British Columbia Stewardship Community Workshop 2017, Quesnel, BC

Early Morning Sessions 9:00 - 10:15

Adult Brood Handling and Collection (repeats)
A general overview of the SEP Hatchery Production Planning process. Adult broodstock capture methods, handling, transport and holding.
Presenter: Rob Dams
Aquatic Invertebrate Study (outside)
Invertebrates play an important role in the aquatic food chain and are indicators of water quality. You will identify and count stream bugs to learn how much natural food is available in-stream for your fry after release. (Module 4 of the Streamkeepers Handbook)
Presenter: Jennifer Sutherst
Community Involvement Funding (repeats)
DFO’s Community Involvement Program is shifting from Contracts to Contribution Agreements for funding community projects. This session looks at the changes involved and explores the new opportunities a Contribution Agreement provides. Attendance will be rewarded.
Egg to Fry (repeats)
New strategies and techniques for optimum survival. Our egg collection, fertilization, disinfection, incubation and rearing, affect salmon throughout their life cycle. Understand what is happening inside the egg as we handle them from first division of their cells to ponding.
Presenters: Erica Blake and Dave Davies
Salish Sea Marine Survival Program
The Salish Sea Marine Survival Program is an international program developed by the Pacific Salmon Foundation. This project will simultaneously study all biological and environmental factors affecting salmon in the Salish Sea and test hypotheses of how this marine ecosystem functions.
Presenter: Dr. Brian Riddel Pacific Salmon Foundation
Society Act Changes
There are changes to the Society Act and this affects many groups in Community Involvement. Attend and hear a presentation from an expert on the topic from the BC Law for Non-Profits Group.
Presenter: Martha Rans, Law for Non-Profits Society
Stream to Sea Education Program
Join local DFO Education Coordinators as they share Stream to Sea Education Program goals and learning opportunities. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Northern BC programming.
Presenters: Terri McClymont and Sue Hemphill

Late Morning Sessions 10:45 - 12:00

Adult Brood Handling and Collection (repeat)
A general overview of the SEP Hatchery Production Planning process. Adult broodstock capture methods, handling, transport and holding.
Presenter: Rob Dams
Fry to Release (repeats)
Participants will learn about recommended fish culture strategies from ponded fry to release, along with tips and tricks and best management practices for success in raising juvenile salmon in hatcheries. There will also be a focus on marking and tagging, and how marking data is used in SEP.
Presenter: Robert Schaefer
Advanced Stream Habitat Survey (outside)
Learn how to choose a reference sight, conduct cross sectional surveys, measure discharge, and assess habitat quality. (Module 2 of Streamkeepers Handbook)
Presenter: Jennifer Sutherst
Parental Based Tagging Update
An update from DFO Science on the latest and greatest DNA findings. This genetic tagging allows for an added dimension in monitoring and evaluating the different hatchery and release practices. This is a revolutionary tool which provides unprecedented genetic tools for managing wild and hatchery stocks. Parental Based Tagging technologies identify the stock and age. Learn how this technique works!
Presenter: John Candy
Quesnel River Research Centre and Nechako Watershed Integrated Research Program
Participants will hear an overview of continuing research at the QRRC and a summary (2014-16) of the work being done by the UNBC on three areas of enquiry for the Nechako River Basin: Climate Change, Sediment Sources/Dynamics and Tools for Integration in Watershed Management and Governance.
Watershed Round Table - Coastal and Interior Experiences
A Watershed Round Table is a regional government- citizen forum that promotes collaboration and cooperation among many levels of government and stakeholder interest groups. Speakers will elaborate on lessons learned and best processes on how to proceed.
Presenter: Tom Rutherford

