Squamish Streamkeepers Society

The Squamish Streamkeepers Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Originally established in 2000, it initially operated in conjunction with the Squamish River Watershed Society but became an independent entity in 2006.

Mission and Activities

The society focuses on monitoring and restoring salmon populations within the Squamish River Watershed. Key activities include:

• Salmon Conservation: The organization conducts stream counts in Squamish to monitor salmon populations. This data is crucial for assessing the health of local ecosystems and informing conservation strategies[1][3][5].
• Pacific Herring Conservation: Squamish Streamkeepers have been involved in several initiatives aimed at restoring Pacific Herring populations. Notably, they improved herring spawning habitats by covering creosote piling with HDPE, leading to increased spawning and survival rates. This successful approach was later applied to other locations[1][5].
• Community Engagement: The society engages in community outreach through events and social media to promote awareness and involvement in conservation projects[1].

Achievements and Impact

One of the significant achievements of the Squamish Streamkeepers Society was the improvement of herring spawning habitats. By addressing the issue of lethal creosote pilings, they not only enhanced local herring populations but also contributed to broader environmental improvements by sharing their methods with other conservation efforts[5].

The society operates on the unceded traditional lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam[2].

Organization Structure

As a volunteer-based society, Squamish Streamkeepers relies on funding to support its core activities, including habitat restoration, public stewardship, and salmon stock assessments. The organization has played a vital role in maintaining the ecological integrity of smaller salmon-bearing streams and spawning channels in the region[3][5].