City of Coquitlam

Society Provides 2025 Update to Coquitlam Council

Kyle Uno and Tyler Storgaard in the council chambers at Coquitlam City Hall.

On April 13, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was pleased to return to Coquitlam City Hall to provide an update on our work and progress over the past year.

Representing the Society were Kyle Uno and Tyler Storgaard, who delivered a concise and informative presentation highlighting key achievements, ongoing initiatives, and future priorities.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Acting Mayor and Council for the invitation and the opportunity to share this update. The discussion was both productive and encouraging, and we greatly appreciated the thoughtful and constructive feedback provided.

A Milestone Year for HSWS

One of the most significant highlights shared during the presentation was that in 2025, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society officially became a registered charity. This milestone strengthens our ability to expand our impact, enhance fundraising efforts, and continue protecting and restoring the local watershed for future generations.

Progress in Restoration and Planning

Over the past year, our team and volunteers have completed meaningful riparian restoration work along Hoy Creek, helping to improve habitat conditions for salmon and other species that rely on a healthy watershed.

We also introduced early plans for a future hatchery building. Our current facility has served the community well but is nearing the end of its lifespan. Looking ahead, a new hatchery will help ensure the long-term sustainability of our salmon enhancement and education programs.

Strong Partnership with the City

Our ongoing partnership with the City of Coquitlam continues to be a cornerstone of our work. Support and collaboration with the City enable us to advance key initiatives, engage the community, and care for important natural spaces like Hoy Creek.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our progress and vision, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.

For those interested in more details, additional information shared with Council can be viewed here:

Kyle Uno, HSWS President and Tyler Storgaard, VP and Hatchery Manager

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society Announces 2025 Board of Directors

President Kyle Uno (right) delivers a Year in Review at AGM on Sept. 24. The meeting was hybrid for society members.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 24, 2025, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following president, treasurer and directors:

  • President – Kyle Uno (second term)

  • Treasurer – Sandra Uno (second term)

  • Director - Anne Woosnam (past secretary, assistant hatchery manager)

  • Director - Kim Mayes (reappointment)

  • Director - Matthew Watts (reappointment)

The above mentioned join the existing board members:

  • Vice President – Tyler Storgaard (final year of second term, and hatchery manager)

  • Secretary – Robbin Whachell (final year of first term, past director, past president)

The AGM highlighted a Year in Review for the society which highlighted:

  • 20K chum fry/smolts; 17K coho fry

  • Salmon in the Classroom releases

  • Habitat restoration project on Hoy Creek 

  • Public education and awareness: Festivals and Tours

  • Instream water quality monitoring

  • Invasive species removal: Touch-me-knot, Policeman’s Helmet 

  • Spawner survey data

  • Challenges: Break-ins, poaching 

  • New charity status

A Year in Review at our AGM on Sept. 24 at the Poirier Branch of the Coquitlam Library.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Treasurer, Sandra Uno delivers the Financial Overview. In 2025 the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society became a Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001




Atmospheric River Helps Salmon Come Home

Youth volunteers introduce our Coho fry to the public in front of the rearing pond at Salmon Come Home on Oct. 27 (HSWS Photo)

The positive impact of recent rainfalls provided the necessary flows for salmon to reach their spawning grounds throughout the watershed. The Salmon Come Home event on October 27 was a wonderful celebration of this remarkable species, bringing together our team, community, and sponsors to honour their incredible journey.

As we rejoice in their return, it’s crucial to recognize the challenges they face. Human and pet traffic through creek beds can disturb sensitive spawning areas, and pollution events pose significant threats to their survival. Additionally, erosion from heavy storms can release fine sediments that suffocate eggs (redds).

Let’s continue to protect these vital habitats and ensure that our salmon have a safe journey home. Thank you for your support!

Maple Creek Streamkeepers and the salmon dissection table kept so many residents engaged and educated. (HSWS Photo)

What an amazing day at the festival! So many Coquitlam residents joined Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and the City of Coquitlam to celebrate the incredible journey of the salmon. A huge shoutout to our volunteers, and our sponsors, Qualex-Landmark and FortisBC, continued support from Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program; and all the community groups who shared their knowledge and passion for nature.

