… An estimated eight to ten species of lamprey are native to California (Auringer et al 2023), providing many ecological and cultural benefits. … And, like salmon, carcasses of anadromous species (such as the Pacific lamprey) shuttle marine nutrients to our freshwater rivers after completing upstream spawning migration. It is likely that all native species of lamprey in California are in decline, yet a dearth of information on their ecology and population status makes it difficult to know how to conserve them. This is especially true of the small and often forgotten river resident species like the endemic Kern brook lamprey pictured below. Indeed, lampreys are one of the least studied groups of fishes in California. Without these important ecosystem engineers and aquatic health indicators, we could miss processes with big roles in keeping our freshwater systems healthy and full of life.  And importantly, population declines of Pacific lamprey threaten Indigenous culture and food sovereignty for tribal communities.