Salmon in the Sandy | Wyld Works x The Freshwater Trust

Introduction

In our latest Wyld Works feature, we joined Daniel Baldwin, Restoration Project Manager from The Freshwater Trust (TFT), to explore the Sandy River Basin — a vital habitat for Oregon’s Chinook salmon. Together, we looked at how TFT's restoration work on he Sandy is helping bring balance back to this watershed and how Wyld Works helps make it possible.

Born and raised in Oregon, Wyld has always been deeply inspired by the Pacific Northwest forests, rivers, and mountains that we call home. Our partnership with The Freshwater Trust has been a point of pride for our Wyld Works project. We are excited for our customers and employees to learn more!

About The Freshwater Trust

The Freshwater Trust is a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring and protecting freshwater ecosystems across the Pacific Northwest. Their approach combines analytics, environmental science, policy reform, incentive-based solutions, and community partnerships to make river restoration efficient, sustainable, and scalable.

About Wyld Works

Wyld Works is Wyld’s social and environmental impact initiative. Our mission is simple: protect people and planet by funding and supporting nonprofits working in conservation, equity, and community well-being.

Through Wyld Works, we help organizations like TFT continue vital watershed restoration efforts — not just through direct funding, but also by amplifying their stories and inspiring action across industries.

Exploring the Sandy River Basin

The Sandy River flows from glacial melt on Mount Hood, down through the eastern outskirts of the Portland, Oregon metro, then intersects with the mighty Columbia River. Spring Chinook salmon swim about 145 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the mouth of the Sandy — then 45-55 miles further up the river basin to spawn — a migratory process that has been happening for thousands of years.

The Sandy River Basin provides cold, clean water and essential spawning habitat for Spring Chinook salmon. This area is crucial because it offers:

Natural gravel beds for spawning.
Cold tributaries for young Salmon rearing.
Easy Connectivity to the Columbia River.

Key TFT initiatives in the Sandy River Basin include:

Reintroducing large tree logs to rivers to restore natural flow patterns.
Planting native vegetation to stabilize banks and improve water quality.
Creating new side channels and removing barriers for safe fish passage

In the video linked below, Daniel Baldwin of TFT walks us through restoration work in action. These efforts strengthen river health and ensure salmon populations can thrive for generations to come.

The Life Cycle of the Spring Chinook

Spring Chinook salmon follow an incredible journey:
Egg → Fry → Smolt → Ocean → Adult Return

Egg – Laid in gravel nests (redds) in cold, clean riverbeds.
Fry – Hatch and remain in freshwater, feeding and growing.
Smolt – Adapt to saltwater and migrate downstream to the ocean.
Ocean Adult – Mature in the ocean.
Adult Return – Swim back upstream to spawn.

Every stage depends on healthy, connected rivers. Restoration projects like those in the Sandy Basin provide the cold water, shelter, and spawning grounds salmon need to survive. Without these interventions, future generations of salmon — and the ecosystems they support — are at risk.