The Tiburon Salmon Institute and the San Francisco Tyee Club invite you to the SF Tyee Salmon pen Dedication Ceremony featuring State Assemblyman, Jared Huffman, and the Director of Fish and Game, Don Koch.

The dedication takes place at noon on Saturday the 27th  at the salmon rearing pens located at the Romberg Tiburon Center.

Note from the Tiburon Salmon Institue Executive Director Brooke Halsey:

"Your organization helped us out tremendously this year.  It is amazing what money and timing can do.  It was just the right time for us to receive your generous check."

CIFFI sends a check for $500 to the "Kids Outdoor Sports Camp" which started on June 15th.

Judy Oswald, co-founder ofthe program, said they were filling 130 tackle boxes and purchasing 10 rods and reels for replacement of those that lasted almost 6 years and couldnt make another day.

This program will receive continued support from CIFFI.

The California Inland Fisheries Foundation, Inc. (CIFFI) is proud to be a major sponsor of the YOUTH OUTDOOR SPORTS FAIR (YOSF). The fair is hosted by Western Outdoor News (WON) in conjunction with the International Sportsman’s Exhibition (ISE) shows held each January in San Mateo and Sacramento. The YOSF is WON’s concept of how to get more youngsters and adults involved in the outdoors by providing a free venue where nothing is for sale, there are no sale pitches, and where children 12 and under can experience a variety of hands-on, interactive outdoor activities— especially related to hunting and fishing.

In addition to CIFFI, major sponsors of the YOSF include Wilderness Unlimited fishing lake, National Rifle Association air gun range, Bowhunter's Educational Foundation archery range, California Waterfowl Association, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Western Outdoor News also arranges with sponsors to provide cash and product to defray expenses and provide tangible outdoor items for every youngster who attends the show. In total, outdoor gear valued in excess of $30,000 is given away during the fairs.

Attendance at the YOSF has grown from 1,500 at the initial fair in 1993 to well over 30,000 at this past year’s fairs. The positive outdoor experience the youngsters enjoy is immediately evident to anyone who steps into the Youth Outdoor Sports Fair.

CIFFI is proud to provide the major funding to the "Kids Catch a Smile Day" program. The Sacramento event (open to a maximum of 60 children aged 5-17) is held at the Aerojet complex in Rancho Cordova the Saturday after Mother's Day in May. It is at the former corporate headquarters where there are running streams, cement walkways and flat grass, three large ponds where the trout are planted, and a cement overhang where the luncheon is staged. All around the ponds are games and activities.
Visit Kids Catch a Smile Day website for more details.

 
California Inland Fisheries Foundation Inc. (CIFFI) continues its mission to assure the future of California's fisheries through the education of our youth.

During the December 2001 general meeting, Department of Fish and Game’s Senior Fisheries Biologist Bruce Lee approached CIFFI asking for assistance in obtaining a water chiller for the Livermore High School Forestry/Aqua Culture class.  He introduced Mr. Kirkendall, teacher of the class, and seven of his students and explained the classes’ objective.  Mr. Kirkendall stated that the class already had two five hundred gallon tanks that were used last year for a warm water species program. He requested CIFFIs assistance in obtaining the necessary water chiller and pump in order for the class to have a cold water species program. Dennis Lee spoke very highly of the program and stated that DFG has committed to providing the fish.

The board of directors responded to this worthwhile project in a pro-active manner.  Director Tom Jones approached a manufacture of the water chiller educating them on the nature of CIFFI and this high school project.  The manufacture responded by providing the necessary equipment at a reduced cost.  Under the agreement, CIFFI will retain ownership of the equipment and it will be on loan to the school for as long as it was needed.

On January 28, 2002, CIFFI Pres. Rod Browning, Vice Pres. Frank San Marco, Board Members Clarence Romine and Chuck Dunham, and other CIFFI members, presented the water chiller to the class and its teacher, Mr. Kirkendall.  The California Dept of Fish and Game supplied a load of trout stock.  Assisted and guided by the DFG personnel, the students measured, tagged and recorded each fish prior to placing them into the tanks to monitor growth rates as the program progresses.

Eventually the class will attempt to raise Kokanee and King Salmon fingerlings in the chilled tanks to a much larger size than can in done in warmer water. These future studies would assist the Fish and Game biologists in gathering valuable insight as to the feasibility of larger-scale chilled Kokanee/King Salmon rearing.

"We were impressed by the interest and enthusiasm of these students." said Frank San Marco, Vice President of CIFFI.  “Many of these students are planning to further their education in wildlife programs at such colleges as Humboldt State and UC Davis.”

The Board of Directors wishes to thank all members and sponsors for supporting this organization in it fundraising activities.  Projects like this could not exist without you!

Photos of project.

2008 Event

Kid's Fishin' and Grinnin' is a fishing and family fun event hosted by the Stockton Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association with major sponsorship from the California Inland Fisheries Foundation Inc. designed for students enrolled in special education within San Joaquin County. As a result, participants range from 3 to 22 years in age with a wide variety of handicapping conditions. During the 2008 event held on May 3rd, we were able to accommodate over 40 disabled youth. All participants fished for rainbow trout in a specially designed pond provided by Wilderness Unlimited with the trout provided by the Department of Fish and Game and received a special T-shirt and tote bag loaded with goodies from area agencies. The 2009 event is scheduled for May 2nd at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club in Stockton.