Volunteers Needed for the Tahsis River Estuary Monitoring Project

click poster for larger view

Tahsis Salmon Hatchery Releases 160 000 Chinook

From Dean Stoltz at CHEK News April 13th 2017:

The Tahsis Salmon Enhancement Society was established in 1982 when only 12 chinook salmon returned to the Tahsis River that year.

Growth has been slow, but steady ever since.

Friday was moving day for 160,000 young chinook salmon at the Tahsis salmon hatchery.

They’ve been growing at the hatchery since they were harvested as eggs last fall.

“They’ll be in this sea pen for approximately three weeks and then we open the net and let them go. And they’ll head right up to the gulf of Alaska” said Tahsis Salmon Enhancement Society President Frank Collins. 

Several volunteers as well as Enhancement Technicians from the nearby DFO Conuma Hatchery gathered Thursday to help move the fish. 

The salmon are moved in a tank on a truck to a boat launch, where they’re then transferred to another tank on a boat and moved out to a sea pen in the Tahsis Inlet where the fish will become acclimatized to the salt water for three to four weeks. 

“Survival rate is about 4% and we had 160,000 chinook (released four years ago) and the return that came back last year was 1300” said Collins. 

Excellent numbers by any hatchery standard, government or community.

The fish are going into the Leiner River but it all started in 1982 when just 12 salmon came back to the Tahsis River.

Last year 257 chinook came back.

“Pretty enjoyable when you see all those fish and they’re nice healthy fish and they’re going in the sea pen and they’ll be in there for a month or so and then we release them and then four years down the road we see what we get back” commented Bill Dwulit, an original member of the Tahsis Enhancement Society. 

“The big difference is putting them in the sea pens for a few weeks before release helping them acclimatize to the salt water and that’s given us higher returns overall than just straight river release” said Lyndy Vroom, an Enhancement Technician at the nearby Conuma Hatchery run by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 

Since 1982  there have been roughly 6 million salmon fry released in Tahsis and for the volunteers it’s a labour of love and a commitment to declining salmon stocks.

“I don’t know how to say it but I tell you our group is so proud of what we’re doing” added Collins. 

And next week they’ll be preparing 70,000 more chinook for release into the Tahsis River.

   

For the CHEK TV video click here

Getting ready to herd the fish to the end to scoop them up more easily.

Salmon Enhancement volunteers Jim and Bill

Frank with Fisheries Stewardship Coordinator Sam Kagan

Taking the fish out of the tank at the Tahsis Hatchery

Bill

Getting ready to transfer the fish from the truck to the boat

Transferring the fish from the tank in the truck to the tank in the boat!

Tahsis Salmon Enhancement Society President Frank Collins

Heading off to deposit the fish into the sea pen.

Lend a Hand at the Tahsis Community Garden

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Farm to School garden plot needs to be prepared for Spring planting for the school’s soup and salad program. 

This will involve moving soil with shovels and a wheelbarrow, and some simple carpentry. Raised beds will be oriented for optimum sun exposure and one bed will be dedicated as a perennial Asparagus Patch.  Forty five asparagus crowns are coming sometime in March, so we could really use some help. 

Community members, older students or parents who are able to pitch in and help for a half day, please call Terry Fassbender at 6460. A strong back is helpful. Terry will coordinate a (sunny) day that works for everyone. 

And, a heartfelt thanks to Karli Yanchus, Tahsis Farm to School Coordinator, for providing funds for the F2S asparagus crowns.

Toonies for Tummies at Save On Foods

In Tahsis, at Captain Meares Elementary Secondary School we are fortunate to have a volunteer run Breakfast Club of Canada program, offering free meals every school day morning.  When kids have the extra security of knowing there's always a little something to eat whenever they need it at school, they feel better, learn better and behave better.  Remote rural isolated small towns will always have food security issues, but here in Tahsis we work to improve our situations as best we can.

"green eggs" and ham

our most common and popular food, smoothies!

Our breakfast club is mostly funded by Breakfast Club of Canada, and they are partnering up with Save On Foods for a great fundraiser this month.  Starting today, and running until the 23rd of February, customers at participating Save-on locations (including the Save on Foods in Campbell River!) will be asked to donate $2 to the Toonies for Tummies campaign.

