As people who love the natural wonders of the British Columbia coast, we were delighted to see killer whales, a spirit bear and the “salmon forest” in the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
It was a spectacular show, and it was refreshing to see this coastal rainforest world portrayed as a part of Canada.
We don’t know if it was a happy accident or with informed purpose, but when the images of the salmon climbed the giant trees during that show, it perferctly represented the “salmon forest”. This is based on recent research by UVic biologist Dr. Tom Reimchen that shows the salmon literally feeds these awesome forests.