Early Afternoon Sessions 1:00 - 2:15

Aquatic Invasives
Aquatic invasive species continue to be an issue throughout the province. We will explore the program “Don’t Let it Loose” and the speakers will document ways in which to approach the situation in your region. Discover some tactics which could be implemented in your neighbourhood.
Egg to Fry (repeat)
New strategies and techniques for optimum survival. Our egg collection, fertilization, disinfection, incubation and rearing, affect salmon throughout their life cycle. Understand what is happening inside the egg as we handle them from first division of their cells to ponding.
Fish Dissection (hands-on)
Explore the wonders of salmon anatomy through a real-life demonstration. Participants will perform their own hands-on dissection and learn how to give an engaging presentation in a classroom or at a public event. Studying salmon anatomy provides a unique opportunity to understand how fish are adapted to their aquatic environment.
Presenters: Bev Bowler and Judy Hillaby
Grassroots Fundraising - tools for strengthening supporter donations
Whether a charity or not, building financial stability for your activities often rests in the strength of your donor base. Building broad based donor support can give you the flexibility to focus your work on where you need it most. This session will walk through a 5-step process for building and strengthening the donor base of your stewardship programs. Participants will leave with new tools and inspiration to deepen donor development for their programs and/or groups. Hosted by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, an initiative designed to build, connect and support freshwater constituencies across Canada.
Stock Assessment
An overview of coho and chinook escapement with a review of the types of estimation DFO requires. We will look at where and when volunteers fit in to these estimates based on risk management, flexibility of study design, operating environments and other conditions.
Presenters: Richard Bailey
Stream Restoration (outside)
Explore DFO’s framework to help your planning process. How to assess the completed project and plan ongoing monitoring and maintenance. What are the limiting factors with projects? Could it be a lack of gravel, a limited number of pools for rearing or other factors?

Late Afternoon Sessions 2:45 - 4:00

Beach Seine (outside)
Participants will complete a river beach seine to explore the rich diversity inhabiting our interior Fraser River ecosystems. (If possible wear sturdy waterproof boots).
Presenters: Guy Scharf, Patrick Fairweather and Brian Murland
Community Involvement Funding (repeat)
DFO’s Community Involvement Program is shifting from Contracts to Contribution Agreements for funding community projects. This session looks at the changes involved and explores the new opportunities a Contribution Agreement provides. Attendance will be rewarded.
Fry to Release (repeat)
Participants will learn about recommended fish culture strategies from ponded fry to release, along with tips and tricks and best management practices for success in raising juvenile salmon in hatcheries. There will also be a focus on marking and tagging, and how marking data is used in SEP.
Juvenile Trapping and ID Surveys (outside)
You will learn how to trap juvenile fish using Gee minnow traps and pole seines. We will also cover basic sampling and anaesthetising of the fish to obtain lengths and weights as well as data collection. This session will be outdoors on Baker Creek. (Module 11 in the Streamkeepers Manual).
Riparian Planting and Invasive Plant Strategy
The plant experts are here to help - bring your questions. Learn how to create a happy environment for local plants while weeding out the invasive ones. Invasive plants create increased siltation, erosion and a lack of biodiversity.
Presenters: Steve Relikov
Stream to Sea Fish Prints (hands-on)
Time for fun, time for art class. Come prepared to create a fish print and take home a one-of-a-kind art piece with you. Everything you need to discover your inner artist will be provided at this session. Getting messy in class can be for grown-ups as well (bring an apron).
Presenter: Stacey Larsen
Wild Salmon Policy/Fisheries Act Update
Discussion on updates of the implementation to the Wild Salmon Policy and changes to the Fisheries Act. Learn how we are improving the tools used to protect the environment and ensuring the sustainability of Canada’s fisheries.
Presenters: Sarah Murdoch and Suzanne Thorpe

Workshop 2017 Quesnel, BC May 19-21, 2017

Adult Brood Handling and Collection (repeats)

Aquatic Invertebrate Study (outside)

Community Involvement Funding (repeats)

Egg to Fry (repeats)

Salish Sea Marine Survival Program

Society Act Changes

Stream to Sea Education Program

Adult Brood Handling and Collection (repeat)

Fry to Release (repeats)

Advanced Stream Habitat Survey (outside)

Parental Based Tagging Update

Quesnel River Research Centre and Nechako Watershed Integrated Research Program

Watershed Round Table - Coastal and Interior Experiences

Aquatic Invasives

Egg to Fry (repeat)

Fish Dissection (hands-on)

Grassroots Fundraising - tools for strengthening supporter donations

Stock Assessment

Stream Restoration (outside)

Beach Seine (outside)

Community Involvement Funding (repeat)

Fry to Release (repeat)

Juvenile Trapping and ID Surveys (outside)

Riparian Planting and Invasive Plant Strategy

Stream to Sea Fish Prints (hands-on)

Wild Salmon Policy/Fisheries Act Update

Workshop 2017
Quesnel, BC
May 19-21, 2017