09/27/2026
Today is World Rivers Day! This is the perfect opportunity to take some time with the little ones to reflect on rivers, their ecosystems, and how they help keep the land we all share healthy. To celebrate this day, we’re looking at I Am the Elwha, a book published by Strong Nations Publishing.
The Elwha River flows 72km (45 miles) from its source in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest. Uniquely, it hosts all six salmon species (Pink, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Chum) as well as several species of trout.
In 1911, two dams were built on the river. The dams blocked the migration routes of the salmon and dramatically altered the entire river ecosystem for 100 years. In 2012, the dams were decommissioned and the world’s largest dam removal and habitat restoration project began. In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated book, the author chronicles the history of the Elwha.
Narrated by the powerful voices of plants and animals that inhabit the river ecosystem, the dam builder, a worker, members of the Klallam Tribe, and the river itself, this story celebrates the ongoing rewilding of this special environment and offers a welcome to all the creatures who are coming home.
You can find this book at https://www.strongnations.com/store/11132/i-am-the-elwha-pb.
