Tag Archives: salmon

Salmon Sunday at Cariboo Dam

Chum are the most common salmon species you may see at Cariboo Dam in the fall. iStock

One of the great things about the return of the traditional fall weather – cooler temperatures and rain – is the return of spawning salmon. Join the BLPA to celebrate their return!

DATE: Sunday, October 22
TIME: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
MEET: Cariboo Dam

Cariboo Dam, located at the east end of Burnaby Lake, is a great spot to view one of the great miracles of the natural world as salmon return from the ocean to their natal stream to spawn and complete their life cycle.

Visit our display to learn about salmon, the history of Cariboo Dam, the birds and wildlife you will see around the park during this time of year, the history of the BLPA, our activities and how to get involved!

Pick up a Waterways of Burnaby poster so you can find the streams in your neighbourhood.

We are also offering a guided nature walk using the iNaturalist app. It’s a great tool that you can download to help you identify the nature around you.

Register for the 12 pm Guided Nature walk here.

Fall is a great time to use the app! You may be able to capture sightings of organisms that can be only seen this time of year like funghi and spawning salmon. Also, the Regional Parks Snap & Share project is happening during the month of October! By registering and sharing your observations, you can be eligible to win a prize!

Register for Snap & Share here.

You can also share your salmon sightings with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society‘s annual Salmon Spawn Watch. With climate change and other pressures, the number of salmon returning to each stream every year is changing. You can help them better understand what is happening with salmon around the province with just your phone and a social media account. Learn how to take part here and be eligible for prizes!

Cariboo Dam overlooks the Brunette River to the East where the salmon have made their way from the Fraser. They will spawn in the Brunette or make their way up any of the tributaries such as Stoney Creek or Eagle Creek. Some of them will rest and continue up the beautiful fishway into Burnaby Lake.

Salmon come back to their natal stream where they were ‘born’ because they ‘know’ it is a good place to spawn; they won’t waste time looking for a stream with good habitat and other salmon. Scientists believe that salmon navigate by using the earth’s magnetic field like a compass.When they find the river they came from, they start using smell to find their way back to their home stream. They build their ‘smell memory-bank’ when they start migrating to the ocean as young fish.1

Cariboo Dam is located on Cariboo Road between Government Road and Avalon Avenue in Burnaby, BC. You can park at the lot at 9157 Avalon Avenue or look here for directions.

1 US Geological Survey

Stewardship Partner Recognised with Environmental Award

We are happy to share the news that Elmer Rudolph, who has been a leader in the Sapperton Fish & Game Club for over 35 years, has been recognised by the City of Burnaby with a 2020 Environmental Award in the category of Community Stewardship, for his outstanding commitment to community action for environmental protection and rehabilitation of the Brunette River, which Burnaby Lake flows into at the east end of the park.

From the City of Burnaby’s September 29, 2020 news release:

Elmer Rudolph has shown outstanding commitment to community stewardship, conservation and environmental protection with efforts that have rehabilitated Burnaby’s natural environment.

Since being recognized with an Environmental Award in 1996 — the very first year of Burnaby’s awards program — Mr. Rudolph spent the following 24 years volunteering to protect Burnaby’s diverse ecosystems. Mr. Rudolph is a former member and president of the Sapperton Fish & Game Club, where he has volunteered since 1984 leading conservation initiatives and rehabilitation programs in the Brunette watershed. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to community stewardship through his actions and advocacy for pollution prevention and the ecological health of the Brunette River and Burnaby Lake. Mr. Rudolph has worked on rehabilitation projects that include the installation of large woody debris and in-stream weirs, and the cleaning out of spawning beds to provide opportunities for successful salmon reproduction.

In 1997, Mr. Rudolph played a key role in starting a community fish hatchery in Burnaby, which has enhanced salmon populations in the Brunette River watershed, including significant salmon-bearing streams in Burnaby such as Eagle Creek, Still Creek, Beecher Creek, Guichon Creek and Deer Lake Brook. The community hatchery operates through the Salmonid Enhancement Program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which works to conserve fish stocks, rebuild the salmon population and improve fish habitats. Each year, Mr. Rudolph volunteers his time to work on salmon rehabilitation projects, coordinate and manage volunteers, and advocate for the protection and conservation of salmon. He also spends time engaging youth in initiatives and educating them on the importance of species conservation.

Mr. Rudolph has played an exemplary role in community stewardship for the Brunette River and has inspired those who have worked alongside him, as well as his community. His dedication, leadership and commitment to protecting Burnaby’s diverse ecosystem has made a positive impact on species conservation while demonstrating the importance of community action for environmental protection.

You will find this sign installed at Cariboo Dam at the east end of Burnaby Lake which connects it to the Brunette River It features Elmer Rudolph and the important work he participated in to clean up the river so the salmon could return. Congratulations, Elmer! You will find out more history about the Brunette River watershed here.

There City presents two levels of awards:

  • Environmental Award – Recognises environmental achievements of a larger scale, such as long-term commitments to an organization or cause, leadership, and projects of a significant size and relatively complex scope that have a broader community impact.
  • Environmental Star – Recognises environmental achievements of a smaller or more individual scale that may serve to catalyse larger initiatives and inspire others.

To find out more about the City of Burnaby’s Environmental Awards Program and the other 2020 winners, click here.

The BLPA and some of its members have been recognised in the past for their efforts in Community Stewardship: (*under its former name)

  • 2016 – Star – Dave Stafford
  • 2008 – Award – John Thomson, Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*
  • 2008 – Award – Tony Fabian, Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*
  • 2006 – Star – Burnaby Lake Advisory Association* Weedbusters
  • 2004 – Award – Joe Sadowski
  • 2000 – Star – Joe Sadowski
  • 1998 – Award – Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*

Great Salmon Send Off 2020 – CANCELLED

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CANCELLED

“As you all must have anticipated, we’ve had to make the sad decision to cancel the public Great Salmon Send-Off event on May 9th, 2020 as a safety measure due to the current Coronavirus.
– – –
We want to thank you, the community, for your ongoing support. This event has always been about education. We will continue to protect, preserve, and enhance Burnaby’s urban forest and salmon-bearing stream.

Stay safe and we will all get through this together.

John Templeton
Stoney Creek Environment Committee President”

Read full message here

 

This event includes displays and activities provided by our volunteers, community groups and organizations, live entertainment and, of course, the main event: the opportunity to release young salmon into Stoney Creek.

The “GSSO” takes place on the second Saturday in May from 10am to 2pm in the grounds of the Stoney Creek Community School and has a strong reputation in the community, bringing a great turnout of participants and attendees, rain or shine!