Salmon Methow Recovery

What Salmon Methow Recovery does

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation, doing business as Methow Salmon, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Twisp, Washington. It designs and implements habitat restoration projects for ESA-listed Spring Chinook, Summer Steelhead, and Bull Trout across the Methow River watershed, with core technical capabilities spanning engineered logjam installation, floodplain and side-channel reconnection, fish passage barrier removal, irrigation diversion modification, riparian planting, and beaver-based restoration through the Methow Beaver Project. The organization pairs implementation with a Research & Monitoring program covering water quality, fish population, and riparian vegetation effectiveness monitoring, and operates a K-12 Education & Outreach program (Salmon In & Out of the Classroom, Watershed Watchers) plus a Salmon & Art community engagement initiative.

The organization employs 15+ staff including four project managers, an Aquatic Ecologist and Monitoring Program Coordinator, a Beaver Project Director, a Water Quality Field Coordinator, and a Grant Compliance Lead, working alongside a board that includes the founder/Executive Director Chris Johnson. Its work is implemented through voluntary landowner agreements on private riverfront property, direct coordination with public landowners (WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Okanogan County, Town of Twisp), and engineering partners such as Anchor QEA. Completed and active restoration projects include Sugar Reach Channels Reconnection (5-mile stretch), Barkley Bear, Upper Beaver Creek, Eagle Rocks, Twisp River Ponds, and numerous other sites across the Methow and Twisp river systems.

Revenue derives entirely from two streams: government grants and individual/corporate donations. Key institutional funders include the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (which awarded $4.8M in December 2022), Bonneville Power Administration, Bureau of Reclamation, WA Department of Ecology, WA Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, three PUD Habitat Conservation Plan Tributary Committees, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and the Okanogan Conservation District. The organization does not sell products or services; its "customers" in the traditional sense are landowners, schools, and government agencies who receive restoration services, education programming, or public trail access rather than paying for them.

Name

Salmon Methow Recovery

Legal name

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation

Website

https://www.methowsalmon.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation is a Twisp, Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that designs and implements salmon habitat restoration projects, scientific monitoring, and K-12 education programs for ESA-listed species in the Methow Valley, funded by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Habitat Restoration Services

akta.pro primary industry

Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments (EUAHAHAB), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Salmon habitat restoration
• Riparian restoration services
• Floodplain reconnection
• Fish passage improvement
• Watershed conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Twisp

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Methow Salmon relies entirely on donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made by mailing checks or online via credit card through PayPal. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Grant Funding: The organization receives grants from various government agencies and foundations including Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power Administration, WA Department of Ecology, and others. In December 2022, received a $4.8 million grant for construction of four salmon habitat projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation designs and implements riverine habitat restoration projects on private and public lands in the Methow watershed, including floodplain and side-channel reconnection, engineered logjam installation, fish passage barrier removal (culvert replacement and irrigation diversion fish-screening), riparian planting, and beaver-based restoration. The organization also conducts scientific monitoring of fish populations, water quality, and vegetation; delivers K-12 and community education programs; and produces reach assessments and field guides that support ESA-listed species (Spring Chinook, Summer Steelhead, Bull Trout) recovery.

