The Yurok Fisheries Department has completed a major milestone in the restoration of the Klamath River ecosystem. Following the removal of dams along a 38-mile stretch of the river, the department’s Revegetation crew recently hand-sowed 11,500 pounds of native plant seeds between the former Iron Gate Dam and JC Boyle Reservoir. The seeds included a diverse mix of native grasses, herbs, and forbs that historically thrived in the area. As part of this ambitious restoration project, the crew will plant 21,000 white oak acorns and 108,000 native trees and shrubs in the coming months. Since the project began, the team has planted approximately 76,000 trees, shrubs, and grass plugs, 28,000 acorns, and 4,200 milkweed starts. Wildflowers, pine saplings, and baby oaks are already thriving in the post-dam environment.