26 The Scrivener Volume 13 Number 1 March 2004
British Columbia’s streamsand wetlands are valuable natural
resources. Stream corridorssupport more species of plantsand animals than any otherhabitats and provide importantrefuges and migration routes for birds and wildlife. Streamsare also essential formaintaining our renownedsalmon and trout runs.
Streams respond rapidly to the
pressures of residential and industrial
activity in surrounding drainage areas or
watersheds. Streams are good indicators of
watershed health. Since we all live within a
watershed, we all share the responsibility of
maintaining the quality of the natural
resources within them.
Pressures from development will
continue to increase as our population
expands in many areas of the province.
Habitat will continue to be lost when we
do not appreciate fully the value of our
aquatic resources. Plant and animal
populations that depend on undisturbed
land will be threatened.
The growing number of volunteers
committed to working to protect and
restore aquatic habitats in our province
find support and information in the
Streamkeepers Program.
Development of the Streamkeepers
Program began in October 1993 as an
initiative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(FOC). With funds provided by the Fraser
River Action Plan, FOC created the
Streamkeepers Handbook, a 14-module
training manual.
The Streamkeepers Program:
• provides volunteers with the training
and support required to protect and
restore local aquatic habitat;
• educates the public about the
importance of watershed resources; and
• encourages communication and
cooperation in watershed management.
Over the years, many programs have
been started to engage the public in
environmental causes. Citizens volunteer
their time, forming stream stewardship
organizations that oversee enhancement
projects such as salmon restoration and
streamside treeplanting—as well as rallying
governments for watershed protection.
Since 1996, thousands of British
Columbia residents have been trained using
the Streamkeepers methodology. There are
25 Streamkeepers program trainers located
in BC. As volunteer streamkeepers, citizens
are able to monitor and evaluate stream
conditions and alert authorities when there
are problems with local streams.
Nichole Marples
The Streamkeepers Program
Streamkeepers Community Day Riparian Planting Project
Scriv Spring 04 3/18/04 8:25 PM Page 26
Volume 13 Number 1 March 2004 The Scrivener 27
The Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
(PSkF) was initiated in May 1995 at a
Community Involvement Workshop held
in Williams Lake, attended by more than
300 stream restoration volunteers from BC
and the Yukon. The PSkF is a non-profit
society committed to supporting over 250
community groups involved in
Streamkeepers activities throughout BC
and the Yukon.
The Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
provides services such as Third Party
Limited Liability Insurance for members.
Over 3000 people and their works are
covered by the Streamkeepers VIP:
Volunteer Insurance Plan. For more
information or to become a member, please
visit www.pskf.ca. ▲
The Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
720 Orwell Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 2G3
Voice: 604 986-5059
Voice/Fax: 1-800-723-PSkF (7753)
Nichole Marples has 10 years ofcommunity involvement in streamstewardship and environmentaleducation projects throughoutthe Fraser Valley.
Streamkeepers Training in Squamish, BC
The Salvation ArmyPublic Relations & Development
902A Caledonia Avenue
Victoria, BC V8T 1E8
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Scriv Spring 04 3/18/04 8:25 PM Page 27