Rivershed
Society
of British Columbia
media release
|
Rivershed
Society media release |
RSBC hosts 6th Annual Riversheds Forum
For
Immediate
Release
May 25th2006
Learn more about salmon stewardship and sustainability at two free evening
sessions Friday and Saturday. Join the Rivershed Society of British Columbia
(RSBC) at Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem or the Chehalis Healing House on the banks
of the Chehalis River, near Harrison, as part of the 6th Annual
Riversheds of the Fraser Forum.
On Friday, June 2 at 7p.m., Dr. Marvin Rosenau will speak and answer questions about his latest initiative to save the Fraser River. Called the “Heart of the Fraser,” the campaign was created by Rosenau and renowned rivers advocate, Mark Angelo, who joined forces to identify, conserve, protect and restore key portions of the Hope to Mission reach. They hope to sustain and secure the biological and ecological integrity of this incredibly productive area. Rosenau and Angelo say the reach is at risk from continued encroachment by land development and extensive resource extraction.
Rosenau has a PhD from the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, New Zealand and during the last 25 years worked as a research and management biologist for academia, private consulting companies and the BC government.
On Saturday June 3 at 7 p.m. Peter Donaldson will present an excerpt from his hugely successful play, Salmon People. Donaldson, a master storyteller, educator and community organizer, tours the Pacific Northwest with this one-man show in the fall to coincide with the return of the salmon.
These evening sessions are part of the larger two and half day Riversheds Forum, where stewards from around the Fraser River Basin gather to share ideas, strategize and learn about salmon stewardship and sustainability issues. The forum is sponsored by the Bullitt Foundation, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Sierra Club of Canada – BC Chapter.
“We are delighted the RSBC has chosen the Fraser Valley to host its 6th Annual Riversheds Forum,” says Brad Whittaker, Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional Watersheds Coalition. “They have an exciting line up of speakers and activities, including a field trip on the Chehalis and I encourage you to attend.”
Other key speakers at the Forum include Grand Chief Rose Charlie and innovator Colin Grant of Real Living Solutions.
"I have attended every Forum since 2001", says John Kupp of the Chilliwack Watershed Restoration Society. "Each year, I learn something new that can applied to our watersheds in Chilliwack. Others learn from me also – it’s a great place to exchange ideas with people about solutions and best practices.”
The Riversheds Forum benefits Fraser River Basin communities by building capacity among stewardship groups, schools, First Nations and local governments with respect the delivery of conservation, education and stewardship initiatives and activities.
To learn more about or register for the free evening sessions at the Forum visit www.rivershed.com or phone (604) 941-5937.
To get to the Chehalis Healing House, travel along the Lougheed Hwy, turn north at the Sasquatch Inn onto Morris Valley Road. Travel for 7 km, and immediately after the single lane bridge (over the Chehalis River), turn right at the sign for Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem.
- 30 -
For more information about the RSBC’s Riversheds Forum visit: www.rivershed.com or phone Fin Donnelly at (604) 941-5937.
For more information about the Heart of the Fraser Campaign visit: www.heartofthefraser.bcit.ca
For more information about Peter Donaldson and the Salmon People visit: www.peterdonaldson.net
Ø Traveling East along Lougheed Hwