This document discusses a twinning partnership program between watershed groups in the Siuslaw Basin of Oregon and regions of the Russian Far East aimed at salmon habitat restoration and community engagement. It provides an overview of exchanges between 2004-2012, including student blog projects, workshops on planning and restoration, and establishing public salmon councils in Russia. It outlines successes of the program as well as challenges such as language/cultural barriers, government cooperation, and funding. The document advises on carefully selecting twinning partners by considering similarities/differences in needs, assets, and levels of experience.

1. “Our TWINNING”
SIUSLAW BASIN & the
RUSSIAN FAR EAST

2. Who We Are
• Siuslaw Watershed Council
• Siuslaw Soil & Water Conservation District
• Siuslaw National Forest
• Siuslaw Institute
• With additional partners for specific Projects:
– Ecotrust
– OWEB

4. Winners & Twinners Exchanges –
2004 RiverPrize
• Finalists to Brisbane (4) - 2003
• Winners to Brisbane (4) - 2004
• Partnership with Wild Salmon Center - 2005
• First trip to Sakhalin, Russia (3) - 2005
• First Exchange, Sakhalin to Oregon (5) - 2005
• USFS Technical Assistance (3), Sakhalin - 2006
• Sakhalin Salmon Initiative (3) - 2006

5. “Twinning” Exchange visits (cont.)
• Oregon educators (3) to Sakhalin schools - 2007
• Sakhalin administrators (8) to Oregon - 2008
• Siuslaw Institute (1) to Sakhalin Councils - 2008
• Summer Youth Camp near Portland - 2009
• Russian Far East Councils to Oregon (8) - 2011
• Siuslaw Institute (1) to Kamchatka - 2012

14. Successes for our “Twinning”
• Many good people-to-people connections
• Student Blog “Smolt” (both languages)
• Workshops: planning and restoration practices
• Introduced Watershed Councils
(Conference and Workshops)
• Expanded from Sakhalin to more of Russian Far East
• 8 Public Salmon Councils have been formed
• Plans for Exchange of Indigenous representatives

19. Funding
• Trust for Mutual Understanding
• Wild Salmon Center
• US Forest Service International Programs
• International Riverfoundation
• Siuslaw Basin Partnership (RiverPrize)

20. Challenges for Twinners
• Language and Culture
• Government Structure and Cooperation
• Continuity – of contacts and processes
• Unexpected changes in people or permissions
• Indigenous peoples
• Corruption
• Expectations of your twinning partner ($, etc.)
• Logistics & Access – visas, etc.
• Who’s in charge?
• What are we getting in return?

21. Our Selection Process
• Assets and Expertise:
Salmon Habitat Restoration
Innovative Partnerships
Community/Schools Involvement
• Where can we help and get assistance?
Somewhere in the North Pacific
Wild Salmon Center as partner

22. Your Selection Process
• Similarities of needs and assets
• Differences of levels of experience
• Language and Culture (assets and drawbacks)
• What will we gain from this?
• Who will we be able to call on for help?
• How long will this take?
• What kinds and sources of funding?
• The UNKNOWN

23. Willamette Initiative Twin?
Selection process (sample)
• Example: Nile River
Similarities: Differences:
Flows North No salmon
Urban and Agricultural Language & Culture
“Political Stability” Climate
No ocean coastline Pollutants
History of major flooding Water Temperature
• Questions of funding support, acquisition and co-sponsors
• Long-term (10 years+) or short-term agreements
• Focus – academia, agencies, communities, governance, all or some …

24. Help is Available
• International Riverfoundation
• Other “Twinners”
• IRF Ambassadors –
Amos Brandeis – 2003 Winners
amos-br@inter.net.il
http://www.restorationplanning.com
Johnny Sundstrom – 2004 Winners
siwash@pioneer.net
http://www.siuslawinstitute.org
(541)964-5901