Volunteers are the heart of our organization! We were founded by volunteers in 1990, working to promote wild salmon recovery by planting riparian zones and taking part in grassroots restoration in the Chimacum Valley. Today, people like you help us plant trees, count salmon, collect samples, teach kids, assist with events, increase public awareness and take on many other vital roles. Click below or contact us to learn more! We are so thankful for all you do.

Ways to Get Started:

Thank you for your interest and dedication!

*Volunteers under 18* Participants under the age of 18 and not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian must bring a completed Youth Permission Form in order to participate. In addition, participants under the age of 16 must also be accompanied by an adult (does not need to be a parent/guardian).

Volunteer Opportunities

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Salmon Spawner Surveys

NOSC offers the opportunities for volunteers to participate in both chum and coho spawner surveys annually. Spawner surveys volunteers monitor Chimacum Creek and record the number of redds (nesting locations), live/dead fish, and take scale samples from fish.

Chum surveys typically begin with a training day in August and run through October. Learn more about Chum in Chimacum Creek and spawner surveys here. Coho surveys begin with training in October and run through January. Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate at this time.

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Native Plant Nursery

Native tree plantings typically occur between December and March. Planting locations range from Chimacum to west of Sekiu. Each year provides new planting locations and species of native plants! Often these plantings occur on restoration sites after construction is all done to help inhibit the recruitment of noxious weeds. These are great events to bring friends and family members along to. All ages welcome!
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Tree Plantings

Native tree plantings typically occur between December and March. Planting locations range from Chimacum to west of Sekiu. Each year provides new planting locations and species of native plants! Often these plantings occur on restoration sites after construction is all done to help inhibit the recruitment of noxious weeds and to promote forest regeneration. These are great events to bring friends and family members to. Sign up for a volunteer planting by visiting of Upcoming Events page!
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Environmental Educator

Do you like getting outside and working with kids? Join us for one of our Environmental Education programs. Our programs focus on middle school education, and allow students to work toward creating their own restoration-based project. Volunteers help students make connections and observations at field sites throughout our region. You can also volunteer with us in the classroom!
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Field Technician

Want to help us with fieldwork and site monitoring? Throughout the year, we have sporadic monitoring projects for which we need help. Learn skills like how to use a laser level and conduct culvert assessments. Walk streams and through deep wooded ravines. Contact us to learn more!