We have added a new link on our website where you can now easily download and read the monthly mail out of "The Water Ship News".

Please click on the image below, to link to our new page on this site, and to download your own copies, read archived newsletters or visit the "salmoninschools.ca" link for additional information.

"At the edge of Douglas Creek in Mount Doug Park on Saturday, small but mighty volunteers are heaving frozen salmon as far as they can.

These salmon aren’t going to come back to life, but it’s still a resurrection of sorts.

“It’s really part of the ecosystem to have, basically, salmon fertilizer, what it amounts to, in the creek,” said Darrell Wick, president of Friends of Mount Douglas Society.

This annual fish flinging is an attempt to replenish nutrients in the area and boost the future salmon stock."

<<< READ MORE & WATCH THE NEWS RELEASE VIDEO>>>

CLICK HERE to read the full article on Salmon Enhancement in The Globe And Mail!

"At a Vancouver Island hatchery, dozens of people give their time to raise new salmon for British Columbian rivers. But with Ottawa’s coming changes to fisheries policy, will free labour be enough?" 

Article by: Justine Hunter Photo by: Chad Hipolito

Here is a great little video featuring Judy Ackinclose (Goldstream & Fanny Bay Salmon Hatchery President) discussing the need for salmon stewards and the impact that Pacific Salmon Foundation has on these volunteer based enhancement initiatives. Thank you to all the hard working volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to help our BC salmon stocks.

A Volunteer Service of the Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association
Editor – Don Lowen
"GVSEA publishes the Water Ship News on a monthly basis for educators, secondary students, agencies and community organizations.
The ‘News informs participants in Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Stream to Sea Program in the Capital Regional District.
The ‘News also notifies students and educators of training and volunteer opportunities concerning species enhancement and habitat restoration. In turn, community organizations find the support they require to fulfill their objectives."
 
Classroom Incubation

Calendar - The following events and dates remain in the 2017/18 calendar for the Classroom Incubation Program.

1. Late April / early May – fry releases.
2. By May 31st – Submit release data.
   
   

Technical Support during Incubation - By now, all coordinators have likely checked new projects. Drew and Gale will troubleshoot SSI projects for the duration of the year. For Vancouver Island and outer gulf island projects, if you have questions or concerns about your brood, please direct them to me.


Technical Reminders

1. Once your eggs have hatched, it is important that you record the number of alevins that survive this event.
2. Ensure that your tank is wearing its jacket at all times, unless you are observing your brood. Why? The darkness is an element of natural habitat, your chiller will last longer if it doesn’t have to work so hard, and the slight amount of vibration that it produces is not an element of natural habitat.
3. Ensure that you are deflecting the force of the water from the pump away from the eggs in the basket.
4. Please update your ATU sheet daily. It’s very useful when there is an issue.

 
Target Incubation Temperature – Maintain a target temperature of 5 Celsius, with a two-degree range. Hatchery temperatures are considerably lower; however, the incubators do not perform well if you set the thermostat lower than 5.
 
Chum Hatch Has Begun – Most of the 59 chum projects began hatching last weekend. Still too early for coho, except for those that received Demamiel coho on January 12th.
 
Success to Date – One Goldstream chum and one Goldstream coho project have failed at the egg stage. If this trend lasts, it will be a very successful year.
 
No Eggs for Re-Supply – Please note that there are no longer chum or coho eggs available for re-supply.
 
Chiller and Cart Purchase – The Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association has purchased and sold six aquarium chillers at a cost of $582.40 each, including tax. GVSEA also purchased six aquarium carts at $448 each, including tax. Three are still unsold.These prices are exactly 50% of the retail cost, and are subsidized thanks to a generous grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Please contact me at donlowen27@gmail.com for more information and/or to purchase one of these units.
 
GFI Reminder
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) protects people from electrical shock. You plug your devices, power bar or extension cord into the GFI, then you plug it into the wall.
I highly recommend it. This one sells for $36 at Canadian Tire:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-4-outlet-gfci-power-bar-0527268p.html#srp
 
Storm Drain Marking
Do you have it?
I have lost track my of one of the storm drain marking kits. If you have one, please let me know. Thank you! donlowen27@gmail.com.


