The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) and Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) continue to work together to help protect the endangered Sakinaw Lake sockeye salmon.
Their latest co-operative initiative is the Sakinaw Sockeye Stewardship Fair to be held Saturday, Feb. 26, in Madeira Park at the Pender Harbour Community Centre.
The fair will be a day-long event with displays, speakers and an afternoon workshop that will focus on actions the community can take to help protect the endangered Sakinaw Lake sockeye salmon. This population is the last race of sockeye to spawn in the waters directly adjacent to the Strait of Georgia and has numerous unique characteristics. It is severely imperiled: only 99 adult salmon returned to spawn in 2004. Extensive recovery efforts are being made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other stakeholders to save this species.
Community stewardship groups can greatly assist with recovery efforts for endangered species such as the Sakinaw sockeye. Stewardship groups are active throughout the Sunshine Coast, working to preserve Ambrose Lake, Sechelt Marsh, Iris Griffith Marsh, Sargeant Bay and other sites. Stewardship activities can range from complex habitat restoration projects to simple programs that raise public awareness of important conservation issues. Community stewardship can be especially effective in preventing pollution and development damage to fragile ecosystems and essential wildlife habitat. The SCCA and PSF hope the Stewardship Fair will help streamline the community stewardship process for Sakinaw Lake.
The stewardship fair is free. Participants are encouraged to come for the entire event. Coffee and sandwiches will be provided, and representatives from local stewardship groups will be present. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Speakers will present from 11:15 to 1 p.m., followed by lunch, then afternoon workshops until 3 p.m.
More details are available on the SCCA website at www.thescca.ca and on the PSF website at www.psf.ca.
