A forest disturbance ecologist from Prince George, B.C., Michelle Connolly dedicates her time to safeguarding forest ecosystems from industrial impact. Currently, Connolly has swapped her hiking boots for swim fins, joining a relay team that is swimming the 1,375-kilometre stretch of the Fraser River to raise awareness about protecting the Fraser rivershed. The Fraser Riverkeeper Society, organizing the swim, describes the Fraser as one of the world’s significant salmon-bearing rivers and a last major wild river globally.
By immersing herself in the river daily, Connolly gains a new perspective on the conservation efforts surrounding the Fraser River and its surrounding lands. Naomi Devine of the Fraser Riverkeeper Society and Isabelle Côté, a marine ecology professor at Simon Fraser University, are also part of the core team. The swimmers are retracing the route taken by Fin Donnelly during his swims in 1995 and 2000, with Donnelly, the leader of the Fraser Riverkeeper Society, offering support on the current journey.
The ongoing expedition aims to protect 30% of the Fraser rivershed by 2030, as only 17.6% is currently safeguarded despite its ecological, cultural, and economic significance. Donnelly emphasizes the importance of collaboration with rights and title holders to achieve the 30% protection goal. With the decline of salmon populations and increasing habitat fragmentation due to industrial development, the Fraser River faces challenges exacerbated by climate change impacts such as warmer waters, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
Since starting at Tête Jaune Cache on August 7, the swimmers, averaging about 40 kilometers daily, have covered approximately 500 kilometers in 11 days, with the final leg scheduled for September 4 at Garry Point Park in Richmond. The swimmers face various conditions, from cold Upper Fraser waters to hot days, encountering wildlife and navigating through rapids along the way. When the river becomes too rough, they board rafts for safety.