Community Activities
Deadline March 1 – The Wild Postcard Project (University of British Columbia
The competition is open to kids and teens (ages 5-18) who are currently living in British Columbia.
Your artwork (whether you paint, draw, etch, screen print, etc.) must represent the biodiversity of BC in some way. Please also complete and include the competition entry form (found here).
Postmarked no later than 1 March 2018.
More details:  https://wildpostcardproject.com/bc-2018/
 
Deadline March 1 – BC Green Games
BC Green Games, Science World’s eco-storytelling contest, is open to K – 12 students in schools all over BC. 
Participating teams take action on an environmental cause that is important to them, document their work, and submit their stories to bcgreengames.ca for the chance to win $1000 and other prizes.  
Fish incubators, storm drain marking, and hatchery tours all make great BC Green Games projects. 
Share your environmental story. Submissions open now until March 1.
https://www.bcgreengames.ca/ or call 604 443 7499.


Friday March 30th and Saturday March 31st – Bioengineering with Dave Polster (Cowichan Land Trust)
Learn bioengineering techniques for restoration and reclamation of damaged ecosystems.  Day one is an indoor classroom day. Day two is in the field working on a restoration.
Cost $75.00, includes lunch on the first day and optional course manual. In Chemainus, BC. Registration required.
To register visit, https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bioengineering-with-dave-polster-tickets-43573075241, or call 250-746-0227 or email info@cowichanlandtrust.ca.
 
A LAST WILD SALMON - A Film by Watervisions
This documentary follows the life of one such salmon, underwater all the way, as it survives against impossible odds, battling natural and human forces. The film begins with one of Nature's most astonishing performances - the ancient spawning ritual - and follows each step of development in the salmon's life.
This award-winning film has been purchased by major networks and schools all over North America. 
If you want a DVD of "A Last Wild Salmon", please contact: 
Pauline@watervisions.com
WATERVISIONS
Cel (604) 729-0233 
 
Become a CRD Watershed Warden – Capital Regional District
Kids can earn their free CRD Watershed Warden badge by learning about, and taking of, their local watersheds.
Rainwater and Watersheds – A learning resources for elementary educators in the Capital Region, is an online document (pdf) which provides place-based lesson plans which can be easily adapted to various grade levels.
Free CRD Watershed Warden iron-on on badges may be earned by participating in any of the local programing or stewardship activities of your choice or that you do on your with your class.
Supporting online place-based resources include short videos, watershed maps, printable activities and graphics. Learn more at: www.crd.bc.ca/watersheds
 
Do You Teach Grade Three? Peninsula Streams Wants to Know!
The Peninsula Streams Society is looking for new schools (Grade 3) to deliver our Watershed Model and Salmon Lifecycle Program.
Can be scheduled to coincide with your school’s salmon fry release. Students will come out with knowledge on the water cycle, how watersheds function, how pollution affects the environment, and the salmon lifecycle. 
We have been delivering the program for 12 years. Please contact us at PeninsulaStreams@gmail.com or 250.363.6480 for details including program cost. 
More information can also be found at http://peninsulastreams.ca/education-programs/grade-3-program. 
Hope to hear from you!
 
New Lesson Plan: “Where the Land Meets the Sea” (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
The latest lesson plan released by DFO and designed for use in grades 4 to 11, is titled "Where the Land Meets the Sea - the Nearshore".  
The plan defines what this sensitive area of our world is, and highlights some of the little-known fish that use this place to spawn. Forage fish, so named because they are "forage", or food, for larger fish and many other creatures, are the corner stone of our food chain.  What happens to them will affect us all.  
You can find it at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/education/lessonplans-lecons/nearshore-zone-littorale-eng.html
 
Editor’s Note - The Water Ship News is an “e-newsletter” for CRD participants in the Classroom Incubation Program. Your email address is not contained in the header. To remove yourself from this mailing list, send an email from your address to donlowen27@gmail.com

A Volunteer Service of the Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association
Editor – Don Lowen
"GVSEA publishes the Water Ship News on a monthly basis for educators, secondary students, agencies and community organizations.
The ‘News informs participants in Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Stream to Sea Program in the Capital Regional District.
The ‘News also notifies students and educators of training and volunteer opportunities concerning species enhancement and habitat restoration. In turn, community organizations find the support they require to fulfill their objectives."
 
