Volunteer of the Month: Kevin Elliott

Kevin representing at our Open House in 2023.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to recognize Kevin Elliott as our Volunteer of the Month.

Kevin has been volunteering with the Society for the past three years, serving as one of our dedicated daily fish feeders. Since retiring, he has been looking for meaningful ways to give back to the community, and volunteering at the hatchery has provided that opportunity.

As a daily feeder, Kevin plays an important role in raising the next generation of salmon. His commitment helps ensure that thousands of young fish receive the care they need before being released into Hoy Creek and beginning their journey to the ocean.

For Kevin, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering has been watching several generations of salmon grow and develop throughout their lifecycle. He has also gained a deep appreciation for Hoy Creek Linear Park, which he describes as "a jewel in our city."

One experience that left a lasting impression on Kevin occurred during his first year as a volunteer. He witnessed the impact of pollution after someone cleaned paint equipment into a neighborhood storm drain, affecting the watershed. The incident highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship and gave him firsthand insight into the collaborative efforts between the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, the City of Coquitlam, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada when responding to threats to the creek.

Through his volunteer work, Kevin has developed a greater understanding of how fragile urban watersheds can be. He has seen how climate change, including summer droughts and heat waves, can affect salmon habitat, as well as the challenges posed by invasive species and the dumping of harmful substances into the environment.

When asked what advice he would offer to prospective volunteers, Kevin encourages people to consider daily feeding.

Kevin in the Capilano trough room feeding the fish.

"Daily feeding provides an incredible opportunity to develop a relationship with each brood, seeing their growth from egg to returning adult fish. Seeing the wonder and happiness in children and adults as they observe the annual cycles of the hatchery and fish is very rewarding."

Thank you, Kevin, for your dedication, stewardship, and commitment to protecting and enhancing the Hoy Creek watershed. Volunteers like you help make our work possible and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from this remarkable urban salmon stream.

Kevin speaks to a group passing by.

Kevin receives his 3-year service pin on June 26, 2026, presented by Anne Woosnam, Assistant Hatchery Manager.

Volunteer of the Month: Amy Skulj

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is pleased to recognize Amy Skulj as our Volunteer of the Month for January. Since joining us in December 2024, Amy has become a dedicated and enthusiastic presence at the hatchery and along the creek, contributing her time, energy, and passion for watershed stewardship.

Amy was encouraged to volunteer through an acquaintance at Flowlink Environmental, and from her very first visit, she knew she had found a place where her values and interests aligned. An environmentalist at heart, Amy brings both commitment and curiosity to every task, embracing the ever-changing nature of watershed work.

Her volunteer roles have spanned a wide range of seasonal activities, including assisting with Coho and Chum salmon care, invasive species removal, water quality monitoring, and whatever else is needed week to week. As she notes, duties change with the seasons—and she’s always ready to step in where help is required.

For Amy, the most rewarding part of volunteering is witnessing and supporting the life cycle of Coho and Chum salmon. Being able to see firsthand how volunteer efforts contribute directly to habitat health and salmon survival is what keeps her coming back, Saturday after Saturday.

One of the moments Amy is most proud of is seeing the strong participation of young volunteers who commit their time despite busy schedules. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” she says—a sentiment that captures the collaborative spirit of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Volunteering has also strengthened Amy’s role as an advocate for conservation. Working on the ground has deepened her understanding of watershed stewardship and reinforced the importance of protecting waterways while educating others about their value.

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering volunteering, Amy doesn’t hesitate. She describes it as a meaningful learning opportunity that offers fulfillment, camaraderie, and the chance to work alongside a knowledgeable and dedicated Board. “I don’t like missing any Saturday,” she adds, “since I am so committed.”

We are grateful to Amy for her dedication, positivity, and ongoing support of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society. Volunteers like her make our work possible.

If you’re inspired by Amy’s story and would like to get involved, we invite you to visit our Support page to learn how you can volunteer or contribute to our efforts to protect and restore Hoy and Scott Watersheds.

Thank you, Amy, for everything you do.

Announcing Our New Volunteer of the Month Program

Celebrating the people who keep our watershed thriving

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society. From monitoring returning salmon to caring for our hatchery, maintaining trails, leading tours, and supporting community events — our work simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of people who give their time, energy, and passion to local stewardship.

To honour these contributions, we’re excited to launch a new Volunteer of the Month initiative. Each month, we’ll shine a spotlight on one outstanding member of our volunteer community, sharing their story and recognizing the meaningful impact they have on our watershed.

It’s our way of saying thank you — and of showing how individual actions can strengthen an entire ecosystem.

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Matt came back from college in November for short visit to help with broodstock collection!

And now, we’re thrilled to introduce our very first recipient.

🌟 Volunteer of the Month: Matthew Watts

Matthew began volunteering with us in 2021 as a Grade 12 student eager to gain hands-on experience in fisheries. From the beginning, his curiosity and enthusiasm stood out. He quickly immersed himself in hatchery operations, learning about the salmon life cycle, improving his technical skills, and becoming a reliable member of our team.

When Matthew turned 18, he took his commitment even further by joining our Board of Directors, where he continues to contribute his insight, leadership, and enthusiasm for educating the next generation of salmon stewards.

His passion for stewardship didn’t stop at the creek. Inspired by his time at Hoy, Matthew pursued post-secondary studies in the Fish and Wildlife Program at Selkirk College, further expanding his knowledge and field experience. That dedication helped him secure a summer position with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the North Fraser Region — a milestone he still speaks about with pride.

Matthew’s journey shows how volunteering can open doors, build skills, and inspire lifelong stewardship. We are incredibly grateful for everything he brings to our watershed community.

Follow Along & Stay Connected

We’ll be highlighting a new volunteer each month — and you won’t want to miss these inspiring stories.

Follow us on social media and stay connected with everything happening at Hoy Creek.

• Facebook, Instagram

Thank you, Matthew, and thank you to all our volunteers who protect and care for the Hoy/Scott watershed. Together, we make a difference.

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Matt home during the summer of 2025 and involved with invasive species removal on Hoy Trail.