Streamkeepers
They've Been up to Something FISHY..
Fall marks the time of year when Pacific Salmon make their epic journey upstream to spawn.
It is the beginning of life anew for these species; when adults reproduce, leaving behind the next generation, and shortly thereafter, their own lives come to an end.
This is one of the very important reasons why it is vital for us to maintain our waterways. The Greenways Steamkeepers are actively involved in doing just that! Not only doing the work of maintaining and restoring these sensitive ecosystems, but in watching over them through monitoring water quality and by counting fish.
The Simm’s Creek Streamkeepers, alongside Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have recently installed the Fall Fish Fence on Simm’s Creek. Monitoring of the Fall Fish Fence informs us as to how populations of aquatic life are doing in the creek by providing data on which species are there, estimates of how many of each species are in the creek and data on them, such as sex and size.
This information not only keeps us up to date on current events in the creek; it also forms a set of data over successive years that can reveal trends in population sizes and species compositions, while contributing to the larger picture.
Monitoring of the creek is set to begin in mid-October and continue until the run slows in December.
Streamkeepers on Willow Creek, Woods Creek and Menzies Creek have also been busy, keeping an eye on water levels, watering plantings from last fall, watching for any potential concerns, and getting ready to watch for the return of spawning salmon.
Our local streamkeepers groups could always use an extra hand, so please let us know if you would like to help out with keeping our waterways healthy and productive.
Volunteer activities range from walking creeks to look for spawning salmon, helping with riparian cleanups and plantings, to helping out on the Simms fish fence.
If YOU love our local streams and want to be involved in volunteering for Streamkeeper activities, email Kyle at kyle@greenwaystrust.ca
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Haig-Brown Festival 2022
A Perfect Sunny Sunday
We had the pleasure of attending the annual Haig-Brown Festival again this year.
This years theme was Gardens, and while those of us at the booth chatted with members of our amazing community about gardens and food security, Greenways Director and Food Forest manager Chuck Desorcy shared his wealth of gardening knowledge in a presentation about permaculture.
We nearly lost him in the crowd of garden enthusiasts listening in hoping to glean some tips and tricks on how to make the most of their garden spaces!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to attend local events and have meaningful conversations (in person again!) with so many incredible members of our community.
Thank you to the Museum at Campbell River for organizing another great Haig-Brown Festival, we are already looking forward to next year!
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The Good Food Box Program Needs
YOU
Volunteer Driver Needed
Greenways is seeking someone with experience towing a trailer, to drive to Courtenay biweekly and pick up the food for our Good Food Box program here in Campbell River!
Ideal start date is October 11, 2022.
The driver can either drive their own truck (with a reimbursement for mileage) or the Greenways truck. A clean driving record from ICBC will be required prior to commencing volunteering.
Please contact callie@greenwaystrust.ca if you are interested
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Nature and Nutrition
Popular Program Alert!
We have had SO much interest in our amazing new Nature and Nutrition Seniors' Program !!
The September-December participant group filled up faster than we could say "Thank you Campbell River Mirror for highlighting this program in your paper" !!
We are currently placing applicants into the January portion of the program, but don't let that hold you back from contacting us to learn more!
We will be continuing the program into the Spring and Summer of 2023, so if you would like to participate or learn more, email Callie at callie@greenwaystrust.ca
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Curious Crayfish keeping an eye on our Streamkeepers during the installation of the Fall fish fence !!
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Be Part of the Change
Get Involved
If you are interested in volunteering with Greenways, please e-mail us at volunteer@greenwaystrust.ca or give us a call 250-287-3785. The Greenways office is now open from 10am-4pm Monday to Thursday. Please call ahead before dropping by the office – we are often on site or in meetings during this time.
Volunteers are needed for:
- Greenways Board of Directors
- Greenways Conservation Team
- Streamkeeping [Nunns, Woods, Simms, Willow, Haig-Brown Kingfisher & Detweiler Creek]
- Mountain View Community Food Forest
- Campbell River Hospital Food Forest
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 Nunns Creek Bridge
Safe New Crossing
The Nunns Creek Streamkeepers have also been busy, working in partnership with Greenways to replace a very rickety bridge made of pallets with a beautiful new footbridge.
The bridge spans a tributary of Nunns Creek on a trail through City of Campbell River greenspace that joins the ERT trail with trails from 2nd Ave and McPhedran Rd, and neighbourhoods off of Evergreen Rd.
The bridge installation began with environmental monitoring that included gee-trapping for juvenile fish.
Seven very cute Coho fry, five juvenile Cutthroat trout, and one tiny crayfish were captured and released outside of the construction zone.
The preparation for the bridge was completed by installing gravel pads, lock blocks and rock armouring to provide the support for the bridge.
Nunns Creek’s lead steward, Mike McNair, assisted with the final stages of the installation by leading a team of his family members and Greenways staff in the construction of the bridge blocking, decking and rails.
Nunns Creek and Greenways are so lucky to have such an amazing team that included:
- A-Tlegay Fisheries Society providing environmental monitoring
- TLC Stoneworks completing the machine works and heavy lifting to install the bridge supports
- Red-Seal Carpenter and Streamkeeper extraordinaire, Mike McNair, sharing his incredible carpentry skills
Take a walk to check out this beautiful bridge and tributary this fall! |
 Beaver Lodge
Adopt-A-Trail
Lonely Trails Looking For TLC
We are only a few puzzle pieces short of completing the big picture of caring for ALL of the trails at the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands!
We are seeking individuals, groups, businesses, or school classes to adopt the final four trails in the Beaver Lodge, each of which are remarkably BEAUTIFUL!
The following trails are available and in need of someone (like you!) to bring them to their full potential:
- ERT
- Airport Main (from Connector to ERT)
- Simm's Creek East
- Simm's Creek West
See map for locations of trails: BLFL Trail Map
Responsibilities of trail adoption include:
- Inspecting the trail
- Maintaining the trail
- Reporting details of your visits
Read a description of the Adopt-a-trail program, including responsibilities and procedures here: Adopt-a-trail program
Join a community of devoted trail stewards in making this truly amazing forest thrive; both for the life that lives within it and for us to enjoy it too!
For more information or to volunteer, please contact kyle@greenwaystrust.ca
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Good Food Box
Project Updates
Greenways' partnership with LUSH Valley is such a refreshing boost to our Strathcona Good Food Box program here in Campbell River.
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to Marc Kitteringham and the Campbell River Mirror for showcasing this partnership in this great article, highlighting some key aspects of our Good Food Box program.
Check out the article here!
The Good Food Box Program is available to anyone and everyone who would like to purchase a box of delicious locally sourced veggies.
Don't forget:
There are now TWO sizes of boxes available:
- Large Boxes: $30 regular price
($21 subsidized)*
- Small Boxes: $20 regular price
($14 subsidized)*
*Limit of one subsidized Box per household please.
Visit our Strathcona Good Food Box Program: Campbell River Facebook page for ordering updates.
Email Callie at callie@greenwaystrust.ca to learn more. |
Greenways in the Media
Visit our website and check out the NEWS section. You will find Greenways' recent media coverage listed. |
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