Event Details

The Community Library and the Idaho Conservation League are pleased to announce an exploration of Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead. This event will discuss the science, history and policy of Idaho’s wild fish, through the eyes of Idaho conservationists who’ve devoted their lives to their love of the wild. Over the course of two days we will examine how needs for a sustainable and affordable energy future are reshaping the conversations and building promising new prospects that may save these endangered and iconic fish that nourish the heart of wild Idaho. Through storytelling, presentations and interactive discussion, we will dive into developing issues, policy prospects, energy and advocacy challenges ahead for what could be considered one of the great conservation issues of our time. Please register here for this free event.

Speakers, panelists and storytellers will include:

Russ Thurow. One of the region’s leading experts in the science of salmon and steelhead, including the causes of decline and what’s needed to save them. Russ is a career fisheries biologist with the US Forest Service Research Station.

Rocky Barker. Idaho’s leading environmental journalist, most recently with the Idaho Statesman, no reporter has covered the salmon issue from Idaho to the ocean as completely or for so long. Rocky has also covered the growing intersection of regional energy and salmon recovery.

Pat Ford. A life-long Idaho conservationist, Pat led the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition for many years. The coalition has long been the region’s leading voice in restoring the salmon and steelhead, and Pat’s passion and love of Idaho’s wild fish has been important to fighting extinction and fostering hope.

Jim Norton. A world-traveling professional river guide, Jim Norton has shared the salmon story with hundreds of clients on the Middle Fork Salmon, and has developed an encyclopedic understanding of regional energy issues and prospects for system change.

Ed Cannady. After a long backcountry career with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Ed knows the rivers and streams, mountains and valleys of some of the wildest and most valued salmon and steelhead habitat on earth. His love of Idaho is palpable and inspiring.

Rick Johnson. For well over 20 years as the Idaho Conservation League executive director, Rick has helped lead efforts to reframe the craft of conservation advocacy in the West, including designation of nine new wilderness areas in Idaho. He is very close to developing political prospects to save salmon and reboot the region’s energy infrastructure.

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