What We Do

Our mission is threefold:

Salmon: we monitor salmon bearing streams, via stream walks to ensure ecological integrity and riparian zone health are maintained on the Squamish River (not the main-stems); from Furry Creek in the South to 29.5 Mile Creek the Upper Squamish Valley in the North, and Swift Creek in Paradise Valley. We count returning salmon while ensuring their spawning streams are passable and publish the counts via email, usually every week. After spawning season passes, at Februaries end, a year-end report is compiled and published. During the summer as some of our streams and channels dry, we rescue stranded Coho Salmon fry.

Herring: in the past before the East pier of Squamish Terminals burnt down in April of 2009, streamkeepers helped to re-establish upper Howe Sound’s herring population. Currently, we have test net panels (artificial spawning substrate), out in Squamish at the Government Wharf. Additionally, we have helped to re-establish the Pacific Herring population in Vancouver’s False Creek at the Fishermans Wharf, which is an extension of the Squamish First Nations Traditional Lands and Territories and we continue to coordinate restoration work fro herring there.

Community Engagement: Along with other environmental groups we participate in public outreach initiatives to commemorate Earth Day, World Rivers Day and the False Creek Herring Festival by setting up display tables in Squamish and Vancouver. At displays we share information about salmon and herring. In early May, for two weeks, the Squamish Streamkeepers assist Rhonda O’Grady of the Squamish River Watershed Society with their elementary school outdoor education program.