PSL – the Debate is Out and Volunteers are Needed
PSL? ~ Maryam Samadi from Pexels and V. East
Beach sampling
Vortexing ~ J. Lund
Microscope egg hunting
Volunteers Wanted
The Forage Fish team is looking for local volunteers to support sites in Campbell River, Quadra Island, and the Comox Valley area, as well as for blitz events in December. Typically, November and December sampling occurs about every two weeks with New Moons and Full Moons. For more details regarding blitz events, as well as lab opportunities, please contact Virginia. Volunteer opportunities include a variety of aspects of the sampling process at a variety of locations across the northern Salish Sea:
- Regular sampling
- Blitz sampling
- Sieving and Vortexing
- Microscope Egg Hunting
We hope that you can find an aspect and location that works for you!
In addition to volunteers, we are looking for stories. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) is an important element of Project Watershed’s BCSRIF Forage Fish Project. LEK includes stories like “going down to the beach and collecting “Grunions” (surf smelt) by the wheel burrow full in the fall”, noticing changes in the sand on a beach you walk on regularly or catching “needle fish” (Pacific sand lance) when you wanted to catch a large fish. Are you a birder who notices that at certain times of the year there are more birds on a particular beach? Do you know locations where you used to go and see Pacific sand lance or surf smelt? You can help us out by emailing your stories to Virginia or filling out the questionnaire.
Related Posts
Eelgrass and Kelp Feature – Spring 2025
Spring is nearing its end and just like on land, this time of year is peak growth season for marine plants. With support from the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund, Project Watershed has been working on two projects to restore eelgrass habitat in Fanny Bay and kelp habitat near Cape Lazo.
Spring Invasives Removal at Kus-kus-sum
We are looking for volunteers to assist us with our first weeding event of the spring at Kus-kus-sum to keep the invasives at bay and help our native plants flourish!
Education Program Feature – Spring 2025
Over the last eight years, Project Watershed has been developing and running our Keeping It Living Education Program to educate youth about their environment and connect them with its stewardship.
Eelgrass Transplant Tying at Ships Point
We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare eelgrass shoots for transplant as part of our upcoming restoration work near Ships Point.
Spring and Summer Forage Fish Sampling
Spring and summer forage fish sampling is starting back up again in May!
Forage Fish Symposium and CFFN AGM
The Coastal Forage Fish Network is hosting their Annual Spring symposium via zoom on April 23, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm. It will be followed by an AGM. This gathering brings together researchers, experts and community science volunteers to share forage fish research highlights and from across Vancouver Island and beyond.