HUBBUB ★ WINNER 

Our project consisted of observing, learning, evaluating and documenting the work of the Squamish Streamkeepers Society to support Pacific herring spawning in False Creek. We’ve created a website that provides information about the Squamish Streamkeepers Society, Pacific herring, how to build and deploy a spawning net, and more. The goal of our project was to effectively communicate the work of the Squamish Streamkeepers to the public in order to raise awareness and to teach others about an effective method to increase Pacific herring spawning habitat. 

The Squamish Streamkeepers is a non-profit community of volunteers passionate about restoring local fish populations in British Columbia. Their efforts towards restoring Pacific herring populations in False Creek began in 2012. Industrialization in False Creek, such as dredging and the development of marinas has destroyed the habitats that Pacific herring would originally spawn on. To mimic those habitats, the Streamkeepers deploy net panels every year that act as artificial kelp beds for the Pacific herring to lay eggs on.

As environmental scientists, we are extremely grateful to have been able to work with and learn from the Squamish Streamkeepers Society. It was an amazing experience to be able to make a visible improvement in our own community and to support the people who make that change happen. The accomplishments of the Squamish Streamkeepers Society is the perfect example of the large impact that can be made by one small but passionate group. We have learned so much over these past 8 months, and we will hold onto this experience for the rest of our lives.