Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association Welcomes Annitra Peck as Executive Director
BELLINGHAM, WA — April 30, 2025 — The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is proud to announce the appointment of Annitra Peck as its new Executive Director, effective May 1, 2025. Peck has served as NSEA’s Interim Director since January 1 and was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors to step into the role permanently.
Annitra brings more than 14 years of experience with NSEA, most recently serving as Director of Education and Community Programs. In that time, she has played a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s outreach, restoration partnerships, grant management, and internal operations.
“We are so pleased that the years of experience and leadership that Annitra has brought to NSEA is culminating in this important transition for NSEA. said Rose Anne Featherston, Board President. . The board is thrilled with the vision that Annitra brings to NSEA alongside her deep knowledge of how to effectively implement NSEA’s mission to engage community to recover wild salmon for future generations.”
Founded in 1990, NSEA is part of a statewide network of 14 regional salmon enhancement groups dedicated to restoring wild salmon runs through community-based habitat restoration, education, and stewardship. Since its founding, NSEA has:
- Removed 173 fish passage barriers
- Restored over 147 miles of salmon-bearing streams
- Planted more than 471,000 native trees and shrubs
- Inspired over 34,000 student scientists through school-based education programs
Dories Belisle, former NSEA board member for 12 years, stated: “As a former co- owner of BelleWood Acres and project manager of the Tenmile Creek Watershed Project, where NSEA implemented stream restoration, I have seen firsthand what NSEA can do to bring science and community together. I’ve witnessed NSEA’s success in stream restoration for healthy salmon runs. I’ve seen Annitra’s careful work and leadership in the organization and wholeheartedly support this new chapter in NSEA’s story.”
In accepting the role, Peck shared her enthusiasm for NSEA’s future:
“My passion for this organization is endless and I am thrilled with the opportunities ahead for NSEA as we continue to build on the work we’ve done for decades by working with landowners to bring salmon back to streams, creating opportunity to bring community members together over shovels and trees, and to inspire our future generations through our educational programs. Our capable staff bring innovative ideas to our mission every day, and I am honored to lead them as we continue to serve the community and salmon.”
As Annitra steps into this new role, NSEA extends heartfelt thanks to its past Executive Directors, whose leadership helped build the foundation for decades of success.
About NSEA:
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) works to restore sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County through habitat restoration, community education, and volunteer-driven stewardship. Learn more at www.n-sea.org.