We were truly blessed to witness so many salmon in the stream—an inspiring reminder of the resilience of nature. Together, we can continue to protect and appreciate these beautiful creatures.

Check out our photos and relive the magic! ps. We are grateful by the media visit from CityNews TV.

Etienne Siew, a former hatchery volunteer serenaded us throughout the festival. (HSWS Photo)

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard holds a live Chum salmon to show the public during the DFO Salmon Talks.

2024 AGM and Elections Held

Kyle Uno, President delivers a Year in Review at our AGM on Sept. 25 at the Poirier Branch of the Coquitlam Library.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following vice president, secretary and new directors:

  • Vice President – Tyler Storgaard (second term, hatchery manager)

  • Secretary – Robbin Whachell (past director, past president)

  • Director (past secretary, assistant hatchery manager)

  • Director - Kim Mayes (reappointment)

  • Director - Matthew Watts (reappointment)

  • Director - Annie Kim

The above mentioned join the existing executive:

President - Kyle Uno

Treasurer - Sandra Uno

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

President Kyle Uno (right) speaks at AGM on Sept. 25. The meeting was hybrid for society members.


Tackling Invasive Touch-Me-Nots in Our Watershed

Near the Hoy Trail head by Douglas College.

On July 13 and 24 a few volunteers from the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society gathered to take on an important task: managing the spread of an invasive plant species known as the Smallflower Touch-me-not (Impatiens parviflora). Originally from Asia, this plant has made its way into our local ecosystem, where it poses a threat to native flora and the overall health of our watershed.

Armed with gloves and a commitment to stewardship, our team focused on removing the invasive Touch-me-nots from the area. Fortunately, the roots of this species grow close to the surface, making it relatively easy to pull out and remove. Our efforts were met with success, thanks to the hard work of Anne, Adela, and Robbin, who put in valuable volunteer hours to help protect our local environment.

The Smallflower Touch-me-not is a fast-growing plant that can outcompete native vegetation, especially in moist, shaded areas like the understory of our forests. Its rapid spread disrupts the balance of our local ecosystems, impacting the plants and animals that depend on them. To learn more about this invasive species and the challenges it poses, visit the BC Invasive Species Council’s page on the Smallflower Touch-me-not here.

Efforts like this invasive plant removal are crucial in maintaining the health of our watersheds. By preventing the spread of invasive species, we help protect the native plants that are vital to our local ecosystem.

Thank you to our volunteers for your time and effort! Every plant pulled is a step toward a healthier, more balanced environment.

Hoy Trail north of the rearing pond on July 24.

Working with Park Spark (City of Coquitlam) along with Broombusters and the Talitha Koum Society on June 28, we learned about Touch-Me-Nots for the first time. We also pulled English Ivy at this location north of the hatchery off Pinewood.

Rearing Pond Salvage Saves Crayfish, Lamprey and Coho

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society conducted our annual rearing pond salvage on May 29.

Coho smolts were released on May 18. The floor boards were removed. The water drained from the pond leaves lots of discoveries for invertebrates and crustaceans like crayfish, stoneflies and lamprey. We found crayfish, coho fry and smolts and caddis fly. All were released into the stream.

Thanks to our volunteers who helped out.

After the salvage, the City of Coquitlam arranges for the pond mud and sediment to be removed via McCrae's Environmental Services (a vacuum truck), and then the pond will be pressure washed and floorboards returned. The creek water will then be reintroduced to make way for the transfer of Coho fry from the hatchery.

This year our back pond area will also be cleaned.

A final look in the rearing pond before dark.

Another Paint Spill Reported in Hoy Creek

No photo was available of the spill on Feb. 15. This photo is from a PREVIOUS spill at the same location.

Unfortunately, yet another paint spill has been reported in Hoy Creek. This time, the incident was observed at the inflow area off Walton Ave. The City of Coquitlam responded to the call, dispatching staff from the Sewer & Drainage and Environment departments to investigate the situation.