Product overview

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of salmon habitat restoration and recovery programs in the Methow Valley. The core offerings include Habitat Restoration Services (riparian planting, floodplain reconnection, engineered logjams, fish passage barrier removal), a Research & Monitoring Program (water quality, bull trout, lamprey, vegetation monitoring), and Education & Outreach Programs (classroom programs, Watershed Watchers, publications). Supporting programs include the Methow Beaver Project (beaver coexistence), Salmon & Art Program, and Public Trail Access Sites. Key habitat restoration projects include Sugar Reach Channels Reconnection Project, Barkley Bear Project, Upper Beaver Creek Project, and Eagle Rocks Habitat Enhancement Project. The organization provides educational publications and reach assessments as resources for the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Habitat Restoration Services Comprehensive river habitat restoration including riparian planting, floodplain reconnection, engineered logjams, fish passage barrier removal, and irrigation diversion improvements for salmon recovery on private and public lands in the Methow watershed.
• Research & Monitoring Program Scientific monitoring of fish populations and habitat conditions including project effectiveness monitoring, water quality monitoring (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity), bull trout population monitoring with eDNA sampling, riparian vegetation monitoring, spawning surveys, snorkel surveys, and Pacific lamprey monitoring.
• Education & Outreach Programs Youth and adult education programs including Salmon In & Out of Classroom (grade 6), Watershed Watchers (K-12), River's Reach Podcast, and community engagement in salmon recovery efforts.
• Methow Beaver Project Collaboration promoting beaver coexistence and using beaver activity as a restoration tool to enhance ecosystem resiliency, wildfire recovery, human communities, and salmon habitat, including beaver translocation and Beaver Dam Analog installation.
• Salmon & Art Program Community arts collaboration with Methow Arts featuring sculptures, block prints, calendars, interpretive signs, and the Methow River Collaborative to raise awareness of salmon recovery.
• Public Trail Access Sites Public access trails at restoration sites including Twisp Ponds, Cottonwood Trail (WDFW), and Sa Teekh Wa Trail, offering educational signage and outdoor classroom experiences.
• Educational Publications (Field Guides) Field guides including Methow State of the Riparian, Methow State of the Salmon, Methow River Fish Guide, Methow River Habitat Restoration Guide, and Pacific Lamprey Restoration Guide.
• Reach Assessments Stream-specific scientific assessments for ESA-listed species recovery including Winthrop, Middle Methow, Lower Twisp, Chewuch, Lower Methow, and other tributary reach assessments.
• Donation/Support Program 501(c)(3) nonprofit donation acceptance via check or online credit card (PayPal) to support salmon habitat projects and education programs.
• Sugar Reach Channels Reconnection Project Multi-year floodplain and side channel reconnection project spanning 5 miles of Methow River north of Twisp, with subprojects at WDFW Floodplain, Eagle Rocks, Sugar Right and Sugar Left sites.
• Upper Beaver Creek Project Fire recovery project addressing fish passage at the Batie irrigation diversion including new diversion, fish screen, headworks, and stream realignment with floodplain reconnection.
• Barkley Bear Project Habitat improvement project on Methow River between Twisp and Winthrop near Bear Creek, creating side channel habitat, removing an irrigation diversion, and placing engineered logjams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Post-project snorkel surveys show increased use by salmonids at restoration sites
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• WA Department of EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and regulatory partner for salmon habitat restoration projects. Provides funding through programs including Floodplain by Design.
• WA State Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on projects on WDFW property, fish passage improvements, and bull trout population monitoring. Manages public lands including Cottonwood Trail.
• Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coordination body for salmon recovery in the Upper Columbia. Maintains online archive of reach assessments and coordinates recovery efforts.
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville ReservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in salmon recovery efforts. Collaborates on monitoring and restoration activities in the Methow watershed.
• Bureau of ReclamationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing funding and technical support for project design and construction, including fish passage improvements at irrigation diversions.
• Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Pacific lamprey restoration and monitoring. Collaborates on adult lamprey translocation efforts.
• Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional fisheries enhancement organization supporting salmon recovery projects in the Columbia River basin.
• Northern Wasco County PUD /McNary FisheriessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting fisheries enhancement efforts in the region.
• Trout Unlimited - Washington Water ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coldwater conservation organization providing technical expertise and support for water and habitat restoration.
• WA State Department of Natural ResourcessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerControls bed lands along rivers where restoration projects are implemented. Provides funding for debris removal from river.
• US Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for bull trout population monitoring and habitat restoration coordination.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for monitoring in high-elevation wilderness areas and coordination on watershed restoration.
• Methow ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization collaborating on Salmon & Art projects including sculptures, wayfinding signs, and student calendar. Leads Methow River Collaborative.
• Methow ConservancysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation organization working on watershed protection and land stewardship in the Methow Valley.
• Okanogan CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner on levee modification projects, property access, and coordinated restoration planning.
• Okanogan Conservation DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides technical and funding support for restoration projects through conservation district programs.
• Town of TwispcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner on property exchange for Twisp River Ponds, trail access, and public facilities.
• Town of WinthropsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner for trail access and community engagement in salmon recovery efforts.
• Methow Watershed CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coordinating body for watershed protection and restoration efforts in the Methow.
• Methow Restoration CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coordination body for restoration activities and priorities in the Methow watershed.
• Anchor QEAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEngineering firm that developed project designs in coordination with Methow Salmon, including Barkley Bear Project.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater conservation nonprofit with an active Washington Water Project that does habitat restoration, fish passage, and landowner partnership work across the Pacific Northwest. Explicitly listed as a supporting partner of Methow Salmon; directly comparable mission and operating model.
• Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group: Regional fisheries enhancement nonprofit supporting salmon recovery in the Columbia River basin. Listed as a partner; operates a near-identical model of grant-funded habitat restoration, monitoring, and community engagement in the same Columbia Basin.
• Methow Conservancy: Local land-conservation nonprofit working on watershed protection and stewardship in the Methow Valley. Listed as a partner; directly comparable nonprofit structure, geography, and constituency.
• Wild Fish Conservancy: Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on wild salmon and steelhead conservation through habitat protection, science, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable mission around wild fish recovery and habitat-based restoration in PNW watersheds.
• Pacific Rivers Council: Pacific Northwest nonprofit advocating for river and watershed protection, with science-driven program work on salmon habitat. Comparable operating model as a mission-driven PNW river conservation nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• American Rivers: National river conservation nonprofit that works on river protection, restoration, and policy across the U.S. Larger and broader portfolio than Methow Salmon but comparable mission around riverine habitat recovery.
• The Nature Conservancy: Large global conservation nonprofit with significant Pacific Northwest salmon/watershed programs (including floodplain reconnection and forest restoration). Operates at much greater scale but shares the ecological restoration mission.
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Major funder and convener of fish and wildlife habitat restoration projects nationwide, including salmon recovery in the Columbia Basin. Acts partly as a peer (project implementer) and partly as a funding intermediary relevant to Methow Salmon's grant strategy.

Regional players

• Skagit River Systems Cooperative: Tribally chartered cooperative in Washington State that restores wild salmon habitat on the Skagit River system. Closely comparable model — community-based, science-driven, salmon-focused habitat restoration — but operates in a different watershed.

Others

• Okanogan Conservation District: Local conservation district providing technical and funding support for restoration projects in Okanogan County, the same county Methow Salmon operates in. Listed as a partner; serves an enabling/funder role rather than as a direct implementation competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/methow-salmon-recovery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Salmon Methow Recovery