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!

Volunteer of the Month: Al D.

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Al cleaning a filter during his morning feed duties in the Capilano trough room at Hoy Creek Hatchery.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to recognize Al D. as our Volunteer of the Month for his dedication and ongoing commitment to the Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Al joined our volunteer team in 2022, bringing with him a strong interest in environmental protection and a background in environmental science. After retiring, he was looking for a meaningful way to reconnect with those early passions while giving back to his community.

“The Hoy Creek Hatchery opportunity seemed perfectly suited to my desire to revisit some of my early adulthood interests,” Al shares. “My degree is related to environmental science.”

Since joining the Society, Al has taken on one of the hatchery’s most important behind-the-scenes responsibilities: Daily Feeder.

While much of his work happens out of public view, the daily feeder role is absolutely vital to the successful operation of the Hoy Creek Hatchery. This position ensures that juvenile salmon are fed consistently, monitored closely, and cared for every single day. It is a role that requires reliability, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the life cycle of salmon.

In addition to his work at Hoy Creek, Al also volunteers at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park (Colony Farm), where he helps remove invasive plant species and support the health of local ecosystems.

For Al, volunteering brings both purpose and fulfillment.

“I would advise those thinking of volunteering to just do it! There is a tremendous joy and satisfaction in helping maintain our environment even in a small manner. It all adds up,” he says. “I particularly enjoy being part of maintaining our salmon stock which is so crucial for our ecosystem.”

Al’s commitment reminds us that conservation work depends not only on big public events, but also on the steady, dedicated efforts of volunteers who quietly ensure that essential daily tasks are completed.

We thank Al for his dependable service, positive spirit, and dedication to protecting Hoy Creek and its salmon. His work truly makes a difference — one feeding at a time.