The Salmon Journey brings the story of the Chinook salmon and the Yuba River to children across Northern California — a story of resilience and interdependence, told through an original bilingual song, twelve hand-painted illustrations, an animated film, and hands-on workshops that connect kids to the river, to their own resilience, and to each other.
The Salmon Journey began with a $37,000 grant from the Nevada Arts Council, which brought this project to life through intergenerational workshops across Nevada and Yuba County — including an opening celebration at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, a major environmental film festival in Nevada City.
Now, we’re going beyond the grant — so more children, schools, and communities can experience this journey.
Not every school can afford to bring this experience to their students. That’s where you come in.
Your sponsorship directly funds:
You’re not just making a donation. You’re making it possible for a child who might never see a salmon in person to understand, through art and music, why this river — and every river like it — matters.
Named, like the salmon’s own journey, from the very beginning to the place it all began.
The beginning of the journey. Supporters at this level will receive a private download link to the animated Salmon Journey song video, plus an original illustration card as our thank-you — a small piece of the story, made possible by you.
Fully funds one complete workshop for a school that couldn’t otherwise afford it. Supporters will receive the same private video download link, along with a set of three illustration cards.
Enough to bring the Salmon Journey to two or three classrooms — or pair a workshop with the full educational package. Supporters will receive the complete boxed set of all twelve original illustration cards.
Supports an entire school, or a small district-wide reach. Supporters will receive a larger illustration print, ready to frame, along with a Salmon Journey puzzle.
Our flagship level of support — helping the Salmon Journey travel further into communities across Northern California for an entire season. Supporters will receive a co-branded Salmon Journey calendar and a personal video message of thanks.
Physical gifts are made to order after each donation — please allow up to two weeks for delivery.
The next phase of the Salmon Journey brings this work to schools, community centers, museums, and cultural institutions across Northern California and beyond:
There’s another way to be part of the Salmon Journey. Do you represent an environmental organization, museum, or company with your own community of supporters?
Beyond donating to the fund above, you can also bring the Salmon Journey’s artwork directly to your people — as gifts for your donors, members, or team, or as items in your own gift shop or store.
We offer illustration cards, boxed card sets, puzzles, and a Salmon Journey calendar at partner pricing, with your organization’s branding included on request. It’s a way to share something beautiful with the community you already serve, while supporting original, locally made art.
Contact us to talk about how your gift can help bring the Salmon Journey to a school near you.
We are all — like the salmon — on a journey. And together, we thrive.