100% of these funds will go towards supporting Breakfast Club of Canada schools.

First Production of Ubedam Theatre Society was a Huge Success!

With 106 tickets sold over two nights, the Ubedam Theatre Society's performance of "Oz in the Clozet" written by Len Cuthbert was thoroughly enjoyed by our town this past weekend. The five actors were captivating and funny, and the crew was professional and pulled off an amazing first show! 

There were several people who had bought tickets for Friday night who enjoyed it so much that they came back on Saturday to watch the show again.  With refreshments, consession and popcorn available, it made for a truly enjoyable evening for an appreciative crowd. 

Congratulations to director Debra Conibear and all the actors, crew and volunteers.  I'm told it was 3 months of hard work, but this group (from the electrician to the lighting expert, to the popcorn makers to the costume designers to the stage manager to the fundraisers to the marketing team and all the other unseen workers!) should pat themselves on the back for this job well done!

Tahsis Days 2016 Planning Meeting

Tahsis Estuary Monitoring Project

From Guest Bloggers David and Stella Richards:

Yesterday morning we volunteered with the Tahsis Estuary Monitoring Project. The group consisted of two people from the Nootka Sound Watershed Society, two DFO biologists who knew a lot and another volunteer.

We learned a lot and examined a lot of different species that are living here in the inlet. Green crabs (not good) yellow perch, three-spine stickle back, pipe, salmon - coho, chinook, chum, sockeye, sculpin, gunwhales. Oxygen content of the water, invertebrates. Lots of samples taken. Salmon were measured and weighed - largest 8gms, smallest 0.1gms. Captured in seine nets. Two test sites in eel grass with lots of species, two test sites not in eel grass not so much. Had a great time and thanks to the Nootka Sound Watershed Society for letting us join the group.

Recording and photographing.

Hip waders required or rubber boots.

A Stickleback

Stella measuring the salmon before being weighed by biologist.

Math Mania

Tahsis Estuary Monitoring Project

Caring Canadian Award

On March 4th I was proud to attend an honours ceremony in Vancouver with the Governor General of Canada, his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston.

I was one of many who received the Caring Canadian Award after being nominated by Breakfast Club of Canada, with whom I've been volunteering for 5 years.   It was very humbling to meet and listen to the stories of the other recipients, and I loved the experience of the ceremony.

I'm very grateful to be a part of the CMESS team as a parent and a volunteer.  Our educators in Tahsis work very hard to give the very best to each student and foster a culture of inclusiveness, curiosity, kindness and a love of learning.  I know these kids take these traits with them when they leave and the positive impact this has on the world around us cannot be measured.  Making sure there's something to eat every morning helps everyone behave better, learn better and feel better.

I love being a small part of our school's success, and I was proud to represent our many Tahsis volunteers that day.

Photos taken by Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall

    

The recipients from BC with his Excellency Governor General David Johnston 

and her Honour Lieutenant Governor of BC Judith Guichon,

Nootka Sound Watershed Society Information

Recently I have added a link from a group in Tahsis called the Nootka Sound Watershed Society.  Here is a presentation Bruce Sanderson recently gave to Tahsis Village Council.  This is something all Tahsis residents might be interested in. 

Village of Tahsis Council March 1 Meeting -- Presentation Notes
Bruce Sanderson, Stewardship Co-coordinator,
Nootka Sound Watershed Society
 

This presentation is in two parts:
1) Brief background Regarding the Nootka Sound Watershed Society
2) Main Purposes of the Presentation - Provide information about potential salmon habitat-related projects that may soon occur in the Tahsis River watershed

1) Background Regarding the Nootka Sound Watershed Society

The Nootka Sound Watershed Society (NSWS) is a regional organization. With respect to Tahsis, for example, it assists the Tahsis Salmon Enhancement Society (hatchery) by administering some of its funding.

Overall, the NSWS aims to protect, restore and enhance pacific salmonids and their habitat in Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet, and the watersheds that contribute to them.

