River otters in Arcata Marsh are hunting ducks, not just fish

Meet the engineer turned cattle rancher, now producing sturgeon and caviar in Oregon

Sturgeon in a tank at the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company at Fort Klamath, Oregon. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c156c45/2147483647/strip/false/crop/887x591+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2F4d%2Fefc941e04ea6aa53f1d40bec7a1d%2Fsturgeon-in-tank-credit-oregonroyalstrugeoncompany.jpg] Sturgeon in a tank at the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company at Fort Klamath, Oregon.(Darryl Goodson ) Note: This story originally aired on March 26, 2026. In Fort Klamath, Oregon, Darryl Goodson has applied decades of high-level engineering experience to an unexpected field: sturgeon farming After a career building nuclear power plants and infrastructure for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Goodson now operates the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company [https://www.oregonroyalsturgeoncompany.com/], the state's only permitted sturgeon production facility in the state. Goodson, a civil engineer with degrees from Fresno State and Stanford, spent years moving between large-scale industrial projects. "You just go where the next interesting project might be," Goodson said. In 2012, he settled on 180 acres near Crater Lake National Park. The property included a dormant $5 million salmon hatchery that had been unused since 1991. Goodson initially considered converting the site into an organic chicken farm but ultimately chose to revive the hatchery. In 2012, that path led him to settle on 180 acres near Crater Lake National Park. The property happened to house a dormant, $5 million salmon hatchery that had sat unused since 1991. While he initially considered converting the facility into an organic chicken farm, he eventually decided to leverage his engineering background to revive the aquatic infrastructure for something far more ancient. His entry into sturgeon farming came through an unusual trade. While raising Wagyu cattle, Goodson acquired his first fish stock from a neighboring producer. "I bartered half of one of my Wagyu cows for my first set of sturgeon," he said. The trade netted him 3,000 sturgeon fry. Today, his cattle and fish operations are symbiotic — fish waste fertilizes pastureland. Goodson expanded the hatchery by adapting compact designs to support up to 25,000 pounds of fish. To improve quality, he uses a "cold water finish," circulating 43-degree well water to replicate natural snow melt conditions. Goodson scaled the operation by copying and "factoring up" compact hatchery designs to support 25,000 pounds of fish. To ensure world-class quality, he utilizes a "cold water finish" using 43-degree well water to mimic natural snow runoff. He said the process firms the meat and eliminates aftertastes. While the operation has largely focused on sturgeon meat, Goodson recently began harvesting caviar. His first batches are now appearing in Portland restaurants. GUEST * Darryl Goodson, owner, Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company [https://www.oregonroyalsturgeoncompany.com/]

How a historic hatchery became a museum at the base of Mount Shasta

Visitors play on the 1915 fire truck used to put out a fire that raced through the town. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/28b96c2/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3940x2818+0+0/resize/738x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb0%2Fc9%2F2732dbbf45ec81dfafe4625ef154%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-3.jpeg]Visitors play on the 1915 fire truck used to put out a fire that raced through the town. (Jean Nels ) Located at the base of Mount Shasta in Northern California, the Mount Shasta Sisson Museum [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/] preserves the region’s history through hands-on exhibits and a building with its own past. The museum is housed in a former fish hatchery built between 1905 and 1910. Community members saved the structure from demolition in 1979, recognizing its value in a region with few remaining historic buildings. A child plays in the lava tube cave exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2cf54aa/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2736x3648+0+0/resize/396x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd9%2F126441ad4a1ab9db6ec65692f727%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-cave.jpeg]A child plays in the lava tube cave exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. (Jean Nels ) “We have very few historical buildings left, and they wanted to keep that one,” said Jean Nels, the museum’s executive director. Today, the museum operates largely with volunteers, many of them retired teachers. Nels, who spent 34 years as an educator, said the exhibits are designed to be interactive. “People learn by playing, learn by doing," she said. "It makes it more real if they can touch it and do it." Instead of placing artifacts behind glass, the museum invites visitors to engage directly with exhibits, including a working flume that demonstrates how logs were transported and hands-on activities that reflect the region’s fishing history. Murals throughout the museum depict key moments in the area’s history, including the 1917 fire and the arrival of the railroad. The exhibits aim to reflect the surrounding landscape, with features such as a recreated lava tube that visitors can crawl through. Nels said early planners wanted to “bring in the beauty of the area,” shaping a space that blends geology, history and art. Displays also explain how Mount Shasta formed and how its volcanic activity is monitored today. A mural of Mt. Shasta serves as a backdrop for an exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a07e07f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3624x2298+0+0/resize/792x502!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2Ffd%2Fb5fc32724de0b1bc434002e5d903%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-1.jpeg]A mural of Mt. Shasta serves as a backdrop for an exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. (Jean Nels ) Among the museum’s notable artifacts is the top of an 1870s signal cone, once used in surveying to help establish property lines and map the California-Oregon border. The site was also associated with what has been described as the longest mirror flash ever measured, reaching 192 miles. The structure fell during a lightning storm in 1903, but part of it remains on display. Nels said it reflects the ambition of early figures such as Justin Sisson, who recognized the mountain’s potential. Learn more: Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum video series [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/video-series/] GUEST * Jean Nels, executive director, Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/] Note: This story originally aired on March 26, 2026. Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum was established in 1979 when locals saved the old hatchery building from being demolished. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0eb14d1/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3459x2542+0+0/resize/718x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff5%2Fdc%2F88f5d201415b93014111b04bbab7%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-front.jpeg]Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum was established in 1979 when locals saved the old hatchery building from being demolished. (Jean Nels )

