Environmental Stewardship Initiatives
Stoney Creek Restoration
Restoration of Stoney Creek has been a longtime commitment for us. The stream was once barren of salmon, but thanks to the efforts of Stoney Creek Environment Committee volunteers and their community partners, the stream has transformed into a vibrant fish habitat, and the salmon return to spawn here every year.
In April 2007, our staff and community partners removed woody debris and refuse that had accumulated in the creek during the previous winter's storms, providing easier passage for fish. We also engaged students from the Stoney Creek Community school to plant native trees and shrubs after community partners had removed invasive Himalayan blackberries from an area along the creek. In the fall of 2010, a second area was cleared of invasive species and replanted with native species, and we brought the 'Stream of Dreams' eco-education project to students at the school. The project was dedicated to memory of a longtime stream keeper, Jennifer Atchison, and educated students about watersheds, rivers, and streams and how to keep them clean and prevent storm drain runoff into these areas.
In addition to the core benefit of improving wildlife habitat, the Stoney Creek project will continue to provide educational benefits to children, so they can learn about preserving our waterways and the importance of working together on environmental conservation. Media Release
Raft River Bank Stabilization and Instream Habitat Enhancement
The Raft River project, our ongoing conservation initiative near Clearwater, B.C, received WHC re-certification in the Wildlife at Work category in 2011. The project involved stabilizing over 700m of river bank to prevent erosion and enhance habitat for fish. In September 2011, we participated in the Raft River interpretive program led by our community partners: Simpcw First Nation, the District of Clearwater and the Clearwater Skills Centre. The program included a three-day event that taught elementary school students about salmon and the importance of preserving fish habitat for future generations.
The children also learned about the Simpcw First Nation's history and built and painted bird and bat houses. Jason Turner, our environment specialist, talked to children about bats and the important role they play in the ecosystem. More than 300 elementary school students attended the event. Next year's program will focus on wildlife and freshwater fisheries and will include building two osprey nesting platforms. Media Release
Rattlesnake Habitat Enhancement
In 2010, we completed rattlesnake habitat enhancement near Suffield, Alberta. Declining numbers of the Prairie Rattlesnake in Alberta suggest that the species may be at risk due to habitat loss and human activity. The project involved construction of a den, or hibernacula, important to rattlesnake survival in the winter. It also included a safety aspect aimed at educating our staff and contractors who may encounter the animals during their day-to-day pipeline activities. In 2011, the project was certified by WHC in the Wildlife at Work category. Media Release
Saar Creek Restoration Project
In November 2011, about 40 Barrowtown Elementary School students helped plant native trees and shrubs along the banks of Saar Creek on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford. The planting is part of a restoration project that we initiated in partnership with the Abbotsford Soil Conservation Association, and the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition, with contributions from the City of Abbotsford.
Saar Creek flows through highly productive agricultural land, and because the area has been farmed for decades, the stream has lost much of its natural values. Restoration aims to re-establish the stream's natural habitat without compromising agricultural production that is so important in the region. It will help improve water quality and flood control, provide habitat for birds, small animals and fish, and protect the stream banks from erosion. In addition to improving the stream's natural habitat, the project adds an educational value by providing an outdoor classroom setting for students.
Read more about this project:
Abbotsford News article
2012 FVWC Winter Newsletter
