Backbone is honored and proud to have been part of the 2026 Free the Snake Flotilla organized by Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment and a coalition of other allies. This coalition has been working for years, building a movement to breach the four Lower Snake River dams in order to recover the massive habitat for wild salmon and other fish in order to restore abundance and avoid their extinction.

Team Backbone made the seven hour drive, from Vashon, Island to the Idaho side of the Lower Snake River, hauling a giant floating banner, our action boat, a giant inflatable salmon and more. We do this to support the essential leadership of the Nez Perce/Nimiipuu and other indigenous people whose cultures depend on and whose treaty rights guarantee their right to the continued survival of these species. 

Backbone's Solutionary Rail project developed the Rosalia to Pasco Shortline Access Corridor proposal to help facilitate the transition for farmers to move wheat by rail instead of barging. The fight to propel that vision forward needs your help. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson needs to hear from you. Let him know that the time to invest in this alternative system is now. Learn more at SolutionaryRail.org/rosalia2pasco

More amazing photos from the air, land and water on Flickr and below:
Free the Snake Flotilla, photos by Megan Mack with permission of Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment (from the water and on land) here.
Photos by Dana (water), Laura (land) and drone photographer (air) for Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment here.

Check out the great work of our friends at Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment at https://www.nimiipuuprotecting.org/

Free the Snake Flotilla 2026, photo by Laura Daughenbaugh, Backbone Campaign

Photo from Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment by Megan Mack. 

Drone photo used with permission of Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment. More below: