Step into the spotlight with Southern steelhead! These iconic fish are making headlines from Politico to the LA Times, but what’s behind the buzz? Dive into the latest episode of the Fish Water People podcast, where Dr. Sandra Jacobson, CalTrout’s South Coast and Sierra Headwaters Regional Director, and Redgie Collins, CalTrout’s Legal and Policy Director, explore the landmark decision to list Southern steelhead as endangered under California’s Endangered Species Act.

Journey from CalTrout’s role in spearheading the petition to the unanimous Fish and Game Commission vote, unraveling the critical role of science, policy, and community support in securing protections for these iconic fish. Together, we’ll uncover the decision’s significance, its impact on California’s waterways, and the challenges posed by fish passage barriers. Our collective efforts in habitat restoration, dam removal, and legislative action culminated in this groundbreaking milestone. Join us in celebrating this triumph and charting the path forward for conservation efforts, while uncovering fun Southern steelhead facts along the way! Hint: steelhead are one of the only living organisms to change their gene expression to tolerate both salt water and freshwater environments!