Where to cool off this summer in Southern Oregon and Northern California

A child wearing a yellow life jacket paddleboards on a calm lake with forested mountains rising behind her under a clear blue sky. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2bf78b3/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3264x2448+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Fa3%2F80a2b8a344d8b13dc5aa5032e640%2Fimg-3682.jpeg]Nicole Larsen's daughter, Stellar Summer Larsen, paddleboards on Lake Siskiyou near Mount Shasta. Larsen recommends the lake for its calm water, mountain views and family-friendly activities. ( Photo courtesy of Nicole Larsen.) There are plenty of ways to cool off across Southern Oregon and Northern California. The harder question is deciding where to go. For Nicole Larsen, the answer is usually a lake. River guide Alyssa Winkelman gravitates toward moving water. Richard "Richie G" Gabriel prefers the Pacific, where cold water and heavy surf keep even experienced surfers humble. Together, they shared some of their favorite places to escape the heat—and the advice they think every newcomer should know. WHERE TO SPEND A DAY AT THE LAKE Larsen doesn't hesitate when asked what kind of water she prefers. "I'm more of a lake girl," she said. "I'm not a strong swimmer, to be completely honest." Her first recommendation is Lake Siskiyou [https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/lake-siskiyou/], near Mount Shasta. "It's a definite gem," Larsen said. "It's stunningly beautiful, it's very clean. The view of the mountain is incredible." The lake offers something for almost everyone. Families can spend time at the Splash Zone [https://lakesiskiyouresort.com/amenities/] inflatable water park, while paddlers can launch from quieter sections of shoreline for kayaking or paddleboarding. There are picnic areas, easy lake access and plenty of room to spread out. Larsen also recommends Lost Creek Lake [https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Rogue-River/], 30 miles northeast of Medford; Lake of the Woods [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/fremont-winema/recreation/lake-woods-resort], 40 miles northeast of Ashland; Whiskeytown Lake [https://www.nps.gov/whis/index.htm], outside of Redding, and Applegate Lake southwest of Medford. Each has its own personality. Lake of the Woods combines swimming with boat and paddleboard rentals and a historic lakeside lodge. Whiskeytown's remarkably clear water and surrounding mountains make it one of Northern California's most scenic lakes. Lost Creek Lake offers a broad sandy beach at Joseph H. Stewart S Recreation Area that's especially popular with families. "If you can't supply your own boating vessels, you can rent these at these locations," Larsen said. "Give it a try and see how much you love it." Alyssa Winkelman sits in a blue raft on a calm stretch of river surrounded by steep canyon walls. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/465cb02/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1200x900+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F13%2Fba%2F8ef78f544c4588b2084deebfe6b0%2Ff08f96c8-cbb8-4c54-afdc-1b33700c4fe3.JPG] River guide Alyssa Winkelman poses during a day on the river. Winkelman says Southern Oregon and Northern California offer rafting opportunities ranging from gentle floats to Class IV whitewater (Lorenzo Alvarez-Roo) WHERE TO COOL OFF ALONG THE RIVER For a river day close to the Rogue Valley, Larsen points people toward Griffin Park, just west of Grants Pass. "It's a great spot to start," she said. The park's sandy beach and gentle shoreline make it a favorite place to wade or cool off, but both Larsen and Winkelman say appearances can be deceiving. "You can look at a calm, big pool and think there's not a current," Winkelman said. "But there definitely still is." That's why they recommend staying close to shore, keeping children within arm's reach and remembering that rivers continue moving beneath the surface, even when they appear calm. Winkelman also encourages people to continue up the Rogue toward Union Creek, about an hour from Medford on the road to Crater Lake National Park. "I was blown away," she said after visiting for the first time recently. "It's pretty spectacular." The draw isn't one specific swimming hole. It's the chance to wander forest trails, stumble across waterfalls and discover small pools of icy water fed by the upper Rogue. WHY