Classroom Incubation Calendar - The following events and dates comprise the 2017/18 calendar of events for the Classroom Incubation Program.

1. Monday, February 5th – Egg delivery to gulf islands
2. Wednesday February 7th – Egg delivery to Sidney Elementary, North Saanich Middle Schools
3. All other deliveries complete.
4. February 8th – Dissection workshop cancelled! No specimens available this year.
5. Late April / early May – fry releases.
6. By May 31st – Submit release data.
   
   

Egg Delivery Nearly Complete – Thanks to all of you for your efforts to have your incubators ready to go.
Special thanks also to Peter McCully for his able assistance at the Goldstream Hatchery, and to Mel Hull and Bill Pedneault for their help with eggs from the Jack Brooks Hatchery.

Technical Support during Incubation - Once the delivery process is complete, all coordinators will check new projects in a couple of weeks. Drew and Gale will also troubleshoot SSI projects for the duration of the year.
For Vancouver Island and outer gulf island projects, if you have questions or concerns about your brood, please direct them to me.

Target Temperature – I will update the ideal tank temperature monthly in this newsletter.

Chiller and Cart Purchase – The Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association has sold six aquarium chillers at a cost of $582.40 each, including tax. GVSEA will also sell six aquarium carts at $448 each, including tax. Four are still unsold.These prices are exactly 50% of the retail cost, and are subsidized thanks to a generous grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Please contact me at donlowen27@gmail.com for more information and/or to purchase one of these units.

 GFI Reminder -  A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) protects people from electrical shock. You plug your devices, power bar or extension cord into the GFI, then you plug it into the wall.
I highly recommend it. This one sells for $36 at Canadian Tire:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-4-outlet-gfci-power-bar-0527268p.html#srp
 
 Community Activities
 Wednesday February 7th - Matson Mattocks Weekly Restoration Days
Wednesdays 9 - 11 AM, weather dependent, contact roger.hird@shaw.ca  or 250-813-0433 to help remove invasive species and steward Matson Conservation Area in Esquimalt.
On that day, there will be a special Garry Oak Meadow Marathon event day that includes Matson Conservation Area.
Follow this link for more info:http://hat.bc.ca/i-want-to/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2018/02/07/239/-/meadow-marathon-matson-conservation-area-restoration-day


- Community Activities -


Saturday February 10th and Sunday February 11th - “Work That Reconnects - Reconnecting to Life” Retreat (Cowichan Estuary Nature Center)
As part of our ongoing work on climate change adaptation and resilience, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is pleased to bring a two day 'Work That Reconnects' workshop to Cowichan this February. If you’ve been overwhelmed by the unravelling of our world – the climate crisis, species extinction, violent conflict, increasing inequality – this is a time for connection and renewal.

Workshop venue is Providence Farm in Duncan, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Quw’utsun People.
$140 per person. If the cost of registration is a barrier to you, please email us to apply for a bursary.
For information and registration contact: info@transitioncowichan.org. If you need a place to stay, billeting can be arranged.
 
Application Deadline February 15th – Wild ARC summer staffing
It is that time of year again for Wild ARC to begin recruiting summer staff. 
Wild ARC will be hiring 2 Wildlife Rehabilitators, 4 Junior Wildlife Rehabilitators, and 2 Wildlife Assistants for the summer from 1 May to 3 September. Because these positions are funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program, candidates must currently be full-time students between the ages of 18-30 and intend to return to school next year.
Candidates who are interested in the positions should apply online at the link below.  The deadline for applications is 15 February 2018.
https://canr53.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/bcspca
 
Funding Deadline February 15th – Stream of Dreams (RLC Park Services)
Ever seen schools with hundreds of beautifully painted wooden fish attached to their fence?
Stream of Dreams is a whole school eco-education program that teaches about local watersheds, about our job to conserve and protect water, and it creates a community art legacy. It’s science; it’s art. It’s serious and it’s fun!
Every class participates in a science workshop and an art portion to transform a wooden fish into a dream fish.
More questions? Contact RLC Park Services nature@rlcparks.ca – your Stream of Dreams providers on the island!
Contact the Stream of Dreams Society via email: lulu@streamofdreams.org
Apply for Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) funding by February 15, 2018. https://www.psf.ca/what-we-do/community-salmon-program.
 
