NextGen Salmon Collective: Empowering Youth Advocacy for Columbia-Snake River Basin Restoration 

Salmon, as an ecological and cultural keystone species, play a crucial role in maintaining the health and integrity of ecosystems across the world. In the Columbia River Basin, due to scores of dams, hot, stagnant water puts salmon populations on the brink of extinction. Youth leadership in salmon advocacy is vital for the restoration of this cherished species and is imperative to foster a sense of environmental stewardship among future generations.

NextGen Salmon Collective is a space for young advocates to harness their advocacy through education, skills, and community with the goal of restoring healthy and abundant salmon in the Columbia-Snake River Basin. Our mission is to foster meaningful connections, provide educational resources, facilitate mentorship, and offer logistical support for youth-led initiatives. By empowering the next generation of environmental leaders, we aim to equip emerging activists with the skills and passion to make a meaningful impact on salmon conservation efforts.

Why NextGen Salmon Collective?

• Empower young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to advocate for Columbia River Basin salmon recovery.

• Foster collaboration and networking among youth leaders and conservation organizations.

• Implement community-based initiatives to protect and restore healthy and abundant Snake River salmon.

• Raise awareness about Snake River restoration through outreach, education campaigns, and advocacy efforts.

As part of the NextGen Salmon Collective, Save Our wild Salmon offers collaborative internships! This team-based, structured internship will allow a highly passionate and creative student to educate and mobilize their peers on the importance of Columbia-Snake River restoration. Interns will lead community outreach projects and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with other youth organizers across the region. Click here to meet the current NextGen Salmon Collective team!

Empowering youth to become leaders in salmon advocacy is essential for the restoration and protection of this iconic species and the ecosystems they inhabit. The next generation of environmental stewards is among us, and we hope they choose to safeguard the future of Columbia River Basin salmon and all the species that depend on them.

If you have any questions, reach out to Abby Dalke, Outreach Coordinator, at abby@wildsalmon.org.