PADDLEBOARDING IS BOOMING Paddleboards have become a familiar sight across Southern Oregon lakes, and Larsen thinks there's a simple reason. "It's very relaxing," she said. Inflatable boards have made the sport more affordable and easier to transport, while calm lakesgive beginners plenty of room to learn without worrying about waves or river currents. Gabriel sees paddleboarding as surfing's more forgiving cousin. "It's more floaty, and it's user-friendly," he said. "The learning curve, unlike surfing, is very quick." Larsen says that's part of the appeal. People can stand, kneel or simply sit on the board. Some bring a picnic. Others bring a dog. She's even seen people doing yoga on them. A rafting guide and passengers navigate a whitewater rapid. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f5e40b4/2147483647/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F54%2F4e93399148cf948d64f4c412c293%2Fimg-7811.JPG] Alyssa Winkelman guides a rafting trip through whitewater on the Rogue River. Winkelman recommends guided rafting trips for first-time visitors, saying they provide safety instruction, equipment and local knowledge ( Rudi Bega) WHY A GUIDED RAFTING TRIP IS WORTH IT Winkelman has spent years guiding rivers across the West. For newcomers, she recommends hiring a guide. "I think that if you are interested in it, that's a great place to start," she said. Outfitters on the Rogue and Klamath rivers offer everything from half-day floats to multi-day wilderness trips, providing safety instruction, equipment and local knowledge along the way. For Winkelman, some of the best memories have nothing to do with rapids. "I love seeing bears on the Rogue," she said, recalling one evening when a bear sow and her cubs played in the river near camp. "It was pretty special." Larsen points to another highlight. "The lunch," she said, laughing. She's only partly joking. Guided rafting trips have developed a reputation for surprisingly elaborate riverside meals, from fresh salads to Dutch oven desserts, served on quiet beaches that most visitors never reach by road. HOW TO GET STARTED SURFING Gabriel has spent decades surfing the Southern Oregon and Northern California coast. He says newcomers should understand that surfing here bears little resemblance to postcard images from Southern California. "The coast is rugged," he said. "There's lots of small tuck-in areas. It's very dangerous. There's lots of rips." His advice starts before anyone picks up a surfboard. "You've got to be a swimmer," he said. Cold water changes everything. A quality wetsuit isn't optional. "If you're going to go out here in our territory—Oregon, Washington, Northern California—you have to have a wetsuit," Gabriel said. "That is your personal flotation device." For beginners, he recommends taking lessons at Local Boys [https://www.localboyssurfshop.com/rentals] in Crescent City, California. He said you can rent everything you need there. He said the nearby South Beach offers a sandy-bottom beach and gentler conditions than many of the region's rocky surf breaks, making it a common place for first lessons. Even then, Gabriel says surfers should spend time getting comfortable with the ocean before chasing bigger waves. Richard "Richie G" Gabriel rides a wave on a yellow surfboard while wearing a black wetsuit in the Pacific Ocean. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ae8c97f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1888x1151+0+0/resize/792x483!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdd%2Fb6%2F895b0c9b434d8756293668731e42%2Fe99f28f7-cdb3-401c-957a-338a75712e81.jpeg]Richard "Richie G" Gabriel has spent decades riding cold-water waves. Gabriel recommends South Beach in Crescent City as a beginner-friendly place to learn. Photo courtesy of Richard Gabriel. (Judith Gabriel) BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT Whether they preferred lakes, rivers or the ocean, all three came back to the same themes: prepare for the conditions, respect the water and don't rush the experience. Bring more water and snacks than you think you'll need. Pack a hat, lightweight sun protection and water shoes. Keep children close around moving water, and remember that mountain rivers and lakes stay cold even during the hottest weeks of summer. But don't forget to enjoy it. "It's a recharge of your battery," Gabriel said. "You forget about all your in-the-moment transactions ... it's a meditation."

