About Salmon Nation
FAQ
"Think of the Northwest," writes Carl Safina in his essay The Soul Who Swims, "and salmon soon come to mind." One six-year old visitor offered us a similar sentiment in three simple words: "Follow the fish."
In search of a regional icon — or of a single indicator by which to measure regional health — one could hardly do better. Not only do 137 species depend on salmon as part of their diets, the landscape itself is nourished by them. "The forest raises the salmon," writes Richard Manning in his essay The Forests that Fish Built, "but the salmon also raise the forest. This mutual dependence is the very definition of community, and in the end, the heart of the matter."
Why salmon?
Is Salmon Nation an organization?
Where does funding come from?
Who owns Salmon Nation?
Who is Ecotrust?
Where are the boundaries of Salmon Nation?
What is a bioregion?
What exactly does Salmon Nation do?
How is Salmon Nation different than Cascadia?
Is there a Salmon Nation political party?
Is there a Salmon Nation Flag?
What does it mean to join Salmon Nation?
What are the values of Salmon Nation
How can I get involved?
Is Salmon Nation an organization?
No, Salmon Nation is not an organization — at least not yet! Salmon Nation is a concept, a place, a set of values, a community, and a way of viewing the interrelationships between all of them. Salmon Nation programming and publications, including this website, are coordinated by Ecotrust.
Where does funding for Salmon Nation come from?
A variety of sources. Salmon Nation is funded through individual contributions, through the sale of merchandise, through grant and foundation support, and through Ecotrust's Citizenship program. For more information, contact at Ecotrust.
We all do! The power of Salmon Nation comes from the many ways it touches and inspires the region's residents, businesses, organizations and governments. Salmon Nation will only be a successful tool in building a healthier bioregion if it is owned by the people. Legally, Salmon Nation is trademarked by Ecotrust. But there are many ways that Ecotrust has opened up Salmon Nation for others to use and benefit from.
Ecotrust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Portland, Oregon. Ecotrust works to strengthen communities and the environment from Alaska to California. Please visit www.ecotrust.org to learn more.
Where are the boundaries of Salmon Nation?
Anywhere Pacific salmon have ever run (see a map).
Technically, Salmon Nation also includes parts of Russia and Japan. For more information about the state of salmon ecosystems across the north Pacific Rim, please visit the State of the Salmon project website.
Check out this Salmon Nation sticker in Russian! (768k pdf, 78k jpeg)
Bioregions have been defined by geographic and topographic features, or distinct cultural or natural communities. (more on wikipedia)
What exactly does Salmon Nation do?
Salmon Nation exists to inspire and engage the citizens of the region to tangibly change the way we think about and act on our connections to place and community.
How is Salmon Nation different from Cascadia?
Cascadia is typically defined as the Northwest temperate rainforest region in parts of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Salmon Nation encompasses all of the Cascadia region and also includes most of the state of California and as far north as Alaska.
Is there a Salmon Nation political party?
Not that we know of. Should there be? Send us your thoughts!
Is there a Salmon Nation Flag?
You bet! Learn more…
What does it mean to Make the Leap?
It means you join a community of individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to live in a way that strengthens our local and regional economies, sustains our natural abundance, and nurtures our spirits. You also have the option of recieving our flagship publication, Salmon Nation Voices.
Of course, even if you don't want to receive anything from us, you are still welcome to make the leap — just as long as the values of Salmon Nation resonate with you.
What are the values of Salmon Nation?
We tend to think of them as: rootedness, respect and interconnectedness. We hope you'll find these values throughout the words and materials that we — and other Salmon Nation Translators — are speaking, singing, drawing, and publishing. You're welcome to suggest other values as well.
Become a Translator, Ambassador, or Business Partner
Check out the ten tips for fish friendly living
