Salmon Steward is the official publication of the Pacific Salmon Foundation in British Columbia, Canada
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/496204
Honouring the people who make it possible for us to help Pacific salmon Gala GivinG The Pacific Salmon Foundation's annual Vancouver Gala Dinner & Auction is one of the major lynchpins in our efforts to fund essential community salmon programs. Since 1987, the Foundation has provided $45.4 million to support salmon restoration, conservation and enhancement projects in British Columbia. These funds have been matched with in-kind contributions and money from corporate partners, First Nations, individuals, community organizations and government to the tune of $161 million. Amidst the wine, cocktails and sparkling conversation, the approximately 700 guests have the opportunity to do their part for Pacific salmon via auctions of prizes like first-class fishing trips, First Nations art, carved gold jewelry and an array of choice fishing rods. For the last three years, Goldcorp has been the evening's lead sponsor, donating $50,000; thus it seemed only fitting that CEO Chuck Jeannes would be the honorary chair for the 2015 Gala Dinner. Said Jeannes, "As a resource company leader and outdoorsman, I appreciate the critical place Pacific salmon occupy in our environment and the duty we all have to ensure a sustainable future for this critical natural resource." EvEryonE For Salmon TurninG ThE TidE The Pacific Salmon Foundation's Salish Sea Marine Survival Project is celebrating its second year of helping to understand and restore a critical Pacific salmon ecosystem that supports about 3,000 different marine species. The five-year, $10-million program of ecosystem research and habitat restoration to increase production of Chinook, Coho and Steelhead in the Strait of Georgia got off to a strong start, debuting pilot projects in the Cowichan watershed that will help create a blueprint for expanding to other watersheds around the Strait. As with our other initiatives, the Salish Sea project wouldn't exist without the support of an array of partners, and to date, the U.S./Canada initiative can count more than 40 partners who have provided cash, in-kind support and matching funds to maximize resources for the project. Individuals, corporations, government and other NGOs have helped the Pacific Salmon Foundation raise $8 million of the total $10-million budget for Canadian efforts in the Strait of Georgia. Thank you to the following organizations for their generous and continued support! Province of British Columbia, living rivers Trust Fund — supported eelgrass and forage fish habitat research and restoration initiatives through the project. Genome BC — a major funder of the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative to clarify the presence and/or absence of microbes that could be causing disease in farmed, hatchery and wild Pacific salmon. Sitka Foundation — provided major support for creation of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre, an open-access repository for all things Strait of Georgia (sogdatacentre.ca). Kinder morgan — supporting research efforts in Burrard Inlet. Canadian Fishing Company and FaS Seafood Producers — donating vessel time and operations for sampling activities. Goldcorp — provided startup funding for the project. Other key partners include U.S. project lead long live the Kings based in Seattle, Fisheries and oceans Canada, Port metro vancouver, Eagle Wing Tours, university of British Columbia, ritchie Family Foundation, the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund Society and the Board of directors of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Major donations also came from members of the Foundation's Major Donors Circle, including Tony allard, rudy north and Stuart Wolfe. 22 2015 psf.ca Longtime supporter Helijet dresses up the event with one of its helicopters every year. Summer students conduct nearshore species sampling in Cowichan Bay.