Concrete Reasons is a documentary about Finlands migratory fish species and the despair of their river habitats. After the Second World War, Finland desperately needed to get back up on it’s feet and one of the solutions was hydro power. Environment wasn’t important as the rivers were harnessed for power. Cultures were lost and people seriously traumatised. We need to tell the stories that have been ignored for decades in the name of progress, disregarded due to energy production and the mere thoughtlessness of people. Many of the hydropower plant and river permits can be as old as a century, and are outdated due to the lack of political will and corruption. This ignorance has driven many of the Finnish migratory fish species to the brink of extinction, instead of being revitalized. It is extremely important to reveal the issues behind the devastating state of these species - These species reflect the abundance of nature and people but also regional and national endeavours of all kinds. As most of Finland’s migratory fish are in a devastating state – abused by lack of political will and corruption – the surroundings act the same. We want to encourage and promote the revitalization of these species, as well as the awareness of migratory fish species as a part of nature and society with a visual experience. AVAILABLE NOW ON: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/concretereasons English subtitles included. Producer: Risto Ruokola Directors: Risto Ruokola & Toni Kinnunen Cinematographers: Risto Ruokola & Toni Kinnunen Edit: Risto Ruokola Sound design: Toni Kinnunen Color grade: Risto Ruokola Made in association with: WWF Supporters: The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation Rapala Fund Virho ry

Less than six years ago, the second of two dams on the Elwha River, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, was taken out to provide access to the upper river located in the Olympic National Park. Since then, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation of the river – and of the wildlife that depend on it. Before the dams were installed in the early 1900s, the Elwha produced consistent and robust runs of salmon and steelhead and was a productive fishery. Afterwards, these runs dwindled almost to nothing. In fact, the river’s summer run of steelhead was almost extirpated. But taking out the dams paid immediate dividends for salmon and steelhead, which are now being found throughout the watershed. And summer steelhead, in particular, have staged an amazing comeback. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, summer steelhead have repopulated the Elwha in numbers unthinkable a few years ago. This film, from renowned filmmaker Shane Anderson, documents the return of summer steelhead to the Elwha, some of the key players who are studying the recovery of salmon and steelhead in this river, and what the Elwha’s recovery can tell us about large-scale river restoration projects in other places.

In Peru, the headwaters of the Amazon River cut through the Andes Mountains and help sustain resident communities as well as the most diverse ecosystem on Earth. As the energy demands of Peru increase, the currently free flowing Marañón River faces over 20 proposed dam projects, two of which have already been approved. Our international team spent 28 days rafting the Marañón while documenting the natural and cultural resources that would be eminently impacted by proposed dam projects.

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This fun video celebrates the best things about Northwest rivers, from a kid’s perspective. From sun rain, to waterfalls, to wild salmon, to time with mom, it’s the rivers that make the Northwest such a special place to live. Explore more about Northwest rivers at www.AmericanRivers.org/Northwest

Why did the salmon cross the road? Every fall in Western Washington the wild chum salmon of the Skokomish River lose their course from a river altered by humans.