The Coho Society of the North Shore is in its 34th year of continuous operation raising funds and educating the public in connection with the protection and rehabilitation of salmon streams on the North Shore. To meet its objectives, the Coho Society works closely with business, government, education and environmental groups in promoting public awareness and understanding of fisheries as an important and vital natural resource. Over the years, with a dedicated group of volunteers, and through the generous donations of sponsors, over $500,000 has been raised for that purpose for a variety of projects. Partner environmental groups on the North Shore that have been the recipient of these funds include: West Vancouver Streamkeepers, North Vancouver Stream Keepers, Seymour Salmonid Society, North Shore and Bowen Island Fish and Game Clubs, North Shore Outdoor School, University of BC Zoology Centre and many others.
Some of the projects to which the Coho Society has contributed funding include the new salmon rearing pond in McDonald Creek, fish ladder in Cypress Creek to facilitate migration of adult salmon to upstream spawning habitat, research into the effects of water temperature upon salmon spawning, MacKay Creek hatchery improvements as well as providing fish tanks for the DFO "Salmonids in the Classroom" program. This program entails providing chillers to schools to maintain the classroom incubation tanks for salmon fry at a cool seven degrees. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about the life-cycle of salmon and why it is important to protect and enhance their habitat. Another event is the ever popular annual Adopt-A-Fish program, which is held annually in collaboration with West Vancouver Streamkeepers. For this event, children are provided with an adoption certificate that then permits them to release a juvenile salmon into MacDonald Creek near the West Vancouver library. This event was conceived a decade ago with objective of creating a greater public awareness of the importance of salmon streams.
"Getting kids involved, does two things," said Gordon Adair, on the board of the society. "It not only adds more fish to the streams, but it gets kids thinking about what's going on, and helps them care about what's happening to the fish." The annual festival he adds, is similarly dual purposed. It's a family event, with music, games and entertainment; and it's an educational fair, with displays and information available from conservation organizations and even DFO. We welcome the public to join the society's efforts by
donating, volunteering for various opportunities or coming out to the festival in September.
For more information on the Coho Society, visit www.cohosociety.com
