Over the past few months, Youth Salmon Protectors (YSP) have continued our tireless advocacy for the removal of the lower Snake River dams to save salmon and steelhead from extinction. This year, our primary focus has been expanding our coalition and advancing salmon conservation through a variety of efforts, including social media campaigns, public art installations, direct action, and community education.
One of our most exciting developments this summer has been the launch of the Youth Salmon Protectors Advocacy Program. This program is designed to connect YSP members across the Pacific Northwest, establish new YSP chapters, and engage more high school and college students in this work. Our goal is to build a strong community around salmon conservation, while giving students a platform to voice their concerns about our rapidly changing environment. As part of this initiative, students can apply to become Student Coordinators, tasked with starting a YSP chapter on their campuses. These coordinators lead the charge by educating their peers, advocating for dam removal, meeting with elected officials, and visiting elementary schools to inspire the next generation of Youth Salmon Protectors.
The success of the YSP Advocacy Program has been incredible. So far, we’ve met with 15 teams who are starting salmon conservation clubs at their schools. In just a few months, YSP has expanded to include chapters at one junior high school, four high schools, and five college campuses across Oregon, Idaho, and Washington! This rapid growth is a testament to the determination of young people to see these dams come down and salmon come home. Given the chance, students consistently rise to the occasion and make their voices heard. YSP is proud to offer this opportunity to students across the country, supporting them as they organize and make a difference in their communities.
In addition to the Advocacy Program, YSP has been fortunate enough to receive a grant from the City of Boise, awarded through the Youth Climate Action Fund by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Boise was selected for funding to support youth-led climate projects, and YSP is honored to be a part of that initiative. Our grant will be used to install a mural at the Boise Watershed, creating a meaningful space for school tours to connect with students on a deeper level. Taelyn Baiza, a Youth Salmon Protector and ICL’s Artist in Residence, is designing the mural, which will depict Boise’s watershed along with native plants and animals, showcasing the essential role water plays in Idaho’s environment.
Looking ahead, we have even more exciting projects on the horizon. Our upcoming Get Out The Vote campaign for the next election is just one of many initiatives. We’ll also be meeting with congressional representatives to discuss clean energy and salmon conservation, alongside several events and direct actions planned over the next few months.
Be sure to follow @YouthSalmonProtectors on Instagram to stay up to date with our Advocacy Program, the Boise Watershed mural, and all of our upcoming events.
Another way to support YSP and youth environmental activism in Idaho? Make a donation to ICL today in honor of YSP!