Wildlife Conservation

Wild Salmon Habitat Restoration

Restoring degraded salmon habitat is one of the highest-impact investments for both fish welfare and ecosystem health.

Key Facts

Pacific salmon require cold, clean, well-oxygenated rivers for spawning
Stream temperature above 20C causes thermal stress and increased mortality
Large woody debris in streams creates essential resting and feeding habitat
Riparian vegetation shading can reduce stream temperatures by 3-5C
Salmon hatcheries supplement wild populations but cannot replace wild habitat

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon experience complex migratory journeys of hundreds to thousands of kilometers, enduring physiological transformation and numerous threats. Degraded habitat — from sedimentation, warming waters, blocked passages, and riparian loss — increases stress, injury, and mortality across all life stages. Restoring natural stream conditions reduces chronic stressors and supports fish completing their life cycle.

What You Can Do

Support riparian restoration projects in salmon watersheds
Advocate for fish-passage improvements at dams and culverts
Reduce personal water use during low-flow summer periods
Choose certified sustainable salmon when purchasing seafood
Donate to watershed councils working on salmon habitat