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Children's Book on Natural Indicators Annual Report Newsletter - Fall 2011

Yukon River Panel Sets Escapement Goals, Doles Out Grants

At its recent meeting in Anchorage, the Yukon River Panel agreed to continue interim escapement goals for king and fall chum salmon, and there was a commitment to meeting related harvest share agreements. In addition, the Panel allocated more than $US 1 million for salmon and habitat restoration and enhancement projects. Click here for more details.

Calendar of Upcoming Public Events

Take advantage of these opportunities to learn something new about your fishery, share your ideas and concerns, and give feedback about management. Click here to view the current calendar of events.

YRDFA Meets with Legislators on the River and in the Capital

It is essential to keep our legislators informed on what is happening with our fishery. YRDFA jumped at the chance to do so in person at the end of this winter, both at our annual meeting in Galena and through a recent trip to Juneau. We shared and learned some interesting things. Click here for more details.

YRDFA Board Passes 16 Resolutions

At its recent 22nd Annual Meeting in Galena, the YRDFA Board was on fire, passing resolution after resolution in the interest of protecting Yukon River fisheries. They covered bycatch, conservation, hatcheries, management strategies, mining, the marine environment, traditional knowledge, and many other timely topics. Click here for more details.

Watch New Video Interviews from YRDFA’s Founding Fathers

Spurred by declines in the salmon runs, in 1990 a contingent of lower river fishers traveled to the upper river for the first time to talk about sharing salmon. After that historic meeting in Galena, the next year an upper river delegation traveled to the lower river village of St. Mary’s to formally create the association known as YRDFA. With funds from the Alaska Humanities Forum, YRDFA was able to interview six people—Virgil Umphenour, Victor Lord, Richard Burnham, Lester Wilde, Harry Wilde, and John Lamont—who were either the initial founders of our organization or were there pretty early on in the process. We sought to document the hard work of fisheries leaders and young adults two decades past, and to gain insight. The salmon run is again in crisis; perhaps we can look to the past for solutions. Click here for more details. Disclaimer

Children’s Books & Teacher Toolkits on Natural Indicators on Sale Now

Long before sonars, counting tours, and management agencies, Yukon River Elders predicted the salmon runs. They observed the world around them—wind, birds, insects, fish, plants, water, weather, and even the moon—to determine when the salmon would come and how many would arrive. When Will the Salmon Come? Advice from Elders highlights this knowledge from the lower and middle river in a colorful, illustrated children’s book, and the knowledge is re-emphasized through a teacher toolkit. Click here for more details.