$24,000 granted to Oceanside Community Salmon projects by the Pacific Salmon Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2nd, 2020

$24,000 granted to Oceanside Community Salmon projects by the Pacific Salmon Foundation 

VANCOUVER – The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) announces grants for four projects in the Oceanside area totaling $24,665 through the PSF Community Salmon Program (CSP). The total value of the projects, which includes community fundraising, contributions and volunteer time, is $137,359 and is focused on habitat rehabilitation, education, outreach and stock enhancement in the Oceanside area.

  • Guardians of Mid Island Estuaries Society, Eco-Cultural Estuary Restoration
  • Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, Stream Crossing Yellow Fish Signs for the Englishman Watershed
  • Parksville Fish & Game Association, Marion Baker Hatchery Water Quality Improvement
  • Nile Creek Enhancement Society, Hatchery Upgrades

Mike Meneer, PSF president and CEO, with PSF Tim Clermont, Executive Director of Guardians of Mid Island Estuaries Society, in front of a completed stretch of fencing protecting sensitive salmon habitat from non-native geese, Campbell River estuary, August 2020.

“Eco-cultural restoration of sedge marsh habitat was initially developed in partnership with the K’omoks and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. We have now transitioned to building habitat exclosures that resemble Indigenous fish weirs for a modern purpose, to protect and enhance salmon habitat,” said Tim Clermont, Executive Director with The Guardians of Mid Island Estuaries Society. “Our volunteer-based society conducted research in 2010 on the Little Qualicum and Englishman River estuaries to build fenced exclosures to stop locally over-abundant Canada Goose herbivory and degradation of Carex sedge marsh habitat, which is critical for salmon juveniles and a sign of a healthy productive estuary. Thanks to the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the City of Parksville, Sna-Naw-As First Nation, and the Regional District of Nanaimo we have managed the local goose population and restored over 5,000 m2 of prime sedge marsh habitat at these Oceanside estuaries.”

“Support from the Pacific Salmon Foundation has provided us with funds to develop our hatchery and replace collapsing culverts. This year the PSF grant will upgrade our six tanks and provide a water delivery upgrade to the tanks, giving better distribution and less silt. Without the generous help from Pacific Salmon Foundation it would be a struggle to complete these projects,” Jack Gillen, President Nile Creek Enhancement Society.

“These are great projects for Pacific salmon, and we know that Pacific salmon need our help now to restore spawning habitats in stream and rivers, carry out stock assessment and enhancement, and provide educational opportunities,” says Michael Meneer, Pacific Salmon Foundation President and CEO. “The Community Salmon Program values its partnerships with grassroot organizations like the Guardians of Mid Island Estuaries Society, the Parksville Fish & Game Association, the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat, the Nile Creek Enhancement Society and all of our partners in communities across the province.”

PSF’s Community Salmon Program is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s Salmon Conservation Stamp. The Salmon Stamp is purchased annually by saltwater anglers who participate in the public fishery. Proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to British Columbia through PSF, generating nearly $1.5 million for community grants annually.

The Oceanside community is also a strong financial contributor through the annual PSF Oceanside Dinner and Auction. Though postponed for now, the local organizing committee are hopeful that the event will be able to return soon.

This spring PSF has awarded more than $1.2M in grants to 117 grassroots salmon conservation projects across British Columbia. The value of these projects is nearly $10M Including local fundraising and volunteerism. Thousands of volunteers will be supported to:

  • Restore salmon habitat in streams, rivers and estuaries
  • Operate conservation hatcheries & related education programs.
  • Undertake a variety of “citizen science” projects to help better understand the challenges Pacific salmon face amidst climate change.

The Province of British Columbia also contributed funds to Community Salmon Program as part of a $5 million grant, through 2023 to address the immediate and ongoing needs of Pacific salmon and their habitats.

Community Salmon Program grants support projects from across British Columbia and the Yukon, with a focus on habitat stewardship, salmon enhancement, science and education. In addition to funds generated from the Salmon Conservation Stamp, and from the Province of BC, these grants are made possible by corporate donations from Trans Mountain, Mosaic Forest Management, BC Hydro, Enbridge, Methanex, Seaspan, FortisBC Energy. Funds are also raised through Pacific Salmon Foundation fundraising dinners, auctions and donations from individuals, foundations and businesses.

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About the Pacific Salmon Foundation:

PSF is the independent, thoughtful leader and catalyst in conservation, restoration, and enhancement of Pacific salmon and their ecosystems through strategic partnerships and leveraged use of resources. www.psf.ca