The NSWS intends to achieve this through sustainable, science-based practices, leading to a future of sustained abundant salmon returns and prosperous fisheries for the long-term benefit of all communities in our area.


Goals

Collaboration:  To provide an inclusive and respectful community-based forum to effectively address ecological and economic issues regarding salmon in the Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet areas

Education:  Through the communication of information and educational outreach, we strive to enhance the public’s understanding of salmon life history and local ecology

Support:  We use funds raised to grow the stewardship capacity of our communities and enable local citizens to make positive change for the well-being of our communities and the surrounding biophysical environment.


The NSWS has a Volunteer Board of Directors, and over 100 members, from all walks of life. The Board meets monthly to discuss conservation, enhancement, restoration, assessment, stewardship and economic development pertaining to Pacific Salmon in the Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet areas.


NSWS Directors, 2016
Larry Andrews
Lyle Billie
Craig Blackie
Frank and Lucille Collins
Dave Davies, DFO
Pat and Dick Dennison
Roger Dunlop
Chris Ericson, DFO
Pat James
Paul Kutz
Rod MacLeod
Marcel and Cheryle Miner
Elmar Nabbe, Zeballos
Kent O’Neill
Ken Smith
Kaden Snook
Louis Van Solkema
Lyndy Vroom, DFO
Randy Watson


Stewardship Co-coordinators contracted to Mar. 31, 2016:
Sam Kagan Kagan.samantha@gmail.com
Bruce Sanderson sanderson.b1@gmail.com (b one, not bL)


2. Purposes of this presentation

     1) To tell you about potential salmon habitat-related projects that may soon occur in the Tahsis River watershed
      2) to ask local people to consider providing accommodation for a few non-local or "outside" participants in these projects, and
      3) to highlight opportunities for local people to participate in some fun and educational volunteer activities in or near Tahsis


Potential salmon habitat-related projects that may soon occur in the Tahsis River watershed


Recently, MC Wright and Associates conducted expert risk assessments on six salmon-bearing rivers in the Nootka Sound region. The study assessed the risk posed by human and natural factors limiting the productive capacity of these streams to produce Chinook, Coho, Chum and Sockeye salmon.

Regarding the Tahsis River watershed, the study recommended several priority follow-up activities. Many of these were to address data gaps regarding:
      a) channel stability
      b) the chemistry, dissolved oxygen levels, and subtidal habitat conditions in the Tahsis estuary
      c) precipitation events and their impacts on the water temperature and flow regime of the Tahsis   River, especially as far upstream as salmon go

a) channel stability

According to MC Wright and Associates, the Tahsis River watershed is highly sensitive and highly disturbed, and involves aggressive hydrology and frequent natural landslides.

The evolution of the Tahsis River channel in reaction to historic logging and road-building on the valley floor requires examination by a qualified professional. The NSWS is now assembling Terms of Reference for a study that would identify the local factors affecting channel stability, and why the river is behaving as it is.

Apparently, part of this picture is that the root structures of the deciduous trees (mostly alders) that have replaced the logged-out hemlock, cedar and other evergreens native to this valley, do not hold or retain soil as well as the old growth evergreens.

Secondly, consider that deciduous trees have no leaves during the winter when most of our precipitation occurs. Very intense rain events in this watershed can create overland flow conditions amongst the alders. In the top layers of soil, the rain is not absorbed fast enough, or quickly saturates that topmost layer.

So, the study might well be broadened and lengthened to include research during one of our winters. This might allow a researcher to determine whether, during intense rainfall/overland flow events,
      a) significant amounts of fine sediments are washed into the river channel from adjacent alder-covered land, and
      b) how much that overland flow enlarges and accelerates runoff, thereby contributing to the erosive potential of the stream.

MC Wright have indicated that without restoration work, there would be little improvement in salmonid habitat in this watershed within the next 50 years.


b) the chemistry, dissolved oxygen levels, and subtidal habitat conditions in the Tahsis estuary

Estuaries are critical salmon habitats that support salmon at several life stages. Adult salmon rely on healthy estuarine habitat during staging and physiological transition, while juvenile salmon rely on this habitat for rearing, foraging, physiological transition and refuge. The NSWS has applied for funding to conduct a number of activities in the Tahsis-Leiner estuary.

