Our Freshwater Initiatives Project has been a resounding success, bringing together community members, environmental organizations, and volunteers to restore and protect Morse Creek and its surrounding habitats. Through a variety of hands-on activities, we have made a tangible impact on the health of our local freshwater ecosystems while fostering a sense of community stewardship.
Community Engagement and Restoration Efforts
From February through July, we hosted several events to educate, engage, and take action for freshwater conservation:
- Stream of Dreams Fish on Fences Mural (Feb. 22, 23, and 26): Engaging the community in artistic expression while raising awareness of watershed conservation.
- Invasive Plant Removal & Native Plantings (March 9 & 10): Partnering with the Lower Mainland Green Team to restore native habitats.
- Streamkeepers Training Weekend (June 22 & 23): Five participants trained in stream habitat assessment, water quality monitoring, and juvenile fry identification, dedicating 70 hours to stream health training.
- Invasive Plant Removal (June 26): Volunteers and summer staff removed invasive species from Reg Franklin Park along Morse Creek, equating to five bathtubs full of invasive plants and contributing 16 total hours to habitat restoration.
- Native Tree & Shrub Planting (June 27): Over 40 native plants, including sword fern and native rose, were installed, with 18 total volunteer hours contributed.
- Storm Drain Marking (July 16 & 24): Marked 90 storm drains to raise awareness about pollution prevention, with 14 hours of volunteer work.
Project Achievements
Since its inception, our Freshwater Initiatives Project has:
- Contributed 868+ volunteer hours to Morse Creek restoration.
- Removed 72 cubic meters of invasive plants, filling over 405 bathtubs.
- Planted 318 native trees and shrubs to restore riparian areas.
- Collected and properly disposed of 1,279 pieces of litter.
- Engaged 632 youth and adults in activities promoting freshwater health.
This project would not have been possible without the generous support of Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Stewart Family Foundation, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and many other partners and community members. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported our efforts! Together, we are making a lasting impact on freshwater conservation and community resilience.
