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Location: Cariboo-Chilcotin, Cariboo Chilcotin Project Summary
The Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society is establishing awareness in watershed health. Our Water Wise conservation program reaches over 50 elementary, secondary, alternate and university school classes, in the Cariboo region, teaching water conservation, watershed health and water quality and how it relates to our lives and the fish & wildlife reliant on the same watersheds. CCCS instructors use models (including a working miniature aquifer and miniature watershed) and field trips to our Williams Lake River Valley to test water, view spawning salmon (when in season) and enhance the learning experience. In the spring ‘water shepherds’ (our water stewards both young and old) take water quality samples, study invertebrates netted to determine water ‘health’, paint storm drains & distribute leaflets. CCCS also runs education modules at the Gavin Lake Outdoor school, covering 25 schools from School District #27 and School District #28 (modules - The Gavin Lake Watershed, Invertebrates, The Perfect Stream - Rainbow trout habitat, & Species at Risk). We share our joy of salmon with the public through displays on the areas salmon and CCCS salmon friendly publications including the brochure Salmonids of the Cariboo Chilcotin and a 9 page section on the regions salmonids in the Parks Guide, reaching over 15000 readers/viewers within the Cariboo Chilcotin. See also: http://www.ccconserv.org/water-wise.html Interim Progress IN THE SCHOOLS: After a successful September and October at the Gavin Lake outdoor centre running our modules, Jenny is back in the schools since October, completing her October field trips and teaching her Water Wise modules in the schools IN THE COMMUNITY: Water Wise sites and signage continues including the Regional Library, WL Provincial Courthouse, Tourism Discovery Centre, Public Health Office, the local banks (RBC, BMO, TD Canada Trust, Scotia Bank, CIBC, WL District & Credit Union), as well as local popular restaurants such as the Laughing Loon, Joey’s Grill, and Oliver Street Bar & Grill. This past summer Burgess Pluming also donated a dual flush toilet to the Water Wise site at Gavin Lake, and water saving retrofits were completed at both Gavin and SINC with signage. Water Consultations took place again this past November with businesses from both Williams Lake and Quesnel as part of the Second Green Business Consultations in partnership with the Fraser Basin Council. THE ARTS SCENE: art from children’s Water Wise paintings is now being featured on new bookmarks, available at the Public Library, with water saving tips included. MEDIA COVERAGE: Radio Ads continue with this fall with four ads focusing on watershed health. Shaw TV continues to run a Water Wise interview and plans to record PSA’s with local students are in the works. The Tribune and Advisor newspapers have run several photos/articles on both Jenny and Jessica’s efforts within the community including numerous articles on xeriscape gardening and watershed health, and ads featuring practical tips. The Active Living Leisure Guide also continues to feature a Water Wise content section. PUBLICATIONS: New off the press this summer include Harvesting Rain Water (Rain Barrels & Rain Gardens), Biffs Ponds (a miniature watershed), Save the Most Water By…, as well as new Water Wise Bookmarks featuring local Childrens art! EVENTS & DISPLAYS AT A GLANCE: Water Wise float in the Stampede Parade where our Salmon Mascot won first prize in category. Xeriscape gardening displays were at local garden centers and at the Public Library during growing season. Water Wise display at the Rec Centre during July and August. Water Wise participated in the September long weekend’s Rivermania complete with demos of our underground water tank. Watersheds & Salmonids display in Williams Lake Public Library during salmon spawning season (Sept/Oct). Children’s Library exhibit featuring our large “Salmon” sign, and Forests & Waterways display during October. Water Wise display at the “Going Green” Mardigras, and CAC Open House. CCCS participated both with the Sustainability Coordinator and Water Wise staff present at the Thompson Rivers University Energy Fair. PARTNERSHIP WITH BIFF’S PONDS: Visit to Biff’s Ponds this summer had Water Wise staff observing the process of maintaining a delicate balance at the simulation watershed site consisting of multiple ponds complete with salmon populations. Important factors staff observed in nature included oxygen levels, shoreline plant life, algae, sediment, and water flow. The site is open to individuals and groups who want to learn more about the factors that affect watershed health, or to go fishing are welcome year round by appointment. ANNUAL KERSLEY CREEK FISH RESCUE: DFO and Water Wise staff visited the lower Kersley Creek fish habitat this summer. The drying up of the surface creek water on its way to the Fraser River has lead to the need for annual Salmon Rescue efforts. Reasons for this include declining ground water levels region wide, falling sediment from nearby roads, and dry culverts that separate fish populations. The health of the salmonids on both sides of the culvert were observed with the unexpected conclusion that the population on the side with no more incoming stream flow was more vibrant and had more frys than the population on the other side of the culvert. A complete report is available at our office for interested parties. PLANS FOR 2009: Hotels & Restaurants will be targeted with easy to engage water saving programs, increased Salmon awareness through watershed signage & posters, as well as interactive events using our Salmon suits and hand puppets including the Horsefly Salmon Festival, and Children’s Festival. Newberry Drama and Dance Students are excited to incorporate the new salmon suits and puppets in their spring break performance and Water Wise will be working with Columneetza Media students again to produce water wise videos. Other activities include the annual Xeriscape Gardening Workshop, and distribution of a Water Wise product list of cleaning and hardware items available within the community. Another exciting project in conjunction with the City of Williams Lake includes a rebate incentive program for purchasing water wise upgrades including toilets (funding dependant).
Final Results We are more than happy to share our lessons - successes in the school classes, within the community and uses of alternate sources (theatre groups, Childrens dance group, artists, etc). Also, our materials on Xeriscape gardening in the interior, as well as our Water Wise teachers guide are available upon request.
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