Founding Member Acknowledged at Salmon Leave Home

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Founding member and the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society’s first president was acknowledged at Salmon Leave Home on May 14, 2023. From left to right: Fin Donnelly, MLA; HSWS president, Kyle Uno; and founding member, Keith Kozak holding his certificate of acknowledgement.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was formed and registered in 2002 with a mandate to promote watershed restoration and help raise awareness of our shared responsibility for the care of the creek and its surrounding habitat. Founding members who signed the Society document were: Keith Kozak, Linda Gorsline, Chris Hamming, Andrea Tubbs, and Shawn Tubbs.

Twenty-one years later, on May 14, 2023, during the Society’s Salmon Leave Home festival, Keith Kozak was honoured for his major contribution. Setting up a society from nothing is an arduous task and we’re grateful for the time and commitment put in by our founding members.

Keith was the Society's first president. So much goes into the operations of a society, and Keith put in countless hours leading stream cleans, tree planting, salmon rearing, and time networking with the City, DFO, and environmental groups, as well as checking that area developers were ensuring the safety of the salmon.

Keith speaks about the formation of the Society and the work of the group in educating the public on the sensitivity of the habitat, as well as ensuring the return of Coho and Chum salmon to Hoy Creek.

Keith was acknowledged and thanked by the current president, Kyle Uno. “We would not be here today without your efforts. As a token of our appreciation, we present you with this certificate and gift.”

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This photo was featured on the cover of The Tri-City News. Seen left is Keith Kozak, holding a Coho salmon, as a family looks on on the shore of Hoy Creek, Coquitlam.

Society Attends Annual Streamkeepers Roundtable

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Tyler Storgaard (seated left) speaks about the Society’s membership

Streamkeepers in and around Vancouver’s Lower Mainland met in Burnaby on March 6 to share information.

The roundtable was hosted by the Stoney Creek Environment Committee and those participating were asked to present the following from the past year:

• Highlights

• Challenges

The evening served as a time to share thoughts and to discuss collaboration so as to improve behaviours and practices in and around the watersheds we all represent.

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard provided a presentation on behalf of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS). Supporting him were the HSWS president and directors.

The Society would like to thank the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for ensuring worthwhile meetings like this take place.

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Over 12 streamkeeper groups were present.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society acknowledged at City environmental awards

Members of Hoy-Scott Watershed Society with their certificate of appreciation pose with Hucklebeary at Coquitlam city hall. 

The City of Coquitlam held its fourteenth Environmental Achievement Award celebration on Sunday, June 24 recognizing community volunteers who excel in the areas of conservation, public awareness, environmental education, habitat enhancement and sustainable living.  In addition, the award recipients show initiative and leadership while volunteering for projects that have long-term environmental benefits for the community.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) received a certificate of appreciation for the volunteer work that we do. 

Representing the Society at the event held at City Hall, was the president, Robbin Whachell; director Lani Lehun; past director, Nathen Blower; longtime members Earl and Lilian Elliott; and newcomers, Steven Wang, and Leo Li. 

"It's wonderful to connect with like-minded groups at this annual event and learn about the wonderful things others are doing," said Robbin Whachell. "It's definitely motivation for our team, and, while not everyone was able to attend, they are appreciated. It means a lot to be recognized for the effort we put in." 

Below is a video produced by the City of Coquitlam showcasing local environmental groups. 

For a full list of recipients, check out the City's press release HERE.

Aquatic Invertebrate Survey Conducted at Hoy Creek

On Saturday, September 23, approximately 8 volunteers from of Hoy-Scott Watershed Society took part in an invertebrate survey, of which details were provided to the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation 'Streamkeepers Database.' Numerous curious members of the public, who happened to be walking by the area also participated. 

To start, two 30x30 cm samples were taken from Hoy Creek immediately upstream of the Hoy Creek hatchery using a D frame net designed for invertebrate surveys.

Water containing the invertebrates from the creek (the samples) was divided into several wash basin sized samples. Kids and adults then patiently inspected each sample, capturing all the aquatic invertebrates using a spoon or pipette, placing them into an ice cube square according to the type of invertebrate.

Nearly 400 invertebrates from the two 30x30 cm samples were counted and sorted into 12 different groups (taxa).  That works out to a density of over 2000 aquatic invertebrates per square metre of creek bed!

The observations were then used to conduct basic water quality and diversity assessments of the creek using several different indices (e.g. Pollution Tolerant Index, EPT Index, Predominant Taxon Ratio).

Our sample achieved a 'good' rating (the highest rating) across all four indices.

The most abundant aquatic invertebrates in the samples were caddisflies. Their cases (houses they build themselves and attach to rocks) could be seen all over the rocks where the samples were taken.

There were also mayflies, scuds, aquatic works, leeches, water mites and stoneflies captured.

The prize catch of the day were two giant stoneflies, which measured nearly 5 cm in length.

A great find! Two large stoneflies. 

Data was uploaded to the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation website and is available HERE.