Salmon Awareness Campaign Gives Out Cash In Smithers

 

In just over an hour on Friday July 3rd, about $2,100 disappeared from downtown Smithers. It wasn't a theft from a store, or a bank robbery though; it was part of an awareness campaign organized by the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust. A billboard, covered in five-dollar bills was erected on Main Strett and people were invited to take a bill, to reveal the campaigns message.  SkeenaWild Conservation Trust Executive Director Greg Knox says it was all part of an innovative plan to raise awareness; "To raise awareness about how important the wild salmon economy is to the skeena and the local communities.  And as you can tell from the message 100 million dollars in a significant economic driver for the entire watershed, especially now that we see a major downturn in forestry and mining and stuff. And we still have a healthy wild salmon economy which is benefiting all these stores along Main Street and in other communities."

Knox adds salmon play an important role in the region, not only from an economic standpoint, but also culturally. And it was with that in mind that the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust set forth with this campaign; "In the hopes that people will think about how they, how important they are to the watershed and decisions that are made around wild salmon and their habitat will be informed by their importance. And hoping that people will want to keep this economy and keep their culture alive well into the future."

This awareness campaign isn't aimed at any particular group; it's simply to get the message out there. "I think everybody has to take responsibility and think about the fish they harvest, how they harvest it, to ensure that they're not only, that they're protecting some of the smaller stocks that come into the Skeena because they're important for different people and different first nations in the watershed."

Some people stood by with puzzled looks, while others were more than happy to take the free money. Knox says event was a success.  "They were really, i think intrigued by the fact that you know money was being given away and didn't necessarily understand the concept until of course the message was revealed once many of the five dollar bills were pealed off. I think a lot of people will go out into the community, talk to their friends about the event and spread the word that way."

More information about the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust and what it's doing to protect wild salmon in the region, check out their website at http://www.skeenawild.org/

~Karin Koppitz, Smithers