Salmon return to Spanish Banks Creek Restoration Project in the City of Vancouver

Streamkeepers, Citizen Science at its Best

Spanish Banks Creek is located in the most western part of the City of Vancouver. It flows through Pacific Spirit Regional Park, under Marine Drive, and into English Bay at Spanish Banks beach. The creek was salmon-bearing prior to urban development.

Salmon are able to return to Spanish Banks Creek for the first time in over fifty years thanks to a community-inspired project that brought citizens and government agencies together to restore fish access and fish habitat to the creek's lower reaches, reports Zo Ann Morten, Executive Director of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation.

"The Federation encourages the measurement of baseline stream health through a network of qualified trainers using streamkeepers methodology. This methodology is contained in a Handbook and Modules that are government developed, scientifically sound techniques, described in plain language."

This winning combination has been successful in building community capacity across British Columbia. The results have been positive changes in government policy, regulations and attitudes and most importantly, a growing and knowledgeable stewardship community taking action in their local waterways

To Learn More: To view a short documentary about the project, click on this link: http://vimeo.com/24955762. Zo Ann Morten elaborates on the Spanish Banks Creek Restoration Project.