Partners in Conservation

On October 23rd, eager students from an Environmental Sciences class at Chilliwack Senior Secondary School rolled up their sleeves to make a meaningful impact on Chilliwack Creek’s riparian habitat. The planting event was hosted by S.A.Y. Lands Office, which is a group of three First Nations – Skowkale, Aitchelitz and Yakweakwioose – who aim to manage reserve lands in ecologically sound ways. We at the Fraser Valley Conservancy were honoured to be invited and take part by offering additional supplies and expertise in habitat restoration.

Indigenous Perspectives for Students

Importantly, students had the opportunity to learn about the history of the land from an Indigenous perspective. The Chilliwack River watershed underwent significant changes during the process of colonization – much of the area has been negatively impacted by agricultural and residential development. Where once stood a vibrant and healthy river now remains a small creek. Despite these challenges, S.A.Y. Lands Office is dedicated to empowering students with Indigenous perspectives about the land to help restore ecological integrity, creating a sustainable environment for us today and future generations to come.

What We Planted

Under the guidance of staff, students planted a variety of local trees and shrubs. Among the selection were aquatic plants such as scouring rushes, dagger-leaved rushes, and small flowered bullrushes, as well as plants such as Sitka sedges, red-flowering currants, and snowberries. These local species will be instrumental in creating a thriving habitat for wildlife. For example, the area where students planted surrounds a salmon stream. Their efforts will trigger a cascade of effects, enhancing the habitat quality to benefit the salmon.

“There is a cascade of effects, getting more mould and fungus which bugs eat, and then birds go after the bugs, hawks go after the songbirds, and so on and so forth, recreating an ecosystem from the ground up. The trees and shrubs that the students have planted in there are what jumpstart all that biodiversity.” – Steve Clegg, Land Stewardship Manager at S.A.Y. Lands Office

Students Share Their Experiences

“Participating in events like this foster’s community involvement and awareness about the importance of preserving natural spaces.” – Paige.

Students had a great time applying what they had been learning in class to the outdoors and gaining new knowledge along the way.

“I can’t wait to see how everything will grow. I also learned a lot of things because we had to take some things into account that I had never thought about before. For example, providing places for small animal to hide and sleep.” – Amina

Looking Ahead

This planting event has showcased the incredible impact of collaboration and youth involvement in protecting our environment. Our team was delighted to attend the event and offer an extra set of helping hands.

You can learn more about S.A.Y. Lands Office and the important work they do by visiting their website. In addition, with support from Ts’elxweyeqw Tribe, they’ve recently extended Ts’lhimexósem (Going for a Walk Together) Trail, which runs alongside Chilliwack Creek and goes through the area where much of their habitat restoration work has taken place. The trail is open to the public, so we encourage everyone to check it out!

S.A.Y. Lands Office Website