Katelyn holds a bucket to release water from a heath tray of the Chum incubation stack.
The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to recognize Katelyn Crothers as our Volunteer of the Month for her dedication and ongoing commitment to the Hoy Creek Hatchery.
Katelyn has become a familiar and valued presence at the hatchery, consistently stepping up to support a wide range of activities. Whether assisting with fish care, engaging with visitors, or lending a hand wherever needed, she brings a positive attitude and strong work ethic to every task.
Her willingness to learn, ask questions, and share her knowledge with others has made her an important part of our volunteer team. Katelyn’s enthusiasm for environmental stewardship and salmon conservation reflects the very spirit of what our organization stands for.
Here are Katelyn’s responses to a recent interview:
How long have you been a volunteer with HSWS?
I began my time at Hoy Scott Salmon Hatchery in May of 2025, however I became a regular volunteer later that year in October.
What inspired you to start volunteering with us?
In December 2025 I graduated from Douglas College with an Associates of Environmental Studies. While I was there, I developed a thorough understanding of our ecological and social environments. This knowledge, fostered by a life-long passion for the protection of crucial local watershed and salmon habitat, led me to seek out how I could make an impact myself.
What kinds of activities or roles have you taken on in your volunteer work?
The activities our team of volunteers carry out are very dependent on the time of year. In October my Saturday mornings looked like gearing up in waders, walking down the trails to our trap area, and catching healthy, wild salmon for broodstock collection. From November onward I spent many days maintaining incubation trays and recording sensitive data on coho and chum population at the egg, fry and smolt stages. Along with other projects like revegetating our creek banks to provide shade in the next hot upcoming months.
What has been the most rewarding part of volunteering here?
The most rewarding aspect of my volunteering has been the connection I have been able to make with the surrounding community. That has looked like taking newer volunteers and those passing by for a tour of the hatchery to show them first-hand what goes into local salmon conservation efforts. I feel that this helps bridge the gap between humans and the natural world, because we often forget how incredible our metaphorical backyards are.
Katelyn and some of the crew during broodstock collection in fall 2025.
Can you share a memorable moment or challenge you’ve experienced while volunteering? Or, what are you most proud of?
One of the most memorable moments in my time at Hoy Scott was during a day we were collecting salmon for spawning. I was freezing cold, water down my waders as I netted off the mouth of the creek bed where they would be swimming up. Then suddenly, I had these 2-foot-10-pound fish launching at my feet, in all of their glory. To be so close to a keystone species that has so much ecological and cultural significance was a reminder of the “why” behind my education and career path.
How has volunteering with us influenced your understanding of watershed stewardship or conservation?
If I have learned anything from my time at Hoy Scott regarding watershed stewardship and conservation, it would be how every little action counts. So much goes on behind the scenes,
whether that be scheduling school tours, reorganizing our facility areas, trail clean ups, or putting up fencing. Though supporting our Coho and Chum salmon populations involves hands on work with a really cool species, all those efforts are needed to make that possible.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering volunteering here?
Just show up! At Hoy Scott Salmon Hatchery our team is filled with people from all walks of life and knowledge levels. The one characteristic we all share is caring about conservation and the community around us. When I began here I was given so much support in navigating our facilities and participating in the daily routines. You learn so much over time and get to be a part of an awesome group of people. Whether that means you show up bright and early at 8:30am every Saturday or drop in when you get the chance!
Volunteers like Katelyn play a vital role in helping us care for the thousands of salmon that pass through the hatchery each year, while also educating the community about the importance of protecting our local waterways.
We are incredibly grateful for Katelyn’s time, energy, and commitment. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition!