Youth Salmon Protectors
YSP is a program of the Idaho Conservation League working to build a coalition of young people across the Northwest dedicated to honoring tribal treaties, breaching the 4 Lower Snake River dams, and saving wild salmon and steelhead.
The Issue
Wild Salmon & Steelhead Are Going Extinct
Wild anadromous fish are foundational to our Northwest identity. They sustain our Columbia River Basin ecosystem as keystone species on which 137 different animals depend. They have been integral to indigenous culture and religion for millennia. They are central to our rafting and ecotourism industries. And yet, due to four unnecessary dams, these fish, and everything they stand for, are going extinct. The status quo is not working, and time is running out. We demand bold political leadership to restore ecologically significant, harvestable populations of wild salmon and steelhead to the Snake River Basin.
Join the Youth Salmon Protectors
Solutions Together
Rep. Simpson's Proposal
In 2021 U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson’s proposal created a path forward for the Northwest and kickstarted conversations across the region. The proposal was bold, comprehensive, and urgently needed for Idahoans and salmon. Since then, as the grassroots movement grows to save salmon from extinction, so does the idea to remove the 4 lower Snake River dams and protect integral river ecosystems for people and species alike.
Connect With Us
What We're Up To
Boise High Students Pay Gov. Little a Visit
We presented at the "We Are Brave" summit and delivered over 700 postcards from all over Idaho asking Gov. Little to Free the Snake
Camping Trip at Lower Granite Dam
We didn't see any salmon, but we did see a lot of misinformation at the BPA office. It's time to remove these dams!
International Day of Action for Rivers
Banner drops in Portland (pictured), Vancouver, Bend, Boise, Pocatello, and Walla Walla.
Salmon Tag at Woodstock Elementary
Students at Woodstock School in Portland learned about Snake River salmon and wrote postcards to Sen. Merkley and President Biden.
Yoga For Good
We raised over $300 to save the salmon and got our morning workout in at Payette Brewing in Boise
Trivia Night at Lost Grove
Boise State folks educated and organized everyone at Lost Grove Brewing to write a postcard to save the salmon!
Swifties for Salmon Night
Taylor Swift karaoke was a blast while we made sheet banners and art to share with our community. Taytay would be proud.
December 10th Banner Drop
We are calling on Gov. Little and Sen. Crapo to take action to honor indigenous treaties and free the Lower Snake River.
Week of Action Postcard Delivery
We delivered nearly 300 postcards to Idaho's elected officials from our Week of Action postcard writing day.
Eastlake High Postcard Drive
Students in Sammamish, WA wrote over 100 postcards asking Sen. Murray to take decisive action and save Snake River salmon and Puget Sound orcas.
December Week of Action
The week of action with the Snake River Savers is over, but you can still participate in many of the actions we organized!
Fabric Patch Making at Roots
We invited the community to get creative with us! These pieces will be added to a giant banner in conjunction with One Stone School.
30th Anniversary of ESA Listing
To commemorate the listing of Sockeye salmon on the ESL, youth organized demonstrations across the Northwest.
Visit to Lowell Elementary
We presented to 6th graders at Lowell Elementary to talk about Simpson's plan, write postcards, and play salmon tag.