Thursday February 22nd - Blue Drinks Social (CaNOE and NAME)
Everyone welcome!  Network with fellow educators and scientists and learn more about marine education and ocean literacy in Canada.  Let's raise a 'blue drink' in honour of the ocean and all those who work to protect it. 
4–6 PM at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift Street, Victoria.  
Co-hosted by Canadian Network for Ocean Education CaNOE & BC Chapter of the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators NAME BC
 
Friday February 23rd and Saturday February 24th - Bioengineering with Dave Polster (Cowichan Land Trust)
Learn bioengineering techniques for restoration and reclamation of damaged ecosystems.  Day one is an indoor classroom day. Day two is in the field working on a restoration.
9 AM to 4 PM in Chemainus, BC/ Registration required. Cost $75.00, includes lunch on the first day.
To register visit, https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bioengineering-with-dave-polster-tickets-42691985879?aff=affiliate1, or call 250-746-0227 or email info@cowichanlandtrust.ca.
 
Deadline March 1 – BC Green Games
BC Green Games, Science World’s eco-storytelling contest, is open to K – 12 students in schools all over BC.
Participating teams take action on an environmental cause that is important to them, document their work, and submit their stories to bcgreengames.ca for the chance to win $1000 and other prizes.  
Fish incubators, storm drain marking, and hatchery tours all make great BC Green Games projects. 
Share your environmental story. Submissions open now until March 1.
https://www.bcgreengames.ca/ or call 604 443 7499.
 
 A LAST WILD SALMON - A Film by Watervisions
This documentary follows the life of one such salmon, underwater all the way, as it survives against impossible odds, battling natural and human forces. The film begins with one of Nature's most astonishing performances - the ancient spawning ritual - and follows each step of development in the salmon's life.
This award-winning film has been purchased by major networks and schools all over North America. 
If you want a DVD of "A Last Wild Salmon", please contact: 
Pauline@watervisions.com
WATERVISIONS
Cel (604) 729-0233 
 
Become a CRD Watershed Warden – Capital Regional District
Kids can earn their free CRD Watershed Warden badge by learning about, and taking of, their local watersheds.
Rainwater and Watersheds – A learning resources for elementary educators in the Capital Region, is an online document (pdf) which provides place-based lesson plans which can be easily adapted to various grade levels.
Free CRD Watershed Warden iron-on on badges may be earned by participating in any of the local programing or stewardship activities of your choice or that you do on your with your class.
Supporting online place-based resources include short videos, watershed maps, printable activities and graphics. Learn more at:www.crd.bc.ca/watersheds
 
Do You Teach Grade Three? Peninsula Streams Wants to Know!
The Peninsula Streams Society is looking for new schools (Grade 3) to deliver our Watershed Model and Salmon Lifecycle Program. Can be scheduled to coincide with your school’s salmon fry release. Students will come out with knowledge on the water cycle, how watersheds function, how pollution affects the environment, and the salmon lifecycle. 
We have been delivering the program for 12 years. Please contact us at PeninsulaStreams@gmail.com or 250.363.6480 for details including program cost. Hope to hear from you!
More information can also be found at http://peninsulastreams.ca/education-programs/grade-3-program. 

 
New Lesson Plan: “Where the Land Meets the Sea” (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
The latest lesson plan released by DFO and designed for use in grades 4 to 11, is titled "Where the Land Meets the Sea - the Nearshore".  
The plan defines what this sensitive area of our world is, and highlights some of the little-known fish that use this place to spawn. Forage fish, so named because they are "forage", or food, for larger fish and many other creatures, are the corner stone of our food chain.  What happens to them will affect us all.  
You can find it at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/education/lessonplans-lecons/nearshore-zone-littorale-eng.html
 
Editor’s Note - The Water Ship News is an “e-newsletter” for CRD participants in the Classroom Incubation Program. Your email address is not contained in the header. To remove yourself from this mailing list, send an email from your address to donlowen27@gmail.com

A Volunteer Service of the Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association
Editor – Don Lowen
"GVSEA publishes the Water Ship News on a monthly basis for educators, secondary students, agencies and community organizations.
The ‘News informs participants in Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Stream to Sea Program in the Capital Regional District. 
The ‘News also notifies students and educators of training and volunteer opportunities concerning species enhancement and habitat restoration. In turn, community organizations find the support they require to fulfill their objectives. 
 

