The Cause
Salmonfest is a Hub that Supports all Salmon Related Causes and then Some!
Salmon is one of the iconic species of Alaska and while protecting the great runs of Bristol Bay has been our primary focus over the years, we support a variety of causes year-round. Since 2015, Salmonfest has donated over $300,000 to salmon-related initiatives across Alaska. One of the festival’s standout features is the ‘Salmon Causeway,’ where guests can learn about, engage with, and take action on important issues facing Alaska and the communities in which they live. Additionally, Salmonfest is committed to minimizing waste by aiming to transform all discarded materials into resources for other uses. To support this mission, we use steel pints in our beer tents, compostable serving dishes and cutlery, and prioritize sourcing local goods and services whenever possible. To learn more about Salmonfest’s giving or to become a recipient organization, please email info@salmonfestalaska.org.
Organizations Salmonfest has Contributed to…
Additional Groups Salmonfest has Supported…
Salmonfest Supports Spotlight: Ninilchik Food Pantry
Since 2023, Salmonfest and ARCHES Alaska have teamed up to fund and operate the Ninilchik Food Pantry at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds to combat hunger on the south peninsula. Our staff collects food donations from local supermarkets like Safeway and distributes them to folks in need. The pantry is open at the fairgrounds every Monday from noon until the food is gone. For those who cannot get to the fairgrounds, we also offer a delivery service. To learn more or to request assistance, please contact 907.567.3670 or email info@archesalaska.org
Salmonfest Launches The Ray Troll Legacy Scholarship
For decades, Ray Troll has been a cornerstone of the Alaskan and global art scene, creating a legacy of humor, creativity, and thought-provoking work from his studio in Ketchikan. Drawing inspiration from natural history, archaeology, marine life, and the totems of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, Ray’s art captures the imagination and educates audiences worldwide. His work—smart, irreverent, and deeply resonant—can be found in museums, galleries, and, of course, on iconic T-shirts.
In a world increasingly dismissive of academic pursuits, knowledge, and compassion, Ray’s art stands as a beacon of curiosity and understanding. Salmonfest, formerly Salmonstock, was honored to have Ray as its resident artist for over a decade. In celebration of this enduring friendship and our shared commitment to the arts and the protection of vital ecosystems, we are proud to announce the Ray Troll Scholarship.
This scholarship is designed to support graduating high school seniors planning to pursue careers in art and/or conservation. Additional details and eligibility requirements will be shared soon, but we encourage all interested students to apply. For more information, email info@salmonfestalaska.org.
Thank you, Ray, for your incredible contributions and for inspiring a new generation of Alaskan artists and conservationists.
Since 2011, Salmonfest—originally known as Salmonstock—has collaborated with frontline organizations to protect and preserve Bristol Bay, home to the world’s largest wild salmon fishery. This mission resonates strongly in Alaska, where over 60% of residents oppose the Pebble Mine project. The reason is clear: healthy fish and wildlife habitats are essential to healthy human environments. Vital ecosystem services like water filtration, flood control, and food chain productivity all stem from robust natural habitats. In fact, natural resource economists have valued healthy ecosystems at trillions of dollars, underscoring that a thriving ecosystem is not only priceless but crucial for the well-being of our families, communities, and economy.
Despite the fact that in 2014 the EPA issued the Proposed Determination to enact Section 404 (c) that would provide protections for the Bristol Bay watershed, the issue was, after a series of lawsuits and rulings by the Trump administration, back in the public arena in 2018. Despite the fact that the EPA received over a million comments in favor of implementing and upholding Bristol Bay and watershed restrictions, EPA Director Scott Pruitt announced the suspension of the 404 (c) Proposed Determination.
Pebble Partnership thus ramped up its permitting process and filed an application with the Army Corps Of Engineers. Nevertheless, the EPA’s Section 404 (c) authority remains on the table. (The proposed Pebble Mine will generate 10 billion tons of toxic mine waste that will have to be treated for thousands of years, an obvious absurdity and ultimate disaster waiting to happen.
This mine waste and the entire Pebble project is a direct and existential threat to the dynamic wild salmon habitat and annual runs that are at the heart of the Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Alutiiq cultures. Pebble Mine will undermine their traditional way of life that has been sustained on the lands, rivers, and waters of the regions for 10,000 years. In addition, the Bristol Bay fishery provides a healthy and sustainable source of wild salmon that remarkably supplies up to 40% of the world’s sockeye/red salmon market. The Bristol Bay salmon fishery is the economic engine of the entire region and generates an estimated $1.5 Billion in revenue as well as supporting over 14,000 jobs. Moreover, Alaska is responsible for 75% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. and is worth $16 billion annually. It also creates 100,000 U.S. jobs and is a crucial source of protein providing 12.9 billion servings to hungry populations each year.
Read More on The Cause
“The wrong mine in the wrong place.” Senator Ted Stevens
PBS Frontline on the battle over Bristol Bay.
Crushing Alaska’s Pebble Mine
This Alaska mine could generate $1 billion a year. Is it worth the risk to salmon?
Why Alaska residents are fighting against a billion-dollar mine project
Bristol Bay advocates push for new Pebble Mine assessment
Salmonfest is deeply saddened and disappointed to announce that the 2020 festival will be rescheduled for August 6th-8th, 2021
Salmonfest is deeply saddened and disappointed to announce that the 2020 festival will be rescheduled for August 6th-8th, 2021. As a festival built around fish, love, and music, we try our hardest to think about everyone involved, especially the residents of Alaska,...
Unifying the Public to Preserve and Protect Alaska’s Salmon
Once a Russian settlement dating back to the early 1800’s, Ninilchik currently stands as a must-visit Alaska destination featuring stunning scenery and ample outdoor activities. Outdoor enthusiasts will love locations like Ninilchik State Recreation Area and Deep Creek State Recreation Area, which offer opportunities for sightseeing, claiming, hiking, and more. Visitors should stop by the town’s famous Russian Orthodox Church that’s more than two centuries old, and the town’s most distinctive building.