This is a project from Washington State University Cooperative Extension. There are now literally thousands of salmon-related websites "up" or under development. Agencies and organizations large and small are using websites to organize and publish information. Many of them provide extremely useful information, but there is no effort underway to coordinate or integrate these efforts, or assure that the information they contain is current. As a result, they mimic the overall disorganization reflected by the www at large. WSU-CE has a long history of providing science-based information pertinent to the needs of people who are actually doing things in the real world. These pages will present high-value content in a value-neutral context. Including information that directly addresses people's values. because that is where the ultimate discussion takes place - in peoples' hearts. All the reports and all the regulations laws can provide is a structure. In order to change the relationship between people and salmon it is most likely that we have to change the way people think and feel about salmon, and the way people act around salmon habitat, because we don't have the time or the tools to change the fish. We know this because we already tried to change the salmon, using a state-managed hatchery program that was begun just after the turn of the century, and even its most ardent supporters would hesitate to call it a success. From the point of view of this project, it is not important whether you are a party attempting to design the mitigation necessary to obtain permits for a real estate development that has the potential to adversely impact salmon habitat, or a party developing a community-based effort to block that development project in order to preserve an estuary or eel-grass bed. The goal of our project is to increase the likelihood of long term success in the restoration of native salmon runs on streams in our communities. The key to this success is most likely to be found through exploration of the processes people and communities can utilize to find agreement on hard issues that emerge when the needs of people and the needs of salmon collide. Hence - the Salmon Culture area of this website: a place to discuss and develop Salmon Culture. For the past 15 - 20 years people from many walks of life have become captivated by the leaping fish that are the icon of the pacific northwest. There are deep roots to Salmon Culture, based on experience that stretches back almost as long as the fish have been return ing to the rivers after the retreat of the ice sheet. We all have a lot to learn from one another. Joe Breskin Port Townsend, WA (360) 385 3771 airstream@olympus.net
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