Classroom Incubation Calendar – (This year’s workshops are all on Thursday’s at 4 PM. Venue is Tillicum School, 3155 Albina Street, near the intersection of Burnside and Tillicum Roads.)
The following events and dates comprise the 2017/18 calendar of events for the Classroom Incubation Program. 

1. To date - All incubators are assembled and operating in Town of Sooke and T’Sou-Ke FN. 
2. January 11th – Classroom incubation technical workshop (Mandatory for newcomers, all are welcome)
3. January 18th - Egg delivery from Jack Brooks Hatchery (Sooke).
4. By January 19th – All incubators outside of Sooke up and running.
5. Week of January 29th – Tentative dates for egg delivery from Goldstream Hatchery.
6. February 8th – Dissection workshop. All are welcome.
7. Late April / early May – fry releases.
8. By May 31st – Submit release data.

New Projects, Record Year – Welcome to 20 new participants this year, part of a record number of projects in this community’s classroom incubation program (109). I look forward to seeing all the new folks at the technical workshop this Thursday (See above), except for Reed Osler on Galiano Island. Please remember that attendance at this workshop is required before you can receive eggs later this month:
Caleb Kennedy                       Cathy Ireton                            Evelyn Morales
Jolene Smith                           Lisa Galway                            Maria Kendall
Mo Kheari                                Sandy Smith                            Andrea Joyce Jardim
Carleen MacDonald                Catherine Alpha                      Danielle Bouchard
Karin Watts                             Johanne Chouinard                Kyle Goy
Reed Osler                             Blaine Scott                             Kim Cobb
Sarah Donatelli                        Suzanne Normandin


Time to Set Up! – There are many good reasons to set up your incubator at least one week prior to egg delivery (See attached manual). Contact your coordinator ASAP if you have questions or concerns about setup.

Target Temperature – Please set your thermostats at 5 Celsius with a 2-degree range.

Goldstream Egg Delivery Schedule - Kate, Brent, Gale, Drew and I will complete egg deliveries during the week of January 29th. We will contact you very soon with our own delivery schedules.

Choice of Eggs/Recipient Streams - Please note that poor coho returns to the Goldstream River this year will have two impacts on this year’s classroom incubation program:

• For those classes releasing fry into Goldstream River, you will all receive chum eggs only.

• All classes incubating coho will receive 100 eggs.

• “Coho only” watersheds are Chalet, Colquitz, Cusheon, Duck, Fulford, Millstream, Reay, Roe, Tetayut, Tod/Wray.

• “Chum only” streams are Ganges, Goldstream, Greig, Lyall, Mt. Douglas.

Chiller and Cart Purchase – The Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association has sold six aquarium chillers at a cost of $582.40 each, including tax. GVSEA will also sell six aquarium carts at $448 each, including tax. Five are still unsold.These prices are exactly 50% of the retail cost, and are subsidized thanks to a generous grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Please contact me at donlowen27@gmail.com for more information and/or to purchase one of these units.

 GFI Reminder - A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) protects people from electrical shock. You plug your devices, power bar or extension cord into the GFI, then you plug it into the wall. I highly recommend it. This one sells for $36 at Canadian Tire: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-4-outlet-gfci-power-bar-0527268p.html#srp

 
- Community Activities -

​
January Activities – Habitat Acquisition Trust
Saturday January 13th, 12 – 2 PM - Habitat Acquisition Trust Volunteer Appreciation Day, A volunteer appreciation pizza party for current volunteers and those interested in volunteering with their local land trust! Hosted in conjunction with local artist Joanne Thomson’s Wild Anticipation event at the Martin Gallery, Joanne will do a walk and talk about her art from 9–11 AM for those that want to come early. Martin Bachelor Gallery (712 Cormorant St). RSVP to volunteers@hat.bc.ca.

