Course Outline

  • 01

    Welcome & Introduction

    • Welcome Letter

    • Introduction Survey

    • Vocabulary & Terms

  • 02

    Wild & Scenic Rivers

    • IRU celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Act

    • Chapter Overview

    • Wild & Scenic Rivers Concepts

    • "Research Runs Through It": A Fresh Look at Wild & Scenic Rivers" - Forest Service Science Bulletin (read)

    • Criteria of Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) for MF of the Salmon River

    • "The Role of Wild & Scenic Rivers in the Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity" - Read this research article

    • WSR management on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, with Lisa Byers, river manager

    • Rob Lesser on WSRs Act - American Whitewater article

    • Adventure Scientists - Volunteer to collect data on Wild & Scenic Rivers

    • Wild & Scenic Rivers Chapter Quiz
  • 03

    Native American Voices & Cultural Preservation

    • Chapter Overview

    • Watch the video, "Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Home of the Tuka-Deka"

    • Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Salmon Ceremony Practices

    • Cultural Site Preservation & Land Acknowledgement Guidance

    • Review the highlighted sections of the "Historic Preservation Plan for the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness"

    • Watch the video called, "A Healing Journey" – by The Nimiipuu Canoe Project

    • Read "We Are the Same as the Salmon" & watch the "River of Return" short film
  • 04

    Middle Fork of the Salmon River Ecology

    • Chapter Overview

    • Read this research article, "Importance of salmon to wildlife: Implications for integrated management"

    • Keystone Species

    • Fish Species of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

    • Stanley Basin Facts & December 2020 Wild Salmon Returns

    • Maps of MF Salmon Chinook Redds (2009-2013)

    • Natural Resources & Invasive Species

    • Understanding the Endangered Species Act (watch video)

    • Reflection Prompt in Discussion Box
  • 05

    Salmon & Steelhead

    • Chapter Overview

    • Salmonid Life Cycle & History

    • Redd Information

    • Migration & Adaption Patterns: Homing, Straying, Olfactory Imprinting (IMPORTANT & AWESOME!)

    • 14 Key Points of MF Salmon & Steelhead - by Russ Thurow, Forest Service fish biologist

    • Salmon Recovery Article & Audio Interview w/ Russ Thurow

    • Watch this webinar from Forest Service MF Salmon Biologist, Russ Thurow. (May 2024)

    • Critical Habitat Needs & Migration Maps

    • Read, "Sharing the River with Chinook" (from the Forest Service)

    • Look at the MF Salmon Abundance Estimates (June 2020)

    • Explore the "SalmonScape" Interactive Map (WA state)

    • Bull Trout Information (Endangered/Threatened Species)

    • Orca Whales & Salmon
  • 06

    Barriers to Salmon & Steelhead Recovery

    • Chapter Overview

    • Watch a short Patagonia Film called "Free the Snake: Restoring America's Greatest Salmon River"

    • Climate Change in the Columbia River basin

    • Read the article, "Global Warming Is Pushing Pacific Salmon to the Brink, Federal Scientists Warn," (Inside Climate News, 2019)

    • Skim this Press Release from the EPA (temperature plan for Snake & Columbia Rivers)

    • Fish Hatcheries

    • Equitable Harvest of Salmon & Steelhead (read & explore website)

    • Read this article on the Lower Snake Dam Removal (Seattle Times)

    • Mounting Pressure to breach LSRD

    • Reflection Assignment
  • 07

    Dams & Economics

    • Chapter Overview

    • Watch this 5 minute video: "The Ariel Perspective - Lower Snake River"

    • Salmon & Public Lands

    • Map & Graphics of Dams

    • Bonneville Power Administration - Power Benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams

    • Northwest Power & Conservation Council - Progress & Performance

    • Factors for Dam Removal Decisions

    • Earthjustice Lawsuit: Intent to Sue Bureau of Rec., Army Corps, & Bonneville Power Admin (10/2020)

    • Read the article, "The Elwha’s Living Laboratory: Lessons From the World’s Largest Dam-removal Project"

    • The Murray - Inslee report

    • Reflection Assignment: Solutions and where do you stand?
  • 08

    Interpretive Talk/Presentation Ideas & Resources

    • Example of a Letter to the Editor

    • "World's Greatest Moms" – Example of the Salmon Life Cycle through Storytelling

    • Example of a 3 minute (spoken) or emailed comment for the Idaho Governor's Workgroup

    • Example of Salmon Life Cycle Lesson (grades 7-12)

    • Example of Salmon Art Project

  • 09

    Optional Extra Resources

    • Education & Entertainment from Idaho Rivers United

    • Free film, "Wild Reverence: The Wild Steelhead's Last Stand"

    • Watch the film, "Guardians of the River"

    • Articles, Data, Graphics

    • Read this article, "How Long Before These Salmon Are Gone?" (NY Times)

    • Resources from Dam Sense

    • Fish Identification Website

    • The Pacific Salmon Treaty of 1985 - US & Canada

    • Breaching Extinction Podcast - Remove Dams, Save the Orcas, Salmon & Money

    • Pacific Salmon Coloring Book (downloadable)

    • Adopt a River Mile on the Columbia

    • Stewardship News from American Whitewater

    • River & Environmental Quotes (from Wild & Scenic website)

    • Salmon footage at Sulphur Creek on Middle Fork in 1955 (scroll to bottom of the web page for YouTube video)

    • Pebble Mine Podcast