According to the City's report, the call came in around 12:30 pm on Feb. 15, with the caller describing a cloudy, white substance in the creek. Upon arrival, staff took turbidity and pH samples at the outfall, which indicated that the creek was within normal water quality ranges. Flowlink data also showed normal turbidity and pH values, and fish were sighted swimming near the outfall. Furthermore, the cloudy substance had dissipated within 30 minutes.

Upon visual inspection, staff suspected the discharge to be a diluted latex-paint substance. Despite efforts to locate the source, including a patrol through the catchment area and inspection of catch basins, no paint source could be identified. Additionally, no newly painted homes were observed in the vicinity.

Call for Public Reporting
The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society urges the public to report any spills or unusual odors near waterways. If you witness a spill or detect something unusual, please report it promptly to the proper authorities. For contact information, please visit the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society's website's contact page.

 

 

 

Society Participates in CRWS Event

Matt and Tyler representing Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (CRWR Photo)

Thanks to Matthew Watts and Tyler Storgaard for repping us at the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable hosted, "Vital Signs: Checking our Watershed’s Health," at Douglas College in Coquitlam on Nov. 2.

The event had presentations from Community Partners, including City of Coquitlam, Kwikwetlem
First Nation and Living Resources Environmental Consultants. HSWS hosted an information booth and attended the presentations.

While our Society did not present we were able to talk about our work and field questions one on one during the event.

We’d like to thank the Coquitlam River Watershed Society for the invite and engaging atmosphere.

Participants of the Watershed Health symposium in Coquitlam

Chum Arrive for Salmon Come Home

Left to right: Kyle Uno, President, HSWS; Councilor John Peters, KFN; and Rodney Lee, DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

Held in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, the Salmon Come Home festival returned to its traditional layout and format around the Hoy Creek Hatchery on Oct. 22. The weather was mild and enjoyable as the rains held off.

The event celebrates the return of the salmon and the chum had only just been spotted in the stream a few days prior.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) would like to thank Kwikwetlem First Nation councilor, John Peters who provided a welcome to open the festivities, along with the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Kyle Uno.

Entertainer, Angela Brown in hat and rainbow cape is an annual favourite with her stories and costume parade. (Photo: HSWS)

The event was very well attended by other environmental groups and residents enjoyed educational displays, stories and a dress-up parade with Angela Brown and her nylon zoo, musical entertainment by Ruel Morales and Elaina Buenaventura, carvings by Indigenous storyteller, Simon Winadzi Jamesler and Creative Art Cart programs by J Peachy Gallery and crew from Red Fox Society.

A big highlight was seeing live salmon for brief seconds during a talk provided by DFO community advisor, Isaac Nelson, assisted by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

Thanks to Jay Peachy and Friends who put on a pancake breakfast with proceeds supporting the Society.

Thanks also to Radio-Canada / CBC French who came out and featured the event in their newscast that evening.

A great time was had by all!

Children of all ages marvel at the live Coho salmon held by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard during a talk by DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

View Facebook photo album

2023 AGM and Elections Held

Meet our executive team for the next year! Left to right: Kim Mayes, Director; Robbin Whachell, Director; Tyler Storgaard, Vice President; Matthew Watts, Director; Sandra Uno, Treasurer; and Kyle Uno, President. (Missing: Anne Woosnam, Secretary)

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following new directors who were re-appointed to the executive:

Director - Kim Mayes

Director - Matthew Watts

Director - Robbin Whachell

The three join the existing executive:

President - Kyle Uno

Vice President - Tyler Storgaard

Treasurer - Sandra Uno

Secretary - Anne Woosnam

The Society would like to thank Rodney Lee who stepped down after years of supporting the executive in a variety of positions. He will remain an active member.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

President Kyle Uno (left) gives an annual report, as treasurer Sandra Uno (center) takes minutes in the absence of Anne Woosnam. Director Kim Mayes looks on.


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Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001