Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society

10/31/2026

Salmon are slowly returning to the creek now. After the long dry spell we had, there can be a spike in 6 PPD from tire run off in the water. The chemical is deadly to coho. In order to do some testing, it would be helpful to collect samples of any dead fish. We are hoping that you can assist by collecting any dead salmon you might encounter on your walk along Brooklyn Creek. Please note down where and when the collection was made and notify us. The salmon can go in the freezer and we will come and pick up. Please message us on FB or call 1 250 792-2687. Thank you for your cooperation.

10/25/2026

https://brooklyncreek.ca/help-install-fencing-at-birkdale-farm/

Transform our local creek and make a lasting impact at Birkdale Farm this week! Thanks to the incredible hard work of the BCWS gardening crew, Elodie Roger’s team, and our amazing community volunte…

10/18/2026

https://brooklyncreek.ca/join-the-brooklyn-creek-planting-project/

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with an upcoming planting, mulching, and site preparation project led by Elodie from Origins Environmental Services. Whether you can spare a coupl…

09/21/2026

Brooklyn Creek Society members had fun at the Family Watershed Day at Puntledge park, showing off some of our recent initiatives, such as our newly designed drain templates. Keep your eyes open at the drains near you!

09/10/2026

Earlier this year, the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society’s year 5 restoration phase at Birkdale Farm received funding through the Community Salmon Program’s Spring 2026 intake. The Pacific Salmon Foundation decided to showcase our next phase restoration work in a video. The shoot took place late August, once fish hade been relocated from this section of the creek and excavation of the creek bed had begun. The complete video will be ready for PSF's gala and BCWS is trilled to be featured. Here some stills from the shoot and interview with our president Dr. John Neilson, and board members Vanessa Scott and Dave Davies.

09/03/2026

Several times a year, Sierra Club puts on free virtual drawing classes for kids, adults and students (teachers can sign up with their classroom) This time, it's learn to draw a Salmon - if you have the time, sign up, it's infromative and a lot of fun (They also offer a recording of the session if you miss it). Presenter of the "Learn to Draw" and nature art workshops is scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist Dr. Julius Csotonyi

Learn to draw Coho Salmon with us in this free online art lesson on September 24 at 10 AM (PT)

Not only will you be making art, but we'll also learn about the incredible journey these salmon take from freshwater streams to the open ocean and back again, and the vital role they play in Pacific Northwest ecosystems. We'll be joined by scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi and fisheries researcher Arielle Koenig from the UBC Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Lab.

These lessons are perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Register now: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/our-work/re-connecting-with-the-lands-waters/webinars/learn-to-draw-coho-salmon/

08/25/2026

After a week of trapping and relocating fish (mostly coho, but also some steelhead and sticklebacks) to prepare another section of the creek for riparian work, construction has begun this Monday at Birkdale farm, where the creek runs through for about 1.3 kilometres. By installing riffle pool complexes, the habitat will be improved to encourage spawning and rearing of salmonoids. With the help of recent funding from Pacific Salmon Foundation, BCWS is able to complete the work over the next year.

Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who helped move the fish, Chloe Howarth and her team from Current Environmental, who helped restore 800 meters of creek to date, can begin the next phase. Stay tuned for construction and fall planting updates!

07/28/2026

Be a Fish Hero: Save Fry at the Farm!
Posted on July 21, 2026 by
Call for volunteers to assist with fish salvage efforts at Birkdale Farm ahead of 2026 in-stream restoration works. Volunteers with help to relocate fry outside of the work area.
Dates: Tuesday, August 18 to Monday, August 24 (including weekend)
Time: 9:00–11:00 AM daily
Volunteers can sign up using the Birkdale Fish Salvage Google Sheet on our website https://brooklyncreek.ca/news/ or by emailing Chloe at Current Environmental at
[email protected] with the dates you are available and we'll add you to the sheet.

Orientation/Training Session:
On Tuesday, August 18, Chloe will hold a training session on fish capture and release methods for up to 8 volunteers. These individuals will ideally volunteer on some or all of the following days. Volunteers who can’t attend the orientation are still very welcome to join on other days — however, the more trained hands, the better!

Additional Info:
All are welcome, regardless of physical ability.

Meeting location: Daily at 9:00 AM at the entrance to Birkdale Farm (1836 Guthrie Rd). We’ll enter the property as a group.
To manage site access (as it’s private property with machinery in operation), we’re aiming to have a clear volunteer list by the evening before each day — last minute drop-ins are discouraged.
Recommended gear: Rubber boots or hip waders, eye protection, and work gloves — though not required. Remember to dress for the weather (rain gear, sunscreen, sun hat, etc.).

Coho fry and other small fish are in Brooklyn Creek all year long. We might even encounter the dreaded, invasive American bullfrog tadpole. Join us between August 18 and 24 to safeguard local fish ahead of these vital restoration works—secure your spot on the signup sheet or email Chloe today!

07/03/2026

Recently, BCWS has been made aware of two incidents of soapy water at the Brooklyn Creek fish ladder (see picture taken July 2nd). This has likely resulted from a release of a detergent into the stream, possibly from car washing or moss removal on roofs.

As readers know, Pacific salmon are found in Brooklyn Creek every day of the year, and there certainly is no “safe” time to release detergents or other pollutants into the storm water system that connects with the Creek. Release of any deleterious substance into salmon bearing streams is contrary to the Fisheries Act, and subject to fines. Soapy water can impact young salmon by damaging their gills or skin.

In addition to posing a threat to our salmon populations, soapy water may also indicate that some people are still washing cars, which as of June 23, is not permitted under Stage 3 water restrictions. Once car washing is again allowed, consider washing on a lawn, rather than a hard surface. This simple method can greatly reduce the amount of soapy water entering the storm water system.

Thank you for considering the health of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed.

Dr. John Neilson, President BCWS

06/07/2026

It's a Wrap! Despite the rain, our smolt count wrap party was quite a success with our volunteers, as well as many passersby that were curious about BCWS. Our new membership program had many sign up on the spot, and town councillor Maureen Swift, well aware of Brooklyn Creek, also dropped by. The annual smolt count, which climbed to a record number of well over 5,000 smolts, has now wrapped and the fish fence has been pulled for the year. Two bluetooth temperature sensors were installed in the creek, providing crucial information on the creek throughout the year. Again, a big shout out to all of you who volunteered for the count - more opportunities to protect and enhance the creek will come up later this summer as we tackle out next phase of restoration!