These activities could commence as early as late March, and would involve:

      1) Monitoring community based juvenile salmonids
      2) employing an underwater camera as part of opportunistic mapping of sub-tidal habitat (eg. eelgrass) and subsurface debris (eg. old machinery, waterlogged stumps and logs, etc.)., and
      3) measuring dissolved oxygen and temperature at the same time.

With Fisheries & Oceans' technical support and training, and using seine nets, volunteers will participate in weekly beach seine sessions to see first-hand what kinds of salmonids and other aquatic animals rely on the existing habitat in the estuary. Five different sites will be sampled. Volunteers, stewardship coordinators and DFO staff will analyze the contents of the seine nets at each site, then identify and record any species caught in the net. The size of captured juvenile salmon will be estimated, to determine origin (hatchery fry vs. wild smolts).

The first session will occur one week before the TSES releases their juvenile Chinook salmon, and continue for six weeks throughout the majority of the juvenile salmon outmigration.

These activities present interested Tahsis residents with an opportunity for a hands-on learning experience about the importance of our Tahsis/Leiner Estuary, and estuaries in general.

c) precipitation events and their impacts on the water temperature and flow regime of the Tahsis River, especially as far upstream as salmon go

This can be addressed by installing what's called a Hydrometric station on the Tahsis River. Fisheries & Oceans Canada has previously installed Hydro-Meteorological stations on ten Vancouver Island rivers, to collect real-time data on these and other parameters. The data are automatically sent to a satellite link, and can be viewed online, via

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/google_map/google_map_e.html?searchBy=p&province=BC&doSearch=Go

This information will help toward establishing relationships between weather events and the timing of migrations of adult Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon in the river. The hydrometric station will enable the NSWS and Tahsis volunteers to pursue salmon habitat restoration more effectively. Information on river discharge will allow engineers to perhaps design restoration structures to withstand freshet events. Data on summer discharges, particularly the periods when stretches of the river dry up, will allow hydrologists to design hydraulic structures that will create scoured channels, or to decide whether to remove excess gravel. Volunteers will also be able to accurately track rainfall, discharge, river depth and water temperature, and relate them visually to the river's appearance and behaviour.

For those interested in volunteering to record and monitor these data for the community and the NSWS, there are useful resources available. The Water Survey of Canada and the BC Ministry of Environment have downloadable training manuals regarding Hydrometric Technician Career Development and the province's Water Inventory Data Management System, respectively.

These proposed projects hinge mainly on whether the NSWS receives grant funding for them. The grant funding proposals require that the NSWS contribute 50% of the cost of each project, although the contribution can be "in kind". People can make in kind contributions in different ways, such as

· offering reduced rate--or occasionally free--accommodation for outside participants during at least part of their stay in the community,
· volunteering to help with a project, or
· offering resources such as the free or reduced rate usage of a boat and motor, complete with its operator (already arranged for estuary project)

We respectfully ask that local people consider offering reduced rates for at least one night for rooms in local accommodation facilities, including B&Bs and/or motels. If these facilities happen to already be booked for the dates when these outside participants are in town, we respectfully ask that other local residents consider offering these participants one night's free stay.

What's in it for you?

An opportunity to make new friends, and to learn. Some of these people are very informed about how to restore salmon habitat, about the critters that usually live in estuaries, and about biodiversity in general. If someone you host one night needs to stay more than one night, you may be able to make some income by charging for an additional night(s).

Opportunities:
· helping to inventory organisms caught in the seine nets at estuary sites
· long-term monitoring and recording of data from the Hydrometric station


Some future volunteer NSWS activities may include
- revegetating zones along the river in stages, to help prevent erosion
- creating in-channel features that allow salmon to hide from predators and to rest more frequently
- reconnecting channel segments so there is more consistent water flow, assisting salmon spawning and rearing
- bacterial grab-sampling from the river, its tributaries, and adjacent wetlands


Ideally, all of the above would occur in prime spring and summer weather!

