A Rocha Canada’s Upper Bulkley River Streamkeepers, local contractors and volunteers have been busy constructing phase one of Houston’s watershed stewardship facility.
The building that will house a small coho hatchery and streamkeepers lab is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for coho eggs this fall.
“It’s a bit surreal to be honest,” said Cindy Verbeek, northern B.C. project coordinator with A Rocha Canada. “We have spent the last two years fundraising and the team here is super excited.”
The $80,000 facility will be a hub for conservation, research and education in the Upper Bulkley River watershed and will be geared towards school groups, tourists and local volunteers.
Volunteers will care for and raise the coho eggs until the fry are released in the spring of 2018.
Although the fish hatchery will also help repopulate the Upper Bulkley River - considered one of the most impacted watersheds in the greater Skeena watershed - Verbeek said the main goal of the project is to increase information-sharing.
“Our goal is to engage the community and equip them to create a healthier watershed,” she explained. “The education piece is to train people to be able to go out on the river and take samples, records and notes and be able to report back, and sort of be the eyes of the river.”
“Healthier watershed means healthier people, livestock and wildlife,” she added. “It’s a win win win for everyone.”
Verbeek said this project would not have been possible without the contributions of over 50 local businesses and organizations, local individuals, as well as people from the Lower Mainland, Edmonton and beyond.
“We could not have done it without them,” she said. “It truly is a community effort.”
“The excitement and hope is palpable,” she added. “We have people driving by the building daily to watch the progress.”
The 20 by 30 feet building is located on land provided by Canadian Forest Products (Canfor).
“The protection of our habitat and wildlife is of great importance to Canfor, which is why we are proud to support the Upper Bulkley River Streamkeepers,” said Don Kayne, Canfor president and CEO. “The centre will play an important role in watershed education for the local community and visitors to the Houston area.”
Phase two of the project will involve expanding the facility, making it a 40 by 30 feet building. This will allow for the creation of the nature centre and the environmental education centre. However, it’s still unclear when phase two will begin.
“Phase two will happen in $150,000,” said Verbeek. “We are expecting this to take a couple of years to raise, but would be thrilled to start building sooner if someone with a heart for salmon, education and the health of this watershed is willing to provide funding sooner.”
The facility’s grand opening, which will include a barbecue, crafts for kids, entertainment, a silent auction, door prizes and a tour of the facility, is set to take place on Sept. 23, 2017.
