Supporting Salmon-Safe Wines
BY JAMES NEVISON
Keeping waterways clean for salmon can be accomplished with care and commitment, and vineyards across the Pacific Northwest are doing just that through the Salmon-Safe program. Founded by the Pacific Rivers Council in Oregon in 1997, Salmon-Safe now works with farmers, developers and other environmentally mindful landowners, from British Columbia (BC) to California. The non-profit’s mission is “to transform land management practices so Pacific salmon can thrive in West Coast watersheds.” Reaching this goal means collaborating with businesses and organizations, including vineyards, whose operations could disrupt the sensitive waterways where salmon spawn. While the connection between clean water and wine may not be immediately apparent, consider the typical wine-growing landscape. Envision the postcard-perfect rows of vines reaching down to the water’s edge, along slopes offering picturesque sunrises and sunsets. Vineyards love the moderating climatic influence of waterways, be they rivers or lakes. And salmon live in many of these nearby waterways.
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