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: 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.