Reflection

Reflection

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest—between Vancouver, Canada, and Washington State—I always loved visiting salmon hatcheries every fall. Watching the salmon swim upstream was magical, but it wasn’t until recently that I understood the impact of human-made dams on their journey. In the Columbia River Basin, over 40% of the historic salmon habitat is now blocked, and on the Snake River, wild Chinook returns have dropped by more than 90%. This realization led me to explore local conservation efforts, and it inspired my artwork. In my painting, you see a dam transforming into a vibrant, glowing forest—symbolizing both the obstacles salmon face and the hopeful future we can create. In the center, I’m riding a salmon upstream, reaching out toward another leaping fish. It’s my way of showing my commitment to their journey and my belief that we can work together to protect and restore their habitats. With this piece, I hope to raise awareness about the challenges salmon face and inspire others to join in conservation efforts, ensuring a hopeful future for these incredible creatures.