Our mission is to protect the world’s salmon strongholds—wild rivers where salmon still thrive.
A Global Movement for Our Wildest Salmon Rivers
Wild Salmon Center brings together scientists, conservationists, and people like you to protect salmon strongholds.
Wild Salmon are Under Threat
Salmon face many challenges in nature, but today’s greatest threats come from people.
Large-Scale Industrial Development
Mining, clear-cut logging, and other large-scale development represent the single greatest threat to wild salmon rivers across the North Pacific.
Dams and Other Barriers
In many rivers, wild salmon face steady incursions into their habitat through dams and other barriers—a road here, a drained wetland there—that over time have pushed many runs to the brink.
Overfishing
A century of overfishing and accidental harvest by commercial fishermen and anglers has reduced salmon abundance and genetic diversity.
Climate Change
Increasingly volatile weather conditions are heating salmon streams, destabilizing ecosystems, and increasing the risk of natural disasters like landslides.
Make a difference
Meet people just like you who have taken the step to join our movement.
Sheila Dunn
Artist and Activist
Walt Mintkeski
Wild Salmon Center Donor
“Some people go to the mosque or church. I go to the Tillamook.”
Yassine Diboun
Ultramarathoner
Jeremy Jorgens
Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management
Mark Villers
Blue Ridge Timber Cutting
How to Become a Stronghold Guardian
Guardians are people like you who directly support our work to save wild salmon. They’re just as crucial to our success as our team in the field.
Donate
Donations are our most critical need at Wild Salmon Center. None of our protection work is possible without your support.
Take Action
Take the next step and write leaders who can help us secure policy wins and long-term protections.
Shop Wild
Choosing wild salmon when shopping is a key part of protecting these keystone species.
Our Impact Together
With the help of our Stronghold Guardians, we’ve made a significant impact.
120
Million
wild fish protected
annually
60,240
Miles
of streamside buffers created in Oregon
15
Coalitions
founded with partner organizations
To protect the 20 strongholds by 2032, we’re going to need help. Check out Running Wild, a campaign and giant format movie bringing people together.
Running Wild
A campaign for new guardians
The world’s first wild salmon IMAX and giant screen theaters film and the important call to join together in protecting them.
Guido Rahr: a Champion for Salmon
“Flyfishing is a portal into the natural world.”
Every movement starts somewhere. Ours was born out of the lifelong passion of our CEO and President.
Join the Movement
Subscribe to to take action and keep salmon rivers running wild.