Late last May Oregon Wild participated in the first annual SalmonAID festival.  Sponsored by a coalition of organizations throughout the west, SalmonAID works to restore rivers, recover salmon, and build jobs with wild salmon in mind.  Salmon have long been a critical link in Oregon Wild’s work to protect our state’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters; the SalmonAID coalition brings together conservation groups, fisherpeople, tribes, biologists, and more to advocate for the dire needs of Pacific salmon.  Loss of salmon in the West means a loss of culture, cuisine, economy, and ecology; the ripple effects of this fish in peril are significant.

As in 2008, salmon runs in the West are dangerously low and the coastal fishing industry is facing significant losses due to major closures again this year. Salmon continue to face declines due to over-allocation of water resources, development and infrastructure (aka dams) projects on rivers and streams, climate change, altered ocean conditions, and more.  There is not a singular reason, but rather a collection of harmful impacts that have placed salmon in danger year after year.

SalmonAID will bring the festivities to Jack London Square in Oakland, CA this June, and Oregon Wild is doing what it can to support the effort once again.  SalmonAID is a terrific free, family-friendly festival with music, salmon-friendly food, and culture.  Further, SalmonAID supports a growing community of advocacy for Pacific salmon and the rivers they depend on.