Wildlife

Wild Salmon Habitat Restoration

Restoring degraded salmon habitat is essential for wild salmon population recovery and the broader ecosystems they support.

Key Facts

Wild salmon populations have declined 90% or more in many Pacific and Atlantic rivers
Dams, agricultural runoff and riparian degradation are key drivers
Salmon carcasses fertilize forests — they are a keystone species
Dam removal has led to rapid and dramatic salmon population recovery in several rivers

Welfare Considerations

Individual salmon experience significant suffering during migration through degraded habitat — thermal stress, exhaustion, physical injury at barriers, and exposure to disease. Restoring habitat reduces this suffering at scale while recovering population viability and the ecological services salmon provide.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal and fish passage projects
Advocate for riparian buffer zones along streams
Choose Marine Stewardship Council certified wild-caught salmon
Donate to salmon habitat restoration organizations