By LEAH WEATHERSBY

Saving salmon has been one of the Pacific Northwest's highest profile environmental challenges in recent years. When some people think of helping these native Northwesterners, ideas like better water quality and habitat restoration leap to mind. Another response to the crisis? Art. And lots of it.

The 1% for Art program mandates that a certain percentage of funds spent on Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities projects must go to art work. In this case, that adds up to $145,000 to be spent on 14 different projects in a series called "Salmon in the City." The opening event was held on Earth Day, April 22, and exhibits will be on display at different times over the course of the summer.

North Seattleites don't have to journey far afield to view "Salmon in the City" installations. Art lovers who make it to Carkeek Park by July 10 can view writer/photographer Natalie Fobes' "Salmon in the Trees" the project which is comprised of banners, much like Tibetan prayer flags, with photos and text about salmon.

Fobes, a former Phinney Ridge resident who now lives in West Seattle, said that after salmon die, their carcasses are dragged into the woods by scavengers.

"Each year, trees are fertilized when salmon return," said Fobes, explaining the inspiration for her project.

Forbes also wrote a book about salmon with co-authors Tom Jay and Brad Matsen called "Reaching Home: Pacific Salmon, Pacific People" which was published in 1994.

Laurelhurst artist James Pridgeon's installations at Jack Straw Productions and the University of Washington's Fisheries building are on display through July 30. "Salmon Song" at Jack Straw explores salmon DNA and features both an installation in the Media gallery and a set of continuous play monitors facing the street. "Industrial River," in the Fisheries Building, features a fish latter suspended among discarded nets, appliances and computer tape.

"This is an indicator species," Pridgeon said. "The fact that these fish are endangered says something about us."

Two other exhibits, "Hydrological Legends," a series of murals by Brad McCombs, and "Salmon Suite," poems by Judith Roche, will both be on display at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in July. "Hydrological Legends" ends July 9, while "Salmon Suite" can be heard on CD through July 30.

In addition, some works have already passed through North Seattle like the pedestrian-friendly fish bridge by Reis Niemi, which was on display at the University of Washington in May.

In June, many Fremont Solstice Parade attendees were lucky enough to catch the copper sculpture of a salmon by David Crow and John Foss which also doubled as a grill. Of course, there may have been some vegetarians in the audience who saw irony in saving the salmon - for the barbecue!

How much art will help salmon remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: it won't do a thing unless people go see it. (