from the Klamath-Trinity program for Eel River dam removal and basin wide recovery

Darren’s presentation highlights key lessons from restoration efforts in the Klamath-Trinity basin that are being applied to the Eel River, including dam decommissioning strategies, restoration planning, community engagement, and funding. As North Coast Director, Darren oversees CalTrout’s mission to ensure healthy waters and resilient wild fish populations through a four-pillar approach: science, restoration, community engagement, and advocacy. He holds degrees in biology from Claremont McKenna College and Humboldt State University.

Eric Peterson, Ph.D. Science Coordinator – US Bureau of Reclamation – Trinity River Restoration Program

Topic: Environmental Flows and the Factors that Limit the Chinook Salmon Life Cycle

Before constructing the Trinity and Lewiston Dams, Chinook Salmon thrived in the Trinity River. However, changes to the river’s flow have had a lasting impact on the species. While juvenile salmon numbers have improved, adult returns remain low, prompting ongoing efforts to understand and address these challenges. Eric’s presentation will delve into the factors influencing the salmon life cycle and discuss how flow management might help. Eric earned a B.S. in biology and botany from Humboldt State University in 1995 and a Ph.D. in plant ecology from Oregon State University in 2000.

Bridger Cohan Riparian Restoration Specialist, Watershed Research and Training Center

Josh Smith Watershed Stewardship Program Director, Watershed Research and Training Center

Topic: Trinity Meadows: Lost and Found

Josh Smith and Bridger Cohan from the Watershed Research and Training Center shared their work on meadow inventory and assessment as part of the Klamath Meadows Partnership, along with opportunities for enhancing and restoring these vital habitats.

They will also highlight the Corral Gulch Project, which aims to restore nearly 24 acres of wet meadow in the Indian Valley Creek watershed near Hayfork using both heavy machinery and ‘low-tech’ hand work.

Todd Buxton, Ph.D. Hydrologist and Fish Biologist with the Bureau of Reclamation – Trinity River Restoration Program

Topic: Stratification of water temperatures in pools on the Trinity River

Dr. Todd Buxton is a Hydrologist and Fish Biologist who is conducting a thermal stratification study in river pools above and below Trinity Dam on the Trinity River. Pool stratification is an important ecological function of natural river systems and Todd’s findings show that pools in the Trinity River below Lewiston Dam are unable to stratify and provide critical habitat for salmonids. Todd will discuss why the habitat is important for both life stages of salmon as well as other interesting findings from the study.

Derek Rupert Fish Biologist with the Bureau of Reclamation – Northern California Area Office

Topic: Lower Clear Creek Restoration – A Review of Habitat Restoration Efforts Occurring Over the Past 30 Years

Derek led us through the history and future of stream restoration on Lower Clear Creek, a tributary to the Sacramento River. Derek is a fish biologist with a Master of Science degree in biology from Western Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries biology from Mansfield University of PA.  His presentation explored the unique characteristics of the Clear Creek watershed, environmental conditions, water management strategies, and fish population details downstream of Whiskeytown Dam. 

Sarah Gomes Western Science Coordinator for Monarch Joint Venture

Topic: Monarch Monitoring: How You Can Make a Difference

In this presentation, we followed Sarah through the magnificent migration of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) across California. We delved into the intricacies of the monarch life cycle and migration, exploring the challenges of western monarch conservation and how community science programs like the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP) and Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) play a crucial role in gathering valuable data for conservation efforts. Learn how you can contribute to monarch conservation efforts with just one plant and one observation!

Ken DeCamp Naturalist, Photographer and Author

Topic: Klamath Mountain Wildflowers

Ken, a renowned photographer and author, discussed the Klamath regions diverse flora, including rare wildflowers. With a lifetime spent in the Trinity Alps and its surroundings, Ken truly has a passion for backpacking and photography. He holds a geography degree from UC Davis, a Master’s in Fluvial Geomorphology, and additional qualifications in Spatial Analysis from Harvard, along with Fire Weather studies in Montana. Post-retirement from a 38-year Forest Service career in Fire Management and Public Relations, Ken authored Field Guide to the Trinity Alps and Surrounding Areas and is now preparing its third edition.

Seth Naman Fisheries Biologist, National Marine Fisheries Service

Topic: The Importance of Natural Flows To Trinity River Salmon and Steelhead Populations.

Seth earned a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University and a Master of Science in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University. After positions with Idaho Fish and Game, the National Park Service, and the Yurok Tribe, he began working for the National Marine Fisheries Service. With over 15 years of dedicated service, including collaborations with TRRP work groups and the Trinity River Hatchery technical team, Naman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His presentation will highlight the critical importance of maintaining natural flow regimes for the health of Trinity River salmon and steelhead populations.

Aaron Martin Fisheries Biologist, Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department

Topic: Oregon Gulch – Freeing the River and Embracing Change

As the technical field manager and habitat specialist for the Yurok Tribe, Aaron Martin has made a notable impact on habitat restoration. His role includes innovative design planning and project implementation, which seek to address challenges, enhance aquatic habitats, and increase biodiversity. Martin, with over 20 years of service in the Trinity and Klamath Basin aims to shed light on the complexities of river restoration and the necessity of adaptive approaches to river ecosystem conservation through a recent restoration project on the Trinity River.

Max Ramos Restoration Engineer, Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department

Topic: Modeling the Reestablishment of Coho Salmon in Klamath River Tributaries after Dam Removal

Max brings his expertise in fisheries issues and river restoration to river ecosystem recovery in the Klamath Basin to Science on Tap where he will discuss the potential for Coho Salmon reestablishment in the Klamath River after dam removal, which is slotted for completion later this year. With a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Cal Poly and an M.S. in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University, his focus is on sustainable management and conservation in a changing climate.