Stories of Salmon in the Columbia Basin

Salmon are an ecological and cultural keystone species, playing a crucial role for ecosystems across the Northwest and holding a deep significance for many Northwest Tribes. However, runs across the Columbia Basin are in peril: 11 of the 16 historic stocks migrating above Bonneville Dam are either threatened, endangered, or extinct, and none are anywhere close to healthy or harvestable numbers. This month’s talk will discuss the critical importance of salmon, how they’re doing across numbers. This month’s talk will discuss the critical importance of salmon, how they’re doing across the Basin, the threats they face, and what centerpiece actions can be taken to restore their populations.

Abby Saks is the Inland Northwest field organizer for Save Our wild Salmon, a non-profit dedicated to Columbia Basin salmon recovery.