10 ways to be a Salmon Steward
Buying products from Salmon-Safe farms is a great way to help save salmon, but there are many other ways you can help too.
1. Buy food items with the "Salmon-Safe" seal of approval
The Salmon-Safe program provides independent third party reviews of
agricultural practices to ensure
that water quality and habitat conservation practices benefit native salmon. Ask for Salmon-Safe products
at local groceries such as PCC Natural Markets and
Seattle
area farmer's markets. Be sure to thank your local Salmon-Safe farmers for
doing their part to help protect our region's native salmon.
2. Join other citizens in restoring shoreline and riparian habitats
Get involved in restoring riparian habitat by planting native plants, tearing out weeds, and watering.
Seattle Public Utilities Creek
Stewards Events lists numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the
Seattle area or you can contact the Midsound Fisheries Enhancement Group,
the Stilly Snohomish
Fisheries Enhancement Task Force or one of the many other Enhancement
Groups throughout Puget Sound.
The Dirt is an online calendar of habitat planting events,
workshops, and other hands-on opportunities
around King County.
3. Buy "wild" salmon from sustainable populations
Avoid farmed salmon. Salmon farming produces waste that is released into the ocean, spreads parasites
and disease to wild populations, results in escaped fish which compete with wild salmon for food and
spawning grounds, and uses more fish protein than it produces. Wild salmon fisheries in Alaska are one
of the world's best managed fisheries and the best choice for consumers according to
Monterey Bay Aquarium's
Seafood Watch and the Marine Stewardship Council. Wild salmon from off the coast of California, Washington and
Oregon are also good alternatives to farmed salmon. Commercially available wild salmon derive from
healthy populations, not the threatened populations of Puget Sound. For more information about wild
versus farmed salmon visit David Suzuki Foundation,
or Section Z.
4. Grow a salmon-friendly garden
Regardless of how far your lawn or garden is from water, it can affect salmon. Sediments, fertilizer,
and pesticides can run off your property and into salmon habitat. A salmon-friendly garden uses natural
processes to grow plants that reduce erosion and fertilizer and pesticide use while saving you time and
money. The Seattle
Public Utilities has resources on choosing the right plants, efficient watering,
and natural pest, weed, and disease control. The Natural
Lawn and Garden Hotline can be reached at (206) 633-0224.
5. Conserve Water
You can easily conserve water to leave more for salmon and other aquatic species. Water efficiency can
be improved in the household, the garden, and at work by installing efficient fixtures, fixing leaks,
and being conscious of excess water use. Saving
Water Partnership has very practical advice on how to
reduce water usage.
6. Prevent Water Pollution
Chemicals and pollution in our waterways interfere with the sense of smell that salmon use to find
their way back to their native streams and can interfere with salmon reproduction. Never dump oil,
paint or chemicals down storm drains and make sure these pollutants are not leaking onto driveways
or other paved surfaces. Sediments and pollution from your roof and driveway wash along the pavement
and are flushed into storm drains and into salmon habitat. Make sure your gutters direct storm water
to vegetation rather than pavement and wash your car at a car wash instead of in your driveway. Tips
for home, sidewalk, and driveway could be found at the King
County website. Washington Toxics
Coalition is a great source for information, including alternatives to
toxic
household cleaning products.
7. Conserve Energy
You can reduce your impact on salmon and the environment by conserving energy: use
energy efficient appliances, turn off lights when leaving a room, keep your thermostat low,
and only run dishwashers and washing machines when full. Taken cumulatively, energy conservation
can reduce our demand for power, which requires the consumption of natural resources to produce.
Tips for conserving energy as well as links to more information can be found at the
Natural Resources Defense Council website.
8. Maintain a salmon-friendly landscape
Soil erosion can be very bad for salmon health. Excessive sediments cover gravel spawning and rearing beds
needed by salmon and reduce the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic life. Erosion can be
prevented by minimizing the amount of soil disturbance, especially in wet weather. Do not remove native
vegetation in or alongside streams. Streamside vegetation provides food and shelter for fish and other
wildlife. Overhanging trees offer shade, which keeps the stream temperature down. Cool water keeps fish
healthy and reduces algae growth. Roots of native vegetation are also important, as they stabilize stream
banks, trap sediments and prevent erosion. King
County and Seattle
Public Utilities have useful information
on ways to make sure your garden is salmon-friendly.
9. When enjoying the outdoors, leave no trace
When hiking, boating, or biking take precautions to prevent erosion and leave no trace. Stay on
designated paths to prevent erosion and avoid hiking or swimming near areas where restrictions are
posted or where you see salmon in streams. Any human disturbance can cause substantial stress to fish
attempting to spawn, and may completely inhibit spawning during this vulnerable stage in the salmon
lifecycle. When camping, pack out all garbage and use biodegradable soap. Make sure your outdoor vehicles
are well maintained so they aren't leaking oil, gas and other chemicals that can pollute the waterways,
killing fish and other aquatic life. The Leave No Trace principles and more can be found at the
Leave No Trace website.
10. Restrict horses and pets from streamside area
Animals can trample sensitive stream banks, causing sedimentation and the destruction of native vegetation.
Bacteria from animal wastes can lead to water quality problems. Horses
for Clean Water is an organization
that promotes and educates people on environmentally-sensitive horse-keeping procedures. Keep animals away
from streams. When walking your pet around town, make sure to pick up its waste and dispose of it properly.
Follow these additional links for more information and ideas about how to lead a Salmon-Safe life:
Salmon:
Local/Sustainable Agriculture:
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