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Location: Greater Vancouver Project Summary
Overview Established in 1996, the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) is a student-based initiative promoting watershed stewardship and habitat enhancement for fish species within the City of Surrey. SHaRPÕs roles in the community are to protect and improve fish habitat, provide community education, and increase awareness of the importance of urban streams for indigenous freshwater fish species. In 2006, the City of Surrey initiated the “Nature Matters” initiative that focuses on activities that strive to spark an environmental stewardship mentality. SHaRP comprises the summer field-based component of this Nature Matters initiative and embodies SurreyÕs commitment toward a stewardship mentality by implementing enhancement works in various habitat areas while also introducing youth to concepts and benefits of habitat enhancement. SHaRP 2009 teams will perform restoration work in and around watercourses which will directly contribute to improving fish habitat in the City. Community outreach programs will educate residents of stewardship initiatives and instill best management practices for businesses and landowners. SHaRP 2009 will also provide youth with valuable work experience in various aspects of environmental management. These students develop a strong stewardship mentality through their work with SHaRP by having an increased awareness of SurreyÕs salmonids and the sesitivity of their habitat areas. Objectives Methods The program objectives are achieved through various activities completed by the 5 teams that comprise SHaRP. Two teams focus on awareness and education, two teams accomplish instream restoration works and the remaining team accomplishes program awareness through working with local media outlets. Awareness of SurreyÕs salmon and habitat will be spread through the community through the distribution of informative brochures, displays during various community events, door-to-door campaigns in businees and industiral areas, and the inclusion of the community during several neighbourhood based stewardship events hosted by SHaRP. Due to the size and magnitude of the SHaRP program activities will be completed by the restoration teams at several sites this upcoming SHaRP season. Watercourses within the City are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine opportunities for habitat enhancement. From these opportunities, and other sites provided to the City by residents and stewardship groups, a program is created in the early spring for the upcoming summer. Sites selected for enhancement works typically include riparian sites which are inundated with invasive plant species or void of native species due to urban impacts, creeks with actively eroding channel banks, riparian sites impacted by dumped garbage and debris, or farm sites where livestock or farm practices are impacting the integrity of the channel banks or substrates. SHaRP program activities commence with site assessments and hiring of the team leaders in early spring 2009. Restoration works and environmental education outreach programs will occur from May to August 2009. Reporting on the successes of the program will occur from October to January 2010. There is the possibility for additional events and sites to be completed through a fall SHaRP initiative from September to November should SHaRP members be able to devote time in the fall to these tasks.
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Canada gives a great example of public education regarding salmon. Looking for parallels in US and not finding them. Kudos.
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