Volunteer of the Month: Ian Hu

At the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, our work simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. Each month, we take the opportunity to recognize someone who has gone above and beyond in supporting our mission to protect and restore local watershed ecosystems.

This month, we’re proud to recognize Ian Hu as our Volunteer of the Month.

Getting Started

Ian has been volunteering with us for nearly nine months, bringing energy, consistency, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

When asked what inspired him to get involved, Ian shared:

“I'm interested in helping protect the local environment, especially salmon habitat. Since Hoy Creek and Scott Creek are important to salmon, I wanted to be part of a campaign to help protect them.”

Hands-On Impact

In his time with us, Ian has taken on a wide range of roles, including:

• Propagation and planting

• Fixing pipes and filters

• Salmon health checks

• Event support and promotion

• Cleaning up creek and pond areas

Through this hands-on work, Ian has contributed directly to improving habitat conditions and supporting the health of local salmon populations.

Why It Matters

For Ian, the most rewarding part of volunteering is simple but powerful:

“The most rewarding part is knowing that the work we do helps support salmon and their habitat. It feels rewarding to contribute to something that has a real impact on the ecosystem.”

That sense of purpose is something many of our volunteers share—and it’s what drives meaningful, lasting impact.

A Lasting Impression

One of Ian’s most memorable experiences has been seeing the results of that work over time:

“The most memorable part was seeing the creek improve over time after our work was done. I'm most proud of being consistent and contributing regularly, even when the work is tiring.”

Consistency is at the heart of watershed stewardship, and Ian’s commitment truly stands out.

Learning Through Action

Volunteering has also deepened Ian’s understanding of how delicate and interconnected watershed systems are:

“It helped me understand how sensitive salmon habitat is and how small actions like cleaning ponds and caring for salmon can make a difference. I also learned how everything in the watershed is interconnected.”

Words for Future Volunteers

For anyone thinking about getting involved, Ian offers this advice:

“Give it a try. This is a great way to help protect salmon, learn about the environment, and make a positive impact in your community.”

Thank You, Ian!

Ian’s dedication, consistency, and passion for protecting salmon habitat make him a valued member of our volunteer community. We’re grateful for the time and effort he contributes—and proud to recognize him this month.

If you’re inspired by Ian’s story, we invite you to join us and be part of the work to protect our local waterways.

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

Invasive Species Work Integral for a Healthy Riparian

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Adela and Anne seen near a hedge of Smallflower touch-me-not on Hoy Trail.

This summer, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society continued its important work tackling invasive plant species in Hoy Creek Linear Park — efforts led by our dedicated volunteers Anne Woosnam and Robbin Whachell. Invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam and Smallflower touch-me-not can quickly spread, outcompeting native plants and altering the habitat that salmon and other wildlife rely on. With the help of our volunteers and community partners, we’ve made great strides in reclaiming space for native species to thrive.

June: Smallflower Touch-Me-Not

Our summer work began in June with a focus on Smallflower touch-me-not (Impatiens parviflora), an invasive balsam species we first encountered along Hoy Trail last year. Despite last year’s efforts, it was clear how aggressively this plant can return — spreading quickly through the same areas.

Thanks to the persistence of Anne, Adela, and Robbin, we were able to pull large amounts from the trail edges before they could set seed. Early intervention is key, and each pull helps prevent further spread. (Learn more about this invasive balsam here: BC Invasives – Smallflower Touch-Me-Not)

July: Himalayan Balsam

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Anne helps fill bags and the wagon with tall Himalayan balsam along Hoy Trail.

End of June and into July, attention turned to Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), another invasive species that thrives in moist riparian areas like Hoy Creek. With its pink flowers and explosive seed pods, it may look beautiful, but it can quickly dominate streambanks and crowd out native plants.

This pull was a true community effort: together we filled nine large bags of balsam, with even more left in piles for collection. Volunteers included Anne, Tyler, Dylan, Matt, Rhyann, Lucas, and Robbin — along with Alex from Broombusters Coquitlam, who brought energy and expertise. A big thank-you as well to residents Jen and David, who jumped in after seeing us at work. That’s community stewardship in action!

We are grateful to the City of Coquitlam Natural Areas team for coordinating pickup, and to Broombusters Coquitlam for donating collection bags to support our efforts.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)

Why It Matters

By removing invasive plants, we’re giving native species — the plants that provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and salmon — a better chance to flourish. Every bag pulled means less seed dispersal next season, and a healthier creekside ecosystem for years to come.

Thank You Volunteers

A huge thank you to Anne and Robbin for leading this summer’s invasive species pulls, and to every volunteer and community member who joined in. Your hands-on work is helping protect Hoy Creek and its surrounding habitat.

Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier watershed.