Community workshops are a valuable tool as they allow us to educate local communities, while also including them in the conversation. Our workshops provide powerful action plans that members of any given community can implement in their own backyard.
Feb. 23, 2019
Speakers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation (PSKF) explained aspects of the federal Wild Salmon Policy Implementation Plan, with a focus on streams and on how Streamkeepers and the general public can support the implementation of the plan. It is particularly timely, as 2019 is the International Year of the Salmon.
Resources
VIDEO: Watch presentations from the Feb. 23 Workshop on the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation’s YouTube page. (The link will take you to a YouTube playlist.)
Summary: NSSK-Workshop-Wild-Salmon-Policy-Implementation-Plan-Feb-23-2019b (PowerPoint file)
Speaker Presentations from February 23, 2019:
March 18, 2017
Our second annual workshop focused on stormwater management and how community members can minimize the impact of projected increases in rainfall and decreases in pervious surface and tree cover on our streams and the critters that live there.
Two speakers were invited to share their perspectives: Kim Stephens, Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC, and Julie Wilson, Academic Coordinator of the Master of Land and Water Management program at UBC. Following their presentations, the audience broke into discussion groups to address particular issues.
Ways that homeowners and government can work together to reduce high water events were discussed, including encouraging incorporation of green infrastructure such as rain gardens and swales to reduce runoff while taxing increases in impervious surface to reflect increased infrastructure costs that result.
Resources
Detailed description of the Forum/Workshop and supporting documents can be found here.
February 6, 2016
This workshop focused on the impact of climate change on North Shore fish and Habitat. Invited speakers included Dr. Ken Ashley, Director of the Rivers Institute at BCIT, and Dr. Stewart Cohen, Senior Researcher with the Climate Data Analysis Section of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Mayor Richard Walton and MLA Jane Thornwaite made opening remarks. Discussion followed the presentations. One hundred guests attended. The workshop was organized by Janet Dysart and Glen Parker.
The workshop identified the following directions for advocacy and action:
Advocacy – To support integrated stormwater management programs to improve stream characteristics; engage with Port Metro Vancouver to preserve and expand estuaries & stream complexity; plan and build conservation areas in parks, especially along riparian Areas; address trail building and ensure trail standards that protect riparian areas; support the Cohen commission recommendations, in particular Recommendation #46.
Action – To engage in projects to add complexity to existing estuaries and streams, to cool and clean the streams, and to restore riparian ecosystems; to act as whistle blowers against stream channelization and encroachment on setbacks, to educate, educate, educate – especially the young.
Resources
For a detailed description of the Forum/Workshop, please see our summary presentation.
Contact the BC Government:
Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP)
24 hr hotline: 1‐877‐952‐7277
Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada if
salmon are involved:
Observe, Record, Report
1‐800‐465‐4336
DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
