The Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, a non-profit organization that aims to increase salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest, is accepting applications for a program designed to train future community leaders who are aware, educated, and active stewards and advocates for their watersheds and the greater Puget Sound.

The Citizen Action Training School, or CATS, includes 12 weeks of class and field instruction on local watershed and Puget Sound ecology, as well as guidance about civic engagement around natural resources issues. Five CATS sessions are being offered free of charge to community members from all around the Sound over the next two years. Participants will receive 50 hours of training over three months in the form of weekday evening classes and a few Saturday field sessions. Following this comprehensive training, participants will give back by volunteering at least 50 hours to plan and complete a service project in their community.

The next CATS program session will begin in March. Applications are available online here and due by Fri., Feb. 28.

Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group is one of 14 Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in the state of Washington working to increase salmon populations by focusing on habitat restoration, creation, and protection by working cooperatively with both private and public landowners and others in the community.

More information is available online at pugetsoundcats.org.