Members of the non-profit, faith-based conservation organization donned rubber boots and got their hands dirty last month for a restoration project at Semiahmoo Stables.
Led by A Rocha’s Conservation Team watershed stewardship co-ordinator Christy Juteau, the crew of volunteers worked on the area, including on Sam Hill Creek, a salmon-bearing stream that runs through the South Surrey property.
The creek is a two-km tributary of the Little Campbell River, which supports many animals, including birds, fish and amphibians, as well as the spawning and rearing of coho salmon.
However, the stream is under constant stress from urban and rural development, a news release stated, causing increased erosion, sedimentation, nutrient overload, fecal contamination and invasive species.
The restoration at Semiahmoo Stables involved construction of a fence to keep horses out of the stream, removal of invasive species and planting of native riparian plant species.
Teaming with Surrey’s Salmon Habitat and Restoration Program, the A Rocha Conservation Team are working to assess the Little Campbell River and its tributaries and identify enhancement opportunities in the area to improve habitat conditions.