Society Participates in Gleneagle Secondary Volunteer Fair

Big thanks to Maya Uno who represented us that day!

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was excited to be part of the Volunteer Fair at Gleneagle Secondary School on April 2, connecting with students eager to make a difference in their community.

Throughout the day, students stopped by our table to learn about the unique—and yes, a little “fishy”—volunteer opportunities available at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. From caring for salmon to helping protect and restore our local watershed, there are many meaningful ways for students to get involved.

Volunteering with HSWS offers more than just hands-on environmental experience. We’re proud to support students by providing opportunities to earn school volunteer hours, gain valuable skills, and receive reference letters for future academic and career pursuits. It’s all part of our commitment to helping youth connect with nature while building confidence and experience.

We would like to extend a big thank you to Gleneagle Secondary for the invitation and warm welcome. Events like this are an important way to engage the next generation of environmental stewards.

A special shoutout also goes to longtime HSWS volunteer Maya Uno for representing us at the booth and sharing her knowledge and passion with fellow students.

We look forward to welcoming new student volunteers and continuing to grow our community of stewards dedicated to protecting Hoy Creek and beyond.

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Gleneagle Secondary signage. The school is closest to Scott Creek.

Volunteer of the Month: Jiaming Sun

Jiaming holds a HSWS t-shirt and toque gifted to him as our April Volunteer of the Month

At the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do—and this month, we’re excited to recognize Jiaming Sun as our Volunteer of the Month.

Jiaming has been volunteering with us for the past year, bringing a positive attitude and a willingness to learn that has made him a valued part of our hatchery team.

Getting Started

When asked what inspired him to volunteer, Jiaming shared a refreshingly honest answer—he was looking for something meaningful to do and felt inspired seeing his friends getting involved in volunteer work. That decision led him straight to the hatchery, where he quickly became part of the team.

Hands-On Experience

Over the past year, Jiaming has taken on a variety of important tasks, including feeding fish, cleaning tanks, and helping with counting and measuring salmon. These hands-on activities are essential to the success of our hatchery operations and the health of local fish populations.

Learning and Growth

One of the most impactful parts of Jiaming’s experience has been how much he’s learned along the way.

“Before I came here, I knew nothing about salmon and creeks… now I have learned a lot.”

Through volunteering, he’s gained a deeper understanding of watershed stewardship and the important role community volunteers play in protecting local ecosystems.

Why It Matters

For Jiaming, volunteering has been both fun and rewarding—not only gaining valuable experience in a working hatchery, but also contributing hours toward school requirements while making a real difference in the environment.

Words of Advice

Jiaming keeps it simple for anyone thinking about getting involved:

“Stop considering and come—it’s really fun to volunteer here.”

We’re grateful for Jiaming’s contributions and enthusiasm over the past year. Volunteers like him help make the work of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society possible, and we’re proud to have him as part of our community.

Interested in volunteering? We’d love to have you join us!

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!

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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.

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

• Facebook album

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• All rights to photos reserved to the Society

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