Endangered Species Advocacy Workshop
I Just got back from an Endangered Species Advocacy Workshop hosted by Vicki Kaplan of Defenders of Wildlife. I was impressed by the 25 activists that showed up to take part in the workshop and the energy created by having so many activists gathered in one location working toward the common goal of protecting the Endangered Species Act.
Powerful special interests and their allies in Congress are working to weaken the Endangered Species Act.
Of the 25 people present today 3/4 were women. Three of the men present were fishermen, one guide, one representative of Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Association, and one representative of the Northwest Steelheaders.
Vicki Kaplan spoke on the issue and campaign overview. Guest speaker Nicole Cordan, of Save Our Wild Salmon, spoke on the topic of Salmon and the Endangered Species Act. Ivan Maluski, Sierra Club, and Keith Iding, from the DEQ talked about the importance of letters to the editor of your local newspapers. Shayna Kent, of The Fund for Public Interest Research gave a run down on grassroots tactics and hand written letters. Jennifer Sellers, Enviromental Services Group, Mason,Bruce,& Girard; ESA Advocate addressed the group on how to make phone trees work.
Of most importance was that Senator Ron Wyden needs to hear from as many people as possible that they value a strong Endangered Species Act. Our Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout can handle only so much habitat loss and degradation before they are history. The only way to protect endangered species is to protect their homes. Scientists, not politicians, know how to best protect species. Endangered species conservation is an Oregonian value, and we owe it to future generations. Letters and phone calls to Senator Wyden are needed to ensure the continued protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Supportive letters to the editors of your local newspapers on the topic are urgently needed to keep from having the ESA dismantled or weakened. Do you think we would have a fraction of the fish we have today if it were not for the ESA? Help ensure fish and their habitats in the future.
Mail your letters to: The Hon. Sen. Ron Wyden 230 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5244
Next up : Salmon 101
Saturday, April 9 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.- Portland: Jean Vollum Natural Capitol Center (Ecotrust building), 721 NW 9th
Are you fascinated by the salmon of the Northwest? Do you want to learn more about these big fish, and how to help them survive?
Then come to Salmon 101 on April 9. This all day symposium will feature speakers from the Northwest who have dedicated their careers to the survival of these wonderful fish. Hear the Native American perspective on this important species, how fishing can help save salmon, why we must continue to fight for the removal of the lower four Snake River dams, and how you can be a stronger advocate for this regional icon.
Speakers include:
* Paul VanDevelder - Author of the critically acclaimed book Coyote Warrior.
* Chuck Hudson - Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
* Nicole Cordan - Policy Director, Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition
* Trey Carskadon - President, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
* Glen Spain - Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
* And many more.
Suggested donation: $5. Lunch will be provided.
Presented by The Association of Northwest Steelheaders, The Sierra Club, The Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and Trout Unlimited
To RSVP for this event, email Paul Shively at paul.shively@sierraclub.org. Write "Salmon 101 RSVP" in subject line. See you there!
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Politics, industries, and our environment can make or break our fishing. We must be active, organized sport fishermen who will not be known for what we gave up or lost, but for what we did to prevent it. JoinANWS.org
Nwsteelheaders.org
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