Webinar

Learn to Draw Coho Salmon

September 2026

Join us for our first Learn to Draw webinar of the 2026 school year! We explored one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic fish: Coho Salmon! From freshwater streams to the open ocean and back again, Coho Salmon undertake an incredible journey throughout their lives, playing an important role in the ecosystems they call home.

Scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi walked us through a detailed drawing of Coho Salmon and Arielle Koenig from the UBC Pacific Salmon Ecology Conservation Lab joined us to share more about their unique lifecycles, the important role they play in Pacific Northwest ecosystems, and the work being done to better understand and conserve this remarkable species.

Explore resources from the art lesson

Send your artwork to your local representative to help care for at-risk ecosystems. You can find your local representative here.
Call for a provincial law that prioritizes biodiversity and ecosystem health. You can send a letter using our letter-writing tool.
Learn how to say “salmon” in the language of the Indigenous community on whose territory you live. Visit FirstVoices.com to find words, songs and stories from different First Nations.
Learn more about Coho Salmon at the UBC Pacific Salmon Ecology Conservation Lab
Learn more about our education program.

Meet the Speakers

Dr. Julius Csotonyi

Dr. Julius Csotonyi is a scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist. He has a scientific background in ecology (MSc) and microbiology (PhD) which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountain parks to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

These experiences have fuelled a strong resolve to work toward preserving the earth’s biota. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biological diversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.

He paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums (e.g. the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History), press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets (e.g. the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post), and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. His work is viewable on his online gallery, http://csotonyi.com

Arielle Koenig

Arielle is a MSc student in the Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Lab at UBC studying how flood-control infrastructure impacts upstream fish habitat conditions, communities, growth and survival. She grew up fishing the rivers of the Bulkley and Skeena watersheds, driving her to study fisheries conservation. She is passionate about centering and uplifting Indigenous voices in fisheries management to strengthen Indigenous sovereignty.