A Rocha Canada is a voice for the Upper Bulkley River watershed. Fed by many tributaries, including the Buck, Byman, Barren, Mcquarrie and Richfield creeks, the Upper Bulkley River is one of the most threatened watersheds in the larger Skeena River system. It is one of only two rivers in the world that still supports wild Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. The Upper Bulkley is also home to Coho Oncorhynchus kisutch, Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka, as well as otters, bears, wolves and Moose Alces alces.
The Upper Bulkley River Streamkeepers Project works with local churches, schools, governments, environmental organizations and concerned citizens to ensure that this watershed is healthy and flourishing.
As the District of Houston encompasses much of the watershed, many land use issues impact this ecosystem. The river and its streams are regularly used for drinking water, residential use, forestry, farming, mining, oil and gas pipelines, hydro right of way, recreation, flood control, hunting and fishing. Monitoring the health of the watershed is important for making conservation decisions that will help both people and wildlife who use the area. But coordinating conservation efforts with so few people over such large distances is challenging.
Our activities have included
Establishing a pilot coho hatchery and building the Buck Creek CANFOR hatchery
Researching on-land use and restoration
Bio-inventory surveying
Collecting water temperature data
Managing access to ensure salmon reach their spawning grounds
Increasing awareness using interpretive signage along trails
Organizing an annual fall Rivers Day event
Visit our streamkeepers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UBRStreamkeepers/
Check out A Rocha Canada’s conservation work: https://arocha.ca/what-we-do/conservation/
