The Clear Lake hitch begins its annual spawn, and trained community members are heading to local creeks to observe the threatened species and collect data as part of a community science program. According to TheLakeCountyNews, 31 residents have volunteered to be part of the First Annual Community Science Hitch Spawner Observation Survey organized by the Lake County Watershed Protection District in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Observation points throughout the county have been designated. Volunteers attended mandatory training sessions in order to participate in the annual count