Volunteers Complete Streamkeepers Level 1 Training

Streamkeepers pose with their certificates

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to congratulate five of our dedicated volunteers who successfully completed Streamkeepers Level 1 Training on May 16 in Port Moody.

Hosted by the Port Moody Ecological Society in partnership with the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, the full-day training provided participants with valuable knowledge and practical skills to help protect and restore local waterways.

A special thank you goes to ZoAnne of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for leading the training and sharing her expertise. Participants explored topics including water quality monitoring, riparian vegetation, aquatic invertebrate sampling, juvenile fish identification, and stream stewardship principles—all essential tools for anyone passionate about protecting salmon habitat and healthy watersheds.

We are incredibly proud of our volunteers:

• Amy Skulj

• Katelyn Crothers

• Katherine Wang

• Mya Cohen

• Richard Chen

By completing this certification, they have strengthened not only their own knowledge but also the capacity of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society to continue our conservation, education, and habitat restoration efforts throughout the Hoy and Scott Creek watershed.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Port Moody Ecological Society for hosting this valuable learning opportunity and to the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for providing such high-quality training. Opportunities like these help build a stronger network of environmental stewards working together to protect our local streams and salmon for generations to come.

Congratulations once again to Amy, Katelyn, Katherine, Mya, and Richard on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing the knowledge and skills you've gained put into action throughout our watershed!

Students Release Salmon into Hoy Creek

Congratulations Panorama Heights!

There were plenty of smiles and excitement on March 1 as students, parents, and staff from Panorama Heights Elementary School gathered at Hoy Creek to release the young salmon they had been raising in their classroom over the past several months.

The release marked the culmination of the Salmon in the Classroom program, an inspiring educational initiative that gives students the opportunity to experience the salmon life cycle firsthand while learning about the importance of healthy watersheds and environmental stewardship.

From carefully monitoring water conditions to feeding and observing the developing fry, the students demonstrated remarkable dedication and responsibility throughout the program. Their care and attention ensured the young salmon were healthy and ready for their journey into Hoy Creek and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society extends its sincere thanks to the students, teachers, staff, and families of Panorama Heights Elementary for their commitment to this important program. Your enthusiasm and dedication are helping foster a deeper appreciation for salmon, local ecosystems, and the role each of us plays in protecting them.

Watching the salmon swim into their natural habitat is always a special moment, but seeing the pride and excitement on the faces of the students makes it even more meaningful. We hope this experience has inspired many of them to become the next generation of Streamkeepers and environmental stewards.

Thank you, Panorama Heights Elementary, for helping ensure a brighter future for our salmon and our watershed. We look forward to welcoming you back to Hoy Creek in the years ahead.

Streamkeepers Roundtable Held in Coquitlam

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HSWS Team: Anne, Kyle, Robbin, Tyler

Thanks to the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for hosting the annual streamkeepers roundtable on March 11 at the YMCA in Coquitlam.

The meeting was attended by salmon stewards from Chilliwack to the Sunshine Coast!

It was a wonderful opportunity to share our experiences, challenges, and successes which was valuable and inspiring.

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Hosted by Stoney Creek

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Streamkeepers from around BC

HSWS Continues Adults Salmon Spawner Survey in 2020

Rodney Lee, (right) speaks to three of the four volunteers (left to right: Anne Woosman, Jerome Cho, and Hannah Blanchard about that day’s spawner survey tasks.

Former hatchery manager and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Rodney Lee led a spawner survey in 2020.

Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense for the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to the DFO.

Four of our volunteers participated and went out each Saturday between Sept. 26 and Nov. 7. Participants had to walk in chest waders in and around the stream including stepping over fallen trees, walking on in-stream rocks and muddy banks, and crouching under overhanging tree branches to identify salmon species targeting chum and coho but occasionally other species (chinook, pink) may have been seen.

Thanks to those who participated!

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Left to right: Maiya Callister, Anne Woosman, and Jerome Cho.