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Squamish Salmon Festival is re-energized

New partnerships, programs make the festival better than ever

Earn the title of salmon royalty, participate in stream side planting or just watch countless salmon swim upstream to spawn at the 2009 Squamish Salmon Festival this Sunday (Nov. 22).

The free, family-friendly event takes place at the Squamish campus of Capilano University starting at 11 a.m. rain or shine.

The 2009 Squamish Salmon Festival is a collaborative effort among The Rotary Club of Squamish, Capilano University and Squamish River Watershed Society.

A new partnership with The Rotary Club as well as five local elementary schools has brought fresh energy to this year’s community festival, according to Kimberly Armour, a member of the Squamish River Watershed Society.

Salmon festival attendees can take guided nature walks starting at 11:45 a.m. and at 1:45 p.m., or they can roll-up their sleeves and plant some riparian thimbleberry plants along the stream.

The Rotary Club will be running stream side clean up walks every hour and participants could win the title of salmon king or salmon queen if they pick up enough trash.

“So they’ll be picking up the bad and putting in the good,” said Armour.

Visitors will also have a chance to admire information displays created by more than 470 local elementary school children who are involved with the Squamish rivers and estuary school program.

“The kids have prepared display boards demonstrating what they’ve learned about our watershed and the role that salmon plays within that watershed,” Armour said.

The Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) water group will be sharing information on water conservation while a BC Hydro conservation outreach team is scheduled to offer tips on home energy conservation.

Parents of environmentally-minded youths might want to speak with members of the Squamish Environmental Society who will be recruiting young members for its Earth keeper club.

“They’re just starting their Earth keeper club and it’s basically getting a group of kids together to have fun and take care of nature,” Armour said.

The public will have the opportunity to pick up a variety of educational material provided by Vancouver Aquarium or snack on hot apple cider, smoked salmon and freshly baked cookies courtesy of The Rotary Club.

For addition information on the 2009 Squamish Salmon Festival visit www.squamishstreams.com, email srws@shaw.ca or call 604-898-9171.

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