Imagine the life of a local salmon emerging from the protected shield of its egg into the fast-moving currents of the gorgeous, green Nooksack River. You evade predators, like adult fish, and your body is so small that you filter through wood and debris in the river for a year. Then you drift all the way down to Bellingham Bay. There, your gills adapt to saltwater and you remain in the ocean for several years.

If you are looking for that rare article that calls out hatchery fish for the monstrosity they truly are, look no farther. The amount of money Americans spend on fish hatcheries so that lazy fisherman can get lucky twice in their life is a reminder that we are a vastly stupid country.

Not to mention the amount of money   we spend every year getting rid of the rodent that otherwise would be that salmon’s best friend.

“Dams block the passage of fish. Fry (baby fish) must swim above them in the reservoir and expend exorbitant amounts of energy,” explains Chris. “In a stream, they could just go with the current. Fry also have to go through the spillway of a dam, which is stressful on their bodies. Salmon need clean, cold water. Anything above 65 degrees Fahrenheit is lethal.” Concrete dams do not keep the river clean or cold.

But What About Beaver Dams?

Beavers are quite integral to natural ecosystems, as they create complex habitats. Since their dams are not made of concrete, many organisms – including fry – thrive in their structures. Beaver dams filter water keeping it clean, they encourage vegetation growth, vegetation keeps the water temperature cool, and all this creates an ideal salmon habitat. Beaver dams even conserve water because they slow down the current without stopping it like a concrete dam does. This recharges the aquifer and gives us all more water.

How did they get so VERY VERY smart about beavers in  Washington? It can’t be the Canadian border influence because our friends in Port Moody are surrounded by hatchery-driven beaver stupid. Is it Michael Pollock and NOAA fisheries? If he were based say in Arizona would that be the smart state we all envied?

I don’t know but it’s sure wonderful to read. Thank you Washington for showing us what to strive for.

And since we’re heading into Earth day and John Muir’s birthday, I thought I’d let you read something wonderful that just celebrated it’s permanent home at UOP yesterday. Try and imagine what it felt like for an oldish man in with Orchards in Martinez to receive this letter.

“I don’t want anyone with me but you.” That must have been the very best letter a man like Muir could receive, knowing that it meant he would have the powerful man’s full attention and the nearly assured future preservation of the place he loved most in the world. It probably was second only to this letter which was sent two highly successful months later.