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Kanaka Education and Environment Partnreship Society

This months adventure has me driving out away from the city this time, on a lovely Autumn Sunday morning. I'm driving past rolling hills and wooded areas while driving along side the beautiful Fraser river. I am headed To Kanaka Creek to join Kanaka Environmental Education Programs Society ( K.E.E.P.S for short, because that's a mouthful!), who hosts an event each year around this time for the salmon spawning. They engage the community and educate them on the habitat and behaviour of the salmon. K.E.E.P.S has been around since 1998 and Ross Davies, who is the organizer of this event has been part of K.E.E.P.S since 2001. So I have a feeling he really knows his stuff and I am hoping to learn a lot today.

Everyone meet Ross, my guide for the afternoon.

I had no idea, but just off of 240th in Maple Ridge at Kanaka Creek, there is what's known as a fish fence. A fish fence for anyone who may not know ( I certianly didn't) is an obstruction placed in rivers, to direct the passage of, or trap fish such as salmon as they attempt to swim upstream to breed. This fish fence helps K.E.E.P.S to count the spawning salmon as well bring some back to the hatchery where they can collect the eggs and give them a safer environment for hatching. The first stages of a salmons life has many challenges and are only becoming more challenging, so this gives them a greater chance of survival.

Its an unusually warm and sunny day for November, but don't kid yourself, we just had 5-6 days straight of heavy, heavy rain fall.

The K.E.EP.S crew have been promoting todays event in the hopes of seeing the salmon spawn. However the heavy rain fall has changed those plans quite drastically. This easy going event has now turned in to crisis management, as the waters have risen so high and washed debris down the Kanaka Creek, that the fish fence is threatening to snap due to all the extra weight of logs and branches. This is the biggest log jam that KEEPS has seen.

The crew now has to spend their efforts keeping everyone away from the fence.

Ross says this is almost the highest he has seen the water. The highest being in March 2007 when the water came right up to the hill. Had it continued to rain today, Ross says we would have lost the fish fence for sure.

This area is a popular spot for locals to come and see the habitat and behavior of salmon. Many come down here in order to learn. Unfortunately today's muddy water will make it almost impossible to see. Not to mention the dangerously log jammed fish fence that we now need to keep everyone away from in case the cables snap.

Most people, although dissapointed, understand the situation and know it is out of the hands of K.E.E.P.S and not their fault. As Ross jovially reminds everyone, “We are constantly up against our old adversary, Weather!”

Ross keeps his humor through out the afternoon. Throwing out jokes such as

“ Hey, at least we have firewood for the whole town here:"

If anyone was angry at first, it was hard for them to stay that way around Ross's good natured banter.

Meanwhile Jessica from The Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (whom K.E.EP.S often partners with during events such as this) is setting up her table of info and games.

She has games for the kids, and hey maybe adults too if they are so inclined. There are coloring pages and some models of various fish. Everyone is trying to make the best of the situation and soon a crowd of interested adults and children are crowded around her, asking questions about salmon spawning and life span.

Ross, who knows this area like the back of his hand, explains that there is a local dominant bear whom they call Dufus. For the most part Dufus is so used to the locals and people that he doesn't cause a bother. Likewise the locals are just as used to him and everyone seems to share the area with out any problems. I'm told that only a couple of times has Ross seen him look provoked with a person or two. He is so comfortable in the area that he is often times seen posing by the beware of bears sign so that folks can get a photo. So clearly he has a sense of humour.

Seen here in this photo below that Ross shared with me . Because we all know I would not have gotten so close to take this photo, as friendly as I've heard he is....I'm not crazy!

Since there is not much more I can help with at the fish fence, I head over to hatchery where K.E.E.P.S is also hosting an event. However there is a good chance that there won't be much excitment there either due to the muddy waters and not being able to see the fish. When I get there it is confirmed that I am correct and there is not much going on. The only excitment happening is the crowds of people wandering around looking for excitment. What does catch my eye in my short visit there is the beautiful architecture in the stunning landscape. I have no idea what goes on in the building, but I am happy just to be looking at it.

What really stays with my about my experience today is that this organization has drawn many volunteers and supporters over the years. Giving individuals the opportunity to find their own way of offering help and sharing skills. The founders of K.E.E.P.S enjoy this because it helps them grow in ways they wouldn't have previously thought about.

What is most important to them in volunteers is the passion. Because as Ross says

"You can teach about the fish and the habitat, but you CAN'T teach passion!"

And it is through the passion of all the individuals involved with K.E.E.P.S, that they have been able to engage so many youth in the programs they offer, through the schools and other groups. There is always room for people to get involved in anyway they can.

I ask Ross, what does he love most about his work, and he says “ Getting the community and the kids involved with the nature around them. Once you connect with certian part of nature by planting seeds, or restoring the habitat, you will always see that piece of land in a different way and be connected to it”

Want to learn more about this Organization and or even get involved to support your community and the environment? Follow the links below.

Till Next time!

November Blog January Blog

Kanaka Education and Environment Partnreship Society

K.E.E.P.S Facebook Group

K.E.E.P.S Instagram

K.E.E.P.S Website

Kanaka Education and Environment Partnreship Society

K.E.E.P.S Facebook Group

K.E.E.P.S Instagram

K.E.E.P.S Website

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