SOCIETY UPDATE MARCH 2011

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To protect, restore, and monitor local fish habitat

To educate the public in watershed management

To encourage co-operation in watershed management

OUR MANDATE

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Background

Restoration and Enhancement

Town Collaboration

Education and Awareness

Advocacy

Future Focus

REPORT CONTENTS

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Background

REPORT CONTENTS

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BackgroundQualicum Beach Streamkeepers Society 1995 - 2010

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BackgroundQualicum Beach Streamkeepers Society 1995 - 2010Background

Failing culvert under Old Dutch Inn replaced with new "baffled" culvert in 2000. Partners - Town of QB, PSF,DFO, and Fisheries Renewal B.C

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BackgroundWest Crescent culvert complete barrier to migrating salmon. Replaced with caissons and "baffled" culverts in 2001. Partners - Town of QB, Enviro Canada Eco-Action

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BackgroundQualicum Beach Streamkeepers Society 1995 - 2010

BackgroundImproved fish passage on Grandon Creek downstream from Hoy Lake Road

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BackgroundWhisky Creek dam removed in 2002. Partners DFO and MOE.

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BackgroundWhisky Creek dam was a complete barrier to migrating salmon. Coho now spawn there.

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BackgroundVolunteers attend a bio-engineering workshop at Whisky Creek for bank restoration.

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BackgroundTown honours Faye Smith with Volunteer of the Year Award for 2010

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BackgroundCoho found in Beach and Grandon Creeks

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Restoration and Enhancement

REPORT CONTENTS

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Restoration and EnhancementMajor 2010 Enhancement Project – Beach Creek Erosion Site

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Restoration and EnhancementBeach Creek Erosion Site – Work in Progress

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Restoration and EnhancementBeach Creek Erosion Site – Work Completed

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Restoration and EnhancementQBSS Crew ready to seine for fish at the Memorial GC pond

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Restoration and EnhancementSeining for fish so dredging can begin

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Restoration and EnhancementPond almost drained and fish relocated

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Restoration and EnhancementReplanting the pond banks with a $500 donation from Memorial GC

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Restoration and EnhancementBrush Layers at Grandon Creek

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Restoration and EnhancementTown and DFO improve water flow at Grandon Creek

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Restoration and EnhancementQBSS volunteers work with BC Conservation Foundation to collect salmon carcasses

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Restoration and EnhancementSalmon are loaded into containers for transport upriver

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Restoration and EnhancementOver 16,000 pounds of salmon are redistributed to the benefit of many species

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Restoration and EnhancementPlanting trees at the Waring Farm on the Little Qualicum River

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Restoration and EnhancementIs this the last goldfish to be captured at Dollymount Trail?

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Restoration and EnhancementOne example of a lamium invasion at Grandon Creek

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Restoration and EnhancementGiant Hogweed discovered in Beach Creek bordering the Heritage Forest

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Restoration and EnhancementGiant Hogweed removal is a multi-year project and requires careful handling

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Restoration and EnhancementQBSS joins a broom busting session at the Englishman River Estuary

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Town Collaboration

REPORT CONTENTS

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Town Collaboration

o Select Committee onEnvironment

o Project Planning

o Letter on Sustainability

o Input on QOS Survey

o Letter on DumpingBylaw Enforcement

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Education and Awareness

REPORT CONTENTS

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Education and AwarenessDave Clough leading the classroom session at the Streamkeepers Certification Course

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Education and AwarenessCourse participant Brad Jackson said he would never look at a stream the same way again

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Education and AwarenessStreamkeepers knocked on doors of 60 neighbours of Grandon Creek

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Education and Awareness

Much more education needed on protection for riparian areas, garden waste is a no-no!

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Education and AwarenessA group from “Newcomers” embarks on a tour of Grandon Creek

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Education and Awareness

Participation in Community Events

o River Never Sleeps Festival – Rosewall Creek Hatchery

o Family Day in Qualicum Beach

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Advocacy

REPORT CONTENTS

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Advocacy

Submitted letters to:

o Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency re concernsabout fish impacts of proposed Raven Coal Mine

o Arrowsmith Parks and Land Use Council re proposed logging ofDL 33 in Nanoose

o Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve supporting a fundingproposal to the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions on “Creating a climate for networking”

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Future Focus

REPORT CONTENTS

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Future Focus

o Protecting Riparian Ecosystems from Invasive Species- Removal, new planting, raising awareness

o Collaborating with the Town on Stormwater Management

o Saving, planting, and tending trees

o Enhancing communication

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We need a community based Watershed Plan for the Little Qualicum River Watershed.

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Little Qualicum River Bank DL 10

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Little Qualicum River Floodplain DL 10

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QUALICUM BEACH STREAMKEEPERS SOCIETYDedicated to protecting and restoring wild fish habitat