Regarding Volunteers
Why do people volunteer?
· help build or share in a sense of community
· improve conditions regarding a resource;
· create and cultivate career and/or networking opportunities (local students might be interested in biology, hydrology or geography careers)
· create and cultivate friendship and camaraderie
· garner recognition from their peers,
· obtain hands on experience and develop additional skills
· bring about change and witness these changes
· help accomplish something that is important on a larger scale and over a long arc of time--help create a lasting legacy


Volunteers are essential to the NSWS. We are continuously grateful to those dedicated groups and individuals who donate their time to NSWS activities. We want our volunteers to experience safe, enjoyable activities while helping complete successful projects, in order to more rapidly advance salmon habitat restoration and salmon enhancement in the Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet region. Volunteerism is a powerful venue for educational opportunities, small group reflections, building camaraderie and community, and strengthening social capital.


If you are willing to offer reduced-rate or free accommodation to outside participants, or to volunteer as a project participant, leave me your name, tel #, and/or e-mail address,. If you want to telephone me it's 250-934-7910, or e-mail sanderson.b1@gmail.com. Thanks kindly for your consideration.


Check the following places for information updates regarding the proposed NSWS projects:
NSWS website: www.nootkasound.info
Noticeboards in the VoT office and at the Tahsis Rec Centre

Amber Zirnhelt Workshop

On Thursday, November 19th at 7 pm, Tahsis welcomes Amber Zirnhelt, a community planner, motivational speaker and former professional downhill mountain bike racer.  

What is your passion? 

How can you contribute to making your community a great place? 

Do your opinion and actions really matter?

This interactive 90 minute workshop will motivate you to get involved and contribute to real community change. Learn ways to encourage others to become active community members.
Participants will discuss their vision for the future in Tahsis and brainstorm strategies for contributing to community change. Learn how and why your interests and skills are important
for your community.

Date: Thursday, November 19
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Tahsis Rec Centre
Free of Charge

Wildberry Festival

On Monday night, over 65 people of all ages joined friends and neighbours for a celebration of local food, namely our lovely Tahsis wildberries.  There were several treats to choose from, and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Thank you to the many volunteers who contributed berries, equipment, recipes and hard work prepping for this fun and free event in our school kitchen.  Thank you to Breakfast Club of Canada who provided the grant money for us to get some much needed equipment for the school, and the ingredients for all our treats.

Blackberry Sorbet

 

Blackberry Apple Pie made by Mrs. S and her K - 3 class

Bree enjoying some Blackberry Shrub with Apple Cider Vinegar

New Coordinator for the Tahsis Literacy Society

Congratulations to Louise Guilbert who is the new coordinator for the Tahsis Literacy Society! 

The TLS is committed to providing support for lifelong learning in our community, and Louise will be a great addition to the group.  New members are always welcome, the TLS meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at the Tahsis Recreation Centre. 

If you have any ideas, information or would like to volunteer, please contact Louise at tahsisliteracy@gmail.com or call (250) 93406449, or visit the Facebook page.

Blackberries

This is the time to be out picking berries!  They are sweet, plump, plentiful and early this year!  Worth the pain of the thorns, for sure.  Everyone has a favourite spot around Tahsis and there are enough delicious berries for everyone who ventures out there with long sleeves and a bucket.   

Coming up this fall:  a Wildberry Festival in September at CMESS.  Sponsored by Breakfast Clubs of Canada, and thanks to volunteers like Paul, who just donated several pounds of perfect blackberries for the school freezer, we will enjoy a community wide free dessert and coffee night to celebrate our excellent berries that grow locally.  We'll have more details of that delicious event in a few weeks!    

Post Fire Church Site Clean Up

On Saturday, several men and women arrived early in the morning to start the long and difficult process of cleaning up the scene of the fire that destroyed the Tahsis Christian Church, which was formerly the United church.  People came with tools and truck and machinery to get as much done as possible.

The board members of the church society provided cold drinks and sandwiches, and they shared a poignant story.  Under a huge amount of burnt collapsed debris, they found a teacup.  It was one of the "fragile" original ones that was too delicate to put in the dishwasher, and there it was, having survived the fire and the collapse of the building.  The teacup was presented to Sheila Orr, whose late husband Keith was the pastor at the church until his death last year.