Nevada City, CA — The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is pleased to announce its 2025 Public Salmon Expeditions, led by our Education Department in partnership with H2O Adventures. Designed for the whole family, these expeditions offer a unique blend of recreation, education, and connection to the river’s salmon migration and watershed health. These Public Salmon Expeditions are truly meant for families — whether it’s parents, grandparents, kids, or neighbors — to experience the river together, learn about salmon life cycles, and better understand how human activity has impacted the watershed.
On November 2nd and November 8th , from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, SYRCL staff and experienced guides will lead raft trips on the lower Yuba River so participants (age 4 and up) can witness Chinook salmon spawning and explore river ecology in a hands-on way. These family-friendly trips mirror the structure of our school field expeditions and include learning stops, interpretive commentary, and exploration of SYRCL’s restoration sites.
SYRCL’s school Salmon Expeditions are central to our Education Program, offering experiential science learning beyond the classroom. Through rafting, river biology, habitat restoration, history, and geological context, SYRCL brings students into a living classroom on the water.
“Our goal is to help people of all ages see themselves as part of the watershed ecosystem,” says Monique Streit, SYRCL’s Education Director. “When folks come together, observe salmon, and see restoration in action, that connection deepens. That’s where real stewardship begins.”
Public Salmon Expedition Registration & Logistics
ALL ARE WELCOME but Spaces are limited, so registration is required.
Schedule and registration details are available at YubaRiver.org
Participants should bring water, snacks or lunch, sun protection, and clothing suitable for river conditions.
Guided by professional rafting teams, safety instruction and gear are provided.
Chinook salmon populations throughout California are in steep decline due to habitat loss, warming water temperatures, and barriers to migration caused by dams and diversions. There was a time when the Yuba was teeming with salmon, but, nowadays, salmon returns have dropped dramatically, threatening not only the species itself but also the broader ecosystems and communities that depend on them. The Yuba River remains one of the last strongholds for these keystone species, making education and conservation efforts like SYRCL’s Salmon Expeditions more important than ever.
On November 2nd or November 8th, SYRCL invites all community members to come out, get wet, and build a special connection to the Yuba River and the salmon that live there. Experience the wonder of salmon migration, the science underneath, and the urgency of protecting one of California’s most treasured species.
For more information and to register, please visit YubaRiver.org or contact SYRCL’s Education Director, Monique Streit, at monique@yubariver.org.