By LeeAnne Beres
I thought you might like to hear my Top 10 reasons why I’ll be making a gift to Save Our wild Salmon as part of GiveBIG, alongside so many of our generous supporters.
10. Salmon are amazing, resilient, spiritual creatures. As author David James Duncan wrote so eloquently, “There is a fire in water. There is an invisible flame, hidden in water, that creates not heat but life. And in this bewildering age, no matter how dark or glib some humans work to make it, wild salmon still climb rivers and mountain ranges in absolute earnest, solely to make contact with that flame. Words can't reach deep or high enough to embody this wonder. Only wild salmon can embody it. Each migration, each annual return from the sea, these incomparable creatures climb our inland mountains and sacrifice their lives, that tiny silver offspring may be born of an impossible water flame.”
9. SOS has a long successful history – over 30 years! – of bringing together diverse partners and stakeholders from around the region for strategic, coordinated, and collaborative action to rebuild salmon abundance by protecting their habitats and restoring and reconnecting their rivers. SOS has been effective at securing more water in the river for salmon, holding federal agencies accountable for their obligations under federal laws, and pushing for a stronger Columbia River Treaty. We’re making progress and securing these wins – and many others – together.
8. Restoring the lower Snake River is one of our nation’s great fish and wildlife initiatives today. Removing four federal dams on the lower Snake River will re-establish a 140-mile free-flowing river and 14,000+ acres of riparian habitat in the heart of Pacific Northwest salmon country. Working in collaboration with our member organizations and other regional allies, SOS has the organizing and policy expertise to continue moving the region toward a comprehensive plan that removes these dams, invests in our communities, and modernizes our region’s energy, transportation, and irrigation infrastructure.
7. The diversity of the SOS Coalition is our strength. SOS is comprised of more than 50 organizations: conservation groups, commercial and sportfishing associations, businesses, and salmon, orca, and clean energy advocates – as well as citizen activists – all working to protect and recover critically endangered salmon and steelhead populations that call the Columbia-Snake River Basin home.
6. I’m excited about SOS’ NextGen Salmon Collective, which trains and empowers up-and-coming youth advocates to amplify their voices through strategic outreach and organizing. In the past year, NextGen leaders have hosted and participated in dozens of advocacy events and outreach initiatives including film screenings, letter-writing parties, tabling on campus, presentations, canvassing in the local community, and participating in meetings with elected officials in the Northwest and in DC. These young activists are critical to a brighter and healthier future!
5. SOS led a ‘citizen delegation’ to Washington D.C. last week where they met with two dozen Congressional offices to advocate for salmon recovery, healthy rivers, and vibrant communities. Our participants included two NextGen youth advocates, two female commercial fishermen, and a Tlingit & Haida leader from southeast Alaska, along with Tanya and Abby D. from the SOS team. They had productive conversations and left feeling inspired and energized for the work ahead.
4. My heart was filled at the recent “For the Love of Orcas: An Evening of Art and Poetry” event in Olympia, which featured regional poets and authors – and stunning artwork of the Southern Resident orcas created by Gabriel Newton. Hosted by SOS through our Northwest Artists Against Extinction project in collaboration with several NGO allies, this powerful standing-room-only event moved hearts and minds and offered everyone an invitation into deeper connection with each other, our iconic orcas, and the salmon they rely on. Art is truly transformative!
3. I’m looking forward to “A Majestic Matriarchy: Honoring Southern Resident Orcas” on June 14 in Seattle. Hosted by Se’Si’Le, an Indigenous-led nonprofit, the event is supported by a coalition of NGOs including SOS. It will focus on Indigenous women to celebrate and bring attention to the Southern Resident orcas. Many native peoples share a deep affinity for the matriarchal lifeway of our majestic orcas who rely on the older females for guidance, especially in times of crisis. Join us to listen, learn, and be inspired by the heartfelt words, visions, and voices of powerful Indigenous women leaders. Registration information is coming soon.
2. On September 9, 1999, I stood on Lower Granite Dam and swore that I’d see it removed in my lifetime, and I know SOS will be one of the driving forces to make that goal a reality. I picked up a rock from the dam’s earthen berm that day and keep it in my home office, where it inspires me to work toward the vision of a restored river and thriving salmon. When the Snake River finally flows free, I’ll return the rock to its banks with prayers of thanksgiving for all who made it possible and the timeless persistence of the salmon who once again will swim quicksilver to the sea.
And the #1 Reason:
1. I believe in people power – that’s you! SOS educates, inspires, and mobilizes our supporters and the public to act on behalf of salmon and their rivers, but none of this would be possible without you, without all of us together. Your voice makes a real difference, and I’m so glad that you’ve decided to take action with Save Our wild Salmon. Together we can do hard things, and while saving wild salmon isn’t easy, it’s essential to Northwest tribes and other fishing communities, to orcas and to our region’s identity and special way of life.
I’m sure you have your own Top 10 reasons for supporting SOS, but all you need today is one – it’s GiveBig, and a generous donor is providing a $15,000 match so your contribution will be doubled dollar for dollar.
Thank you for all that you do,
LeeAnne Beres and the SOS team
