Public invited to Feb. 25, March 3 events in two-part Chehalis Basin Film Festival in Hoquiam and Centralia 

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Photo by WDFW

Films celebrate habitat restoration, species protection in the Chehalis River basin 

OLYMPIA – Chehalis Basin community members are invited to a two-part film festival, Feb. 25 and March 3, highlighting collaboration, habitat restoration, species protection, and climate resilience in the Chehalis River basin. 

The free events will feature localized showings of films that highlight the basin’s vibrant aquatic wildlife, salmon recovery efforts, fish and wildlife conservation, habitat restoration projects, and the value of collaboration in the Chehalis River basin. Films will be coupled with panel discussions with local project participants highlighted in the films and experts on beavers, salmon, and frogs. 

“Community has always been at the heart of the Chehalis Basin,” said Celina Abercrombie, Chehalis Basin Strategy manager at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “This film festival is a chance for us all to celebrate our progress together for the future of the Chehalis Basin for fish, wildlife, and people.”  

"We are inviting folks to get out on the town with their friends and watch some films,” said Kirsten Harma, Watershed Coordinator with the Chehalis Basin Lead Entity. “We hope they will enjoy the chance to see some images of spring and nature on these cold winter days."  

The 3 to 5 p.m. event on Saturday, Feb. 25 will be at the 7th Street Theatre, 313 7th Street in Hoquiam while the 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. event on Friday, March 3 will be at the Transalta Commons at Centralia College, located at 600 Centralia College Boulevard in Centralia. More information is available on WDFW’s website. 

Event partners include the Chehalis Basin Lead Entity, Coast Salmon Partnership, Grays Harbor Conservation District, Grays Harbor Stream Team, and WDFW. 

The 2,700 square-mile Chehalis Basin in southwest Washington is one of the state's only major river drainage systems with no salmon species listed as threatened or endangered. However, experts studying the basin report that some salmon runs have declined as much as 80% due to a combination of lost and damaged habitat, changing climate conditions, and development. 

Scientists, researchers, and technical specialists report that if no action is taken in the basin, Chehalis River spring Chinook salmon could be lost entirely in 60 years. WDFW and a network of salmon recovery partners continue to work together to advance habitat protection and restoration in support of sustainable salmon stocks. 
The Chehalis Basin Lead Entity is a community group that strives to create healthy salmon habitat through voluntary on the ground restoration and protection projects, and through community education and involvement.

Grays Harbor Conservation District works with the Grays Harbor County community to implement voluntary, incentive based natural resource conservation practices. Many of these practices involve farm planning, river restoration, nutrient management, forest management, and culvert assessment/replacement.      

The Grays Harbor Stream Team is a coalition of students, educators, community volunteers, local agencies, and non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection and restoration of streams that flow through Grays Harbor County.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.