Urban villages will have the added benefit of preventing harmful development outside of cities. Right now, many suburban areas still provide good habitat for salmon, steelhead, and other wildlife. Rather than further develop these areas and be forced, several years down the line, to spend money and effort to restore the habitat in and around them, we should work to protect these areas in the state that they currently exist. As we are seeing in Seattle, it is easier to protect habitat initially than restore it after it has been extensively developed. When we choose to use water at the right times and then only use what we need disposing of it thoughtfully, recycling where possible we can make a huge difference.
Individual choices influence and guide our collective choices.
Individuals can do a tremendous amount for salmon by taking ownership of their streams and getting their neighbors to work together to provide a safe and healthy community for people and wildlife and salmon. They must demand that leaders help them. For example, the City of Seattle bought and distributed low flow showerheads that saved energy, lots of money, and water. If we make it easy, people will respond in a big way. Consumers should be aware of where their food comes from and how it is produced.