Volunteer of the Month: Kevin Elliott

Kevin representing at our Open House in 2023.

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.

Kevin in the Capilano trough room feeding the fish.

"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.

Kevin speaks to a group passing by.

Kevin receives his 3-year service pin on June 26, 2026, presented by Anne Woosnam, Assistant Hatchery Manager.

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.

Way-finding signs helping residents navigate Hoy Creek Linear Park

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A newly installed way-finding sign at the junction of Hoy Trail just north of the Guildford Way trail entrance.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam, making your way around the Hoy Creek Linear Park just got a whole lot easier!

In October trailhead signs were put in place as well as interpretational signs along the trail providing information on the history of the hatchery, the work of our Society and what you can expect to find along the watershed from salmon species to slugs.

Last week, way-finding signs were put in place at trail crossing areas and key locations to help navigate the area.

“Having all the signage in place has been a real bonus, in particular, that we were unable to host our Salmon Come Home event this year,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell. “With such a great return of chum salmon, visitors to the Hoy Creek Linear Park had a lot to see! The signage is a huge asset to the public.”

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Chum salmon eggs incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery after two-year lull

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Photo: HSWS on Oct. 31 (HSWS Photo)

Last weekend we had a successful couple of days reaching our Chum salmon broodstock quota thanks to hard-working volunteers and with the added help of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans crew who were out on Monday to conduct a field egg take.

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is currently holding almost 27,000 Chum (as a green egg estimate) and thus we’ve concluded our Chum brood collection.

“Looking ahead we’ll be focusing our efforts on Coho broodstock, and will be seining the fish trap pool,” said hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. “With the current weather we've been experiencing, we are hopeful to see some fresh coho push in. “

The weekend forecast is calling for clear skies and cooler temps, and this should help for viewing and hopefully catching coho for broodstock. Coho commonly return from late October to mid-December and are not as easy to spot as the chum.

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Chum salmon after egg and milt take for broodstock. Fish were returned to the stream. (HSWS Photo)

“We’ve had a huge turnout for viewing this year,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “We’re receiving emails and phone calls. Last weekend Hoy Trail there was a steady flow of families and people enjoying the fall colours and salmon-spotting. The salmon did not disappoint and this year we have seen a great increase in returning chum compared to the last two years.”

Those coming out to view salmon should be mindful that bears have been spotted for several weeks off and on in the Hoy Creek Linear Park and around the hatchery. The City of Coquitlam has put out a map showing optimal places to view salmon with tips about bears. Go to coquitlam.ca/salmoncomehome.

The Society’s chum salmon program was reintroduced at the hatchery in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2015.

Learn more about the salmon we raise HERE. Read our tips for spotting salmon.

Check out other photos and video on our Facebook page.

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Eggs being weighed and counted in Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Above, a full grown chum salmon lies dead in Hoy Creek after completing its lifecycle, while the young coho fry swim about. As the body begins to breakdown, its particles will release and nourish other fish life, birds, insects and the riparian area (plants on the banks) of the stream – thus completing a cycle of life.

New signage for Hoy Creek Linear Park

New interpretational signage by Hoy Creek Hatchery providing information about the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam for prioritizing the Hoy Creek Linear Park as an area that not only supports the Hoy Creek Hatchery but also gets a lot of foot traffic from those that use the trail to shortcut to Walton Elementary, Douglas College, Pinetree Secondary, or the SkyTrain to name just a few.

The trail supports these connections but is also a beautiful green space for people to get exercise, walk their dogs, or simply unwind and melt into nature.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society had been working with the City discussing updating of the signage but were very surprised as to the end result.

“Not only do we have beautiful trailhead markers so people can now identify entrances to the Hoy Creek Linear Park,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell, “but we love the interpretational signage around the trail closest to the hatchery area and into the deep part of the woods which educate the trail users as to local fauna, fish that live in the stream, forest life, the history of the hatchery, the work of the Society and more.”

New trailhead markers thanks to the City of Coquitlam