Allow nature to run its course

 

 

River herring may be small, but their yearly spawning migration has a huge impact on coastal ecosystems and communities along the Northeast coast. Every spring, adult river herring travel inland from the sea in schools ten thousand strong, navigating rivers and climbing man-made fish ladders to spawn in freshwater streams and lakes. Over time, these silvery fish have become interwoven in the traditions of communities along their path. 

Damariscotta Mills in Maine is one such place. With the support of NFWF, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the people of Damariscotta Mills have restored their 200-year-old fish ladder, resulting in a massive increase in the number of herring making it upstream.