Volunteer of the Month: Kevin Elliott

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to recognize Kevin Elliott as our Volunteer of the Month.

Kevin has been volunteering with the Society for the past three years, serving as one of our dedicated daily fish feeders. Since retiring, he has been looking for meaningful ways to give back to the community, and volunteering at the hatchery has provided that opportunity.

As a daily feeder, Kevin plays an important role in raising the next generation of salmon. His commitment helps ensure that thousands of young fish receive the care they need before being released into Hoy Creek and beginning their journey to the ocean.

For Kevin, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering has been watching several generations of salmon grow and develop throughout their lifecycle. He has also gained a deep appreciation for Hoy Creek Linear Park, which he describes as "a jewel in our city."

One experience that left a lasting impression on Kevin occurred during his first year as a volunteer. He witnessed the impact of pollution after someone cleaned paint equipment into a neighborhood storm drain, affecting the watershed. The incident highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship and gave him firsthand insight into the collaborative efforts between the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, the City of Coquitlam, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada when responding to threats to the creek.

Through his volunteer work, Kevin has developed a greater understanding of how fragile urban watersheds can be. He has seen how climate change, including summer droughts and heat waves, can affect salmon habitat, as well as the challenges posed by invasive species and the dumping of harmful substances into the environment.

When asked what advice he would offer to prospective volunteers, Kevin encourages people to consider daily feeding.

"Daily feeding provides an incredible opportunity to develop a relationship with each brood, seeing their growth from egg to returning adult fish. Seeing the wonder and happiness in children and adults as they observe the annual cycles of the hatchery and fish is very rewarding."

Thank you, Kevin, for your dedication, stewardship, and commitment to protecting and enhancing the Hoy Creek watershed. Volunteers like you help make our work possible and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from this remarkable urban salmon stream.

Thank You to RBC for Supporting Salmon and Stewardship

RBC Coquitlam team present a cheque to HSWS secretary, Robbin Whachell for $2500.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to RBC for their generous donation and for taking the time to visit the Hoy Creek Hatchery to learn more about our work.

Their visit provided an opportunity to share the vital role salmon play in British Columbia’s ecosystem—from supporting biodiversity to enriching the health of our forests and streams. The tour, led by Robbin Whachell and Anne Woosnam, highlighted the importance of community-based stewardship and the impact of local conservation efforts.

We are especially grateful for RBC’s hands-on commitment to the environment through their trail clean-up efforts in Hoy Creek Linear Park, in partnership with the City of Coquitlam Park Spark team. Initiatives like these play a meaningful role in protecting and maintaining the health of our local watershed.

Support like this—both through financial contributions and volunteer action—directly strengthens our ability to carry out essential programs, including habitat restoration, hatchery operations, and environmental education. These efforts not only support salmon populations but also help connect our community to the natural environment around them.

We are truly grateful for RBC’s generosity and their shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, we are making a difference right here in our community.