Mushing to help save Bristol Bay Salmon

CUMBERLAND, WI – Alaska mushers Tim Osmar and Monica Zappa are competing in the UP 200 race, Feb. 16-20, with two 8-dog teams. They are the only Alaskans among the registered racers.  Along with a win on the trail, they’re mushing to raise awareness of the serious threats to the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery from a massive open-pit mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed. Osmar is a veteran musher who has won the Yukon Quest and completed the legendary Iditarod 23 times. Zappa, originally from Cumberland, Wis., is an up and coming musher who learned the sport growing up in the Midwest.Both have decked out their gear – including their truck, dog boxes, sleds, parkas and all of their dogs’ coats – in No Pebble Mine and Save Bristol Bay decals. The mushers, both commercial salmon fishermen, plan to donate a share of any winnings to the Save Bristol Bay campaign.   Read Full Story