[Ambassador Report] Youth Salmon Protectors Introduction (Free Topic)by Elizabeth Duke Moe | 16-09-2021 01:34 |
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The Youth Salmon Protectors (YSP)My name is Liz Duke-Moe and I am the Co-leader of a Northwest United States youth coalition called YSP. Youth Salmon Protectors was launched in January 2021 to advocate for replacing the 4 Lower Snake River dams to save Northwest wild anadromous fish and Southern Resident orcas from extinction. This effort was established by the Idaho Conservation League to ensure younger generations of Idahoans understand and support the importance of salmon restoration, to mobilize an overwhelming grassroots movement, and to ensure youth engagement for this issue. We have written over 1500 postcards to elected officials (such as Senator Crapo and Senator Risch of Idaho), published 14 letters to the editor, organized direct actions, tabled at events to raise money, visited our senators¡¯ offices, arranged meetings with members of congress, organized banner drops and wheatpasting, and built coalitions across state and tribal lines to call for engagement with Congressman Simpson's Columbia Basin Initiative. The Issue: In the 1960's and '70's four dams were built on the Lower Snake River to facilitate barging from Lewiston and Clarkston. Since the construction of these dams, wild salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest have been in drastic decline. According to accepted science, if significant action isn't taken within the next decade, these keystone fish and the 137 species that rely on them will be dammed to extinction. Since the 1990's environmentalists, guides, fishermen, and tribes have called for the breaching of these four dams. However, these adult-led groups have been unsuccessful. The purpose of Youth Salmon Protectors is to bring new energy to the movement and allow for youth voices to be heard on this issue. Please contact me at lizzydm03@gmail.com if you would like to be notified of our merchandise drops and new website launch. |