Saturday, Jan 20th, 10 AM – 2 PM - Camas Hill Habitat Restoration Day, in Metchosin (emailvolunteers@hat.bc.ca for details, as this is a private conservation area only accessible by invitation). Join Habitat Acquisition Trust in removing invasive species, particularly Scotch broom, from this magnificent rocky outcrop and home to species of concern. Tools and training provided! Carpooling available, also located on a BC Transit route #61. RSVP to volunteers@hat.bc.ca

Jan 27th – 28th (email for times) - Workshop: Become a Certified Bee Friendly Farmer. We are looking for farmers: Enhance biodiversity, reduce input costs, and increase yields. You will learn about managed and native bees, and other beneficial insects, and how to add habitat to your farm. Site visit and hands on mason and bumble bee home creation. Guides and other take-homes included. Co-hosted by Habitat Acquisition Trust, Pollinator Partnership Canada, and Saanich Native Plants. At Haliburton Farm (741 Haliburton Rd), Email lm@pollinator.org to take part.

Wednesday January 31st 6:30 – 8:30 PM - Habitat Acquisition Trust AGM & Social, an opportunity to learn about HAT and local conservation over the past year. As well as a chance to meet the Board and mingle with fellow members. It's an excellent place to join in on the conservation conversation. There will be treats! You can RSVP to hatmail@hat.bc.ca but not required for this free event.


Deadline March 1 – BC Green Games
BC Green Games is an eco-storytelling contest for grades K – 12 in schools all over BC. Teams take action on an environmental cause that is important to them, document their actions, and submit their project to bcgreengames.ca for the chance to win great prizes. Fish incubators, storm drain marking, and hatchery tours all make great BC Green Games projects. Register your team today. Projects due between January 15 – March 1.
https://www.bcgreengames.ca/ or call 604 443 7499.

 
Do You Teach Grade Three? Peninsula Streams Wants to Know!
The Peninsula Streams Society is looking for new schools (Grade 3) to deliver our Watershed Model and Salmon Lifecycle Program. Can be scheduled to coincide with your school’s salmon fry release. Students will come out with knowledge on the water cycle, how watersheds function, how pollution affects the environment, and the salmon lifecycle. 
We have been delivering the program for 12 years. Please contact us at PeninsulaStreams@gmail.com or 250.363.6480 for details including program cost. More information can also be found at http://peninsulastreams.ca/education-programs/grade-3-program. Hope to hear from you!
 
New Lesson Plan: “Where the Land Meets the Sea” (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
The latest lesson plan released by DFO and designed for use in grades 4 to 11, is titled "Where the Land Meets the Sea - the Nearshore". The plan defines what this sensitive area of our world is, and highlights some of the little-known fish that use this place to spawn. Forage fish, so named because they are "forage", or food, for larger fish and many other creatures, are the corner stone of our food chain.  What happens to them will affect us all.  
You can find it at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/education/lessonplans-lecons/nearshore-zone-littorale-eng.html

 
Editor’s Note - The Water Ship News is an “e-newsletter” for CRD participants in the Classroom Incubation Program. Your email address is not contained in the header. To remove yourself from this mailing list, send an email from your address to donlowen27@gmail.com  "

Wednesday, November 29th 2017  

" Five thousand juvenile coho salmon were released into the Osborn Pond located on the 15th hole at the Bear Mountain golf course on Wednesday morning.

And students from Grade 3 and Grade 4 at Lakewood Elementary School went to witness the event.

The salmon went in as part of a larger conservation initiative to strengthen the numbers of salmon in the waters off the southeasterly tip of Vancouver Island.

“Osborn pond has been shown to be really really rich of benthic production which is the production of insects and creatures on the bottom of the pond in which these juveniles feed," said Peter Mccully,  technical advisor for the Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Association.

But Wednesday's demonstration was about more than just salmon release. The experience will help the students as they begin to learn about the cycle of the salmon from beginning to end.

"It's important that they learn where they are coming from and where they are going I mean most of them, they see it is in a grocery store or their parents putting it on their plate but they have no idea what the real system is like,” said class teacher Sherry Fawcett.

While the field trip was meant to be fun, it was really about the bigger picture.

"They are the future and if they understand the rigours and difficulties that these creatures faced in the course of their life perhaps they will be more in tune to those environmental needs that the fish have," said Mcully.

That way salmon populations stay plentiful for generations to come. "   ~ Re-posted from cheknews.ca

<< CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL STORY THAT WAS FEATURED ON CHEK NEWS >>