Society Receives Coquitlam Environmental Achievement Award

Receiving the award fromma

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is honoured to have received an Environmental Achievement Award from the City of Coquitlam on June 13, recognizing the contributions of our volunteers and the ongoing work to protect and enhance the Hoy and Scott Creek watersheds.

Representing the Society at the awards ceremony were President Kyle Uno, Secretary and Past President Robbin Whachell, and long-time volunteer Adela Chen. The event brought together community groups, organizations, and individuals who are making a positive environmental impact throughout Coquitlam.

We are grateful for this recognition, but the true credit belongs to the many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to our mission throughout the year.

Unlike many seasonal programs, our work continues 12 months of the year. From operating the Hoy Creek Hatchery and raising salmon, to monitoring the watershed, providing educational tours, and participating in community outreach, there is always work to be done.

Much of this effort takes place behind the scenes. Our dedicated daily fish feeders ensure that thousands of young salmon receive consistent care every day. Volunteers maintain equipment, support hatchery operations led by Tyler Storgaard and Anne Woosnam, assist with special events, and help educate the public about the importance of healthy watersheds and salmon habitat.

We are also proud of the many students who volunteer with us. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to environmental stewardship help ensure that our organization remains strong and that the values of conservation continue to be passed on to future generations.

This award serves as a reminder that meaningful environmental stewardship is a community effort. Every volunteer hour, every educational tour, every fish fed, and every stream enhancement project contributes to the health of our local waterways.

Thank you to the City of Coquitlam for this acknowledgement and to every volunteer, supporter, and community partner who helps make our work possible.

Together, we will continue protecting and enhancing the Hoy and Scott Creek watersheds for future generations.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Is Now a Registered Canadian Charity

Hoy Creek in December (Coquitlam, BC)

We are proud to share an important milestone for the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society: as of July 2025, we are officially a registered Canadian charity.

Our charitable registration number is: 863285847RR0001

This achievement reflects years of dedicated volunteer effort, strong community partnerships, and a shared commitment to protecting and restoring the Hoy and Scott watersheds.

What Does Charitable Status Mean?

Becoming a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency confirms that the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society operates for the public good and meets rigorous standards for governance, accountability, and transparency.

It also strengthens our ability to:

• Protect and enhance salmon habitat

• Deliver environmental education and outreach

• Support monitoring, restoration, and stewardship initiatives

• Build partnerships that benefit the entire watershed and community

How This Helps Our Supporters

With charitable status, we can now issue official donation receipts for income tax purposes.

This means:

• Individuals can receive tax credits for their donations

• Businesses can make charitable contributions with formal documentation

• Supporters can give with confidence, knowing their contributions directly support local environmental stewardship

Every donation helps us continue hands-on work in the watershed — from habitat protection to hatchery education and community engagement.

A Milestone Built by Volunteers and Community

This accomplishment belongs to our volunteers, members, partners, and supporters. Your time, expertise, and belief in the importance of healthy waterways made this possible.

From creekside monitoring to public education events, your efforts have helped position the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society as a trusted steward of our local environment.

Looking Ahead

Charitable status opens new opportunities for growth, funding, and collaboration. As we look ahead, we remain committed to:

• Protecting salmon and aquatic ecosystems

• Educating the public about watershed health

• Working collaboratively with Indigenous partners, community groups, and local residents

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can continue to care for the creeks that sustain our community.

👉 Learn how you can support our work or make a donation on our support page.

Society Members Tour Kwikwetlem Sockeye Hatchery

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The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Sockeye Hatchery

Members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society were treated to a truly educational and inspiring experience on December 14, touring Kwikwetlem First Nation’s new sockeye salmon hatchery located high above the Coquitlam River watershed.

A huge thank you goes to HSWS volunteer Rodney Lee, who led the tour and generously shared his knowledge throughout the morning. The state-of-the-art facility is currently incubating sockeye salmon eggs, and Rodney provided a fascinating overview of both the technical aspects of the hatchery and the long, determined journey taken by Kwikwetlem First Nation to bring this important project to life.

Participants learned about the unique life cycle of sockeye salmon and the special care required to successfully rear this species—knowledge that deepened everyone’s appreciation for the complexity and importance of hatchery work in supporting healthy salmon populations.

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The tour started with an informative talk from Rodney Lee.

Following the hatchery visit, the group toured the surrounding area, taking in views of the Coquitlam River running at high flow, as well as the spawning grounds, dam, and lake reservoir. The broader landscape offered valuable context for understanding how habitat, water management, and salmon stewardship are closely connected.

HSWS members were pleased to be joined by friends from the Hyde Creek Hatchery, making the tour an excellent opportunity for shared learning and collaboration among watershed stewards.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society extends its sincere thanks to Kwikwetlem First Nation for welcoming us and allowing us to learn about this vital work. The hatchery represents a significant achievement in salmon restoration and Indigenous-led stewardship in the region.

For more information about the hatchery and its opening, you can read Kwikwetlem First Nation’s 2022 announcement here:
👉 Sockeye Hatchery Announcement (Kwikwetlem First Nation)

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Wrapping up the tour at the Coquitlam mountain reservoir. (Coquitlam Lake) Watershed

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society Announces 2025 Board of Directors

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President Kyle Uno (right) delivers a Year in Review at AGM on Sept. 24. The meeting was hybrid for society members.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 24, 2025, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following president, treasurer and directors:

• President – Kyle Uno (second term)

• Treasurer – Sandra Uno (second term)

• Director - Anne Woosnam (past secretary, assistant hatchery manager)

• Director - Kim Mayes (reappointment)

• Director - Matthew Watts (reappointment)

The above mentioned join the existing board members:

• Vice President – Tyler Storgaard (final year of second term, and hatchery manager)

• Secretary – Robbin Whachell (final year of first term, past director, past president)

The AGM highlighted a Year in Review for the society which highlighted:

• 20K chum fry/smolts; 17K coho fry

• Salmon in the Classroom releases

• Habitat restoration project on Hoy Creek 

• Public education and awareness: Festivals and Tours

• Instream water quality monitoring

• Invasive species removal: Touch-me-knot, Policeman’s Helmet 

• Spawner survey data

• Challenges: Break-ins, poaching 

• New charity status

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A Year in Review at our AGM on Sept. 24 at the Poirier Branch of the Coquitlam Library.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

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Treasurer, Sandra Uno delivers the Financial Overview. In 2025 the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society became a Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001