Salmon Steward

receive grAnts froM the PAcific sAlMon foundAtion serving on the committee is visiting the project sites, getting to know the volunteers and coming to appreciate the unselfish work they're doing. I have personally seen about 80 per cent of them across the province. What strikes me time and again is how resourceful these groups are, and their ability to leverage Foundation funds. The Foundation will fund up to 50 per cent of these projects, but the community groups have to match that money with other funds and volunteer labour. Most of the time, volunteers are actually exceeding that expectation and matching funds at a ratio of 7:1! It's a big draw for donors, because they're getting a lot of bang for their buck. This approach has also resulted in local companies stepping up as matching funders for projects, and in the process becoming educated and much more engaged in what's going on in their local watershed. Companies and foundations such as Goldcorp, Sitka Foundation, TimberWest and TransCanada have been important donors – not to mention the many generous individuals who o¦er support. But the most essential funding comes from the Salmon Conservation Stamp that recreational fishers must buy to retain their licence to fish salmon in the tidal waters of B.C. The Community Salmon Program used to benefit from about 20 per cent of proceeds from the Stamp. But after working with some key MPs to educate them on the value of volunteers in conserving salmon – B.C's share was increased to 100 per cent, resulting in about $1.5 million per year in available grants distributed through the Foundation. Despite the extra Stamp funds, we're still turning away about half of qualified project applications. So there's still a great need there. That's why the Foundation works year-round on other fundraising initiatives such as community dinners around the province, the year-end fundraising appeal, charitable fishing derbies and growing partnerships with corporations. Last summer, we even tried a crowdfunding campaign that proved very successful. The good news is that the base of donors who are supporting the Community Salmon Program is growing annually. And when you hear stories about the passion and dedication of these volunteers – and just how much they get done – it's hard not to want to chip in. The Chehalis River Hatchery started a long-term partnership with the Sts'ailes and Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., making significant contributions to sport, commercial and First Nations fisheries in the Chehalis and Harrison Rivers, and along the B.C. coast. In 2010, the Harrison was named the first Canadian Salmon Stronghold, for which the Sts'ailes currently serve as chair, working with the Foundation and other stakeholders to safeguard this critical salmon habitat. Who: Port Hardy Marine Resource Society Where: Port Hardy What: $2,000 grant for an oil spill seminar Now defunct, the Port Hardy Marine Resource Society was prompted to deliver a seminar by 1989's infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill, which led the B.C. government to call for a moratorium on o¦shore exploration permits. Who: Oyster River Enhancement Society Where: Oyster River, Courtenay What: $15,000 grant to improve salmon habitat and build a spawning channel "I came in 1984, just after the Society had started," says Father Charles Brandt, emeritus director for the Oyster River Enhancement Society. "I am a monk and I had just trucked my hermitage from the Tsolum River for resettlement on the lower Oyster. My new neighbour, John Ferguson, was concerned with the frequent flooding – he wanted to build channels to help redirect the river. So, using some of his own money, John helped found the Oyster River Enhancement Society . . . When we started, the Oyster was nearly a 'dead' river but the last couple years has seen some great returns, with some 11,000 Coho, 60,000 Pinks and 500-600 Chinook returning annually." Who: Steelhead Society of British Columbia Where: Bulkley River, Houston What: $9,500 to build a fence for counting fish Formed in 1970 by a group of Steelhead anglers concerned about the state of wild steelhead stocks, the Society primarily consists of North Americans, but has members from around the world. Counting fish with the Steelhead Society of B.C. Oil spills can have devastating impact on every facet of the environment. Volunteers get their hands dirty in a newly constructed channel of the Oyster River. salmon Steward magazine 25 YEars YE YE YE YE YE YE YE YEars ars ars ars ars ars ars ars ars ars ars

• Cover