Registration is now open for a virtual conference that will bring together more than 1,000 salmon recovery practitioners.
Hosted by the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the Recreation and Conservation Office and the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, this conference, called “Building a Movement” will be held April 28-30. Registration is online at https://bit.ly/3t3WMxU and costs $30.
Many of the salmon populations in Washington are threatened with extinction and listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Recovery efforts have been underway for more than 20 years but many of the salmon population are still struggling.
“This conference is a great place for all of those involved in salmon recovery to share knowledge, learn best practices and get the latest information on emerging studies,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office. “People join us from all over the Pacific Northwest and learn from each other and get re-energized for this very important work.”
Gov. Jay Inslee will give opening remarks. Other speakers include the Lieutenant Gov. Denny Heck, Tribal Leaders from across Washington and members of the Salmon Recovery Council.
The conference will feature 25 sessions covering a wide range of salmon recovery projects, science, outreach and policy. Two short films will also be shown.
Topics to be covered include a deep dive into case studies on the restoration of Hood Canal and the upper Columbia River, and the successful removal of the Elwha Dam in a talk by a former poet laureate of Washington.
“There’s a little bit of something for anyone interested in salmon recovery,” Cottingham said. “It’s inspiring to see so many people engaged in this important work. It gives me hope.”