Meet the “Rogue Rockhound” shaping Oregon stones into art

Andrew Parmalee, a.k.a. the Rogue Rock [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/515ace2/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2F0c%2F84deeece413a9691480c47ec2c37%2Fantigorite-aka-applegate-jade.jpg] Andrew Parmalee, a.k.a. the "Rogue Rockhound" transforms his collection of rocks into spherical works of art. The featured antigorite is also known as "Applegate Jade."(Andrew Parmalee ) Thousands of YouYube subscribers know Andrew Parmalee as "The Rogue Rockhound [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRogueRockhound].," a Rogue Valley native who transforms raw Pacific Northwest stones into polished spheres. He describes a rockhound as someone who enjoys nature and searching for rocks. To find material, Parmalee often looks to ground disturbed by cattle or burrowing squirrels, scanning churned soil for stones exposed at the surface. He said recent wildfires in the Pacific Northwest have made some surface rocks more brittle, pushing him to dig about 12 to 18 inches down to reach more protected soil. Whether he is working in burned landscapes or in remote areas in southeast Oregon, Parmalee said the appeal is the hunt. “You just want to fill your pockets," he said. "Before you know it, you need to wear suspenders to keep your pockets up." Back in his workshop, Parmalee describes his approach as “balling on a budget,” building much of his own equipment to keep costs down. Commercial sphere machines can cost more than $3,600, so he constructed his own drill rigs and polishing machines. He said he finds a certain satisfaction in turning rough, jagged stones into smooth, glossy spheres. Parmalee also shares his process online, including mistakes. He said showing failures helps others learn how to troubleshoot problems with similar equipment and offers a more realistic view of the work. He said the hobby can expand as far as someone wants, from casual collecting to studying geology or pursuing mining as a career. GUEST * Andrew Parmalee, aka "Rogue Rockhound" Note: This story originally aired on March 25, 2026.

Western ridged mussel decline in Oregon signals deeper trouble in rivers

The Western Ridgeback Mussel fills an essential filter cleaning role within rivers located in western states. While their presence is critical for clean water and eliminating pollutants, their population has been dramatically reduced by more than 40%. In California rivers, they have nearly disappeared altogether. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3013c0d/2147483647/strip/false/crop/975x983+0+0/resize/524x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F75%2F7a%2F22b7e08b483bb817f5acc763c299%2Fusfws-western-ridged-mussel-2-large.jpg]The Western Ridgeback Mussel fills an essential filter cleaning role within rivers located in western states. While their presence is critical for clean water and eliminating pollutants, their population has been dramatically reduced by more than 40%. In California rivers, they have nearly disappeared altogether. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ) Update: This story originally aired on March 19, 2026. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit on June 9 [https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-seeks-endangered-species-protection-for-western-ridged-mussels-2026-06-09/]. Environmental advocates are threatening to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over delays in deciding whether the western ridged mussel should receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. The freshwater species, found in rivers across parts of the Pacific Northwest and West, helps filter pollutants from waterways. Advocates say its decline could signal broader problems for river ecosystems. Though easy to overlook, the western ridged mussel plays an important role in keeping rivers clean. The mussels sit in riverbeds and filter water, removing particulate matter, bacteria such as E. coli and other pollutants. Meg Townsend, a freshwater attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, said one mussel bed can filter about 4.5 pounds of particulate matter from a river each year. “They’re pretty much the unsung heroes of clean water,” Townsend said. “While they may be small and look like rocks and be half submerged in riverbeds, their impact is just absolutely huge.” Townsend said mussels are an important indicator of ecosystem health. When they disappear, she said, rivers lose part of their natural ability to stay clean, affecting the entire ecosystem. Western ridged mussels once ranged from San Diego County into Canada, including parts of Idaho and Nevada, Townsend said. But Townsend said their range has shrunk by 43%, and they have disappeared entirely from the southern part of their California range. Recent die-offs in Oregon and Washington are especially concerning, Townsend said. In some cases, thousands of mussels can die in a single summer. ADVOCATES PUSH FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR WESTERN RIDGED MUSSEL The species faces several threats, including dams, pollution and runoff from agriculture and urban areas. Dams can fragment fish populations, alter water temperature and disrupt sediment flow, all of which can damage mussel habitat. That is especially problematic because mussels depend on healthy fish populations to reproduce. Townsend said the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned in 2020 to have the western ridged mussel listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service found the petition presented enough scientific information to warrant a full review, she said, but missed its August 2021 deadline to make a required decision. Now, the group has issued a 60-day notice of intent to sue the agency. Townsend said the legal action is intended to force the agency to decide whether the species should be listed as threatened or endangered. GUEST * Meg Townsend, freshwater attorney, Center for Biological Diversity Meg Townsend, freshwater attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1394066/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1080x1080+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd9%2F71%2F9492626c4083873560d1e6664b11%2Fmeg-face-photo-credit-meg-townsend.jpg]Meg Townsend, freshwater attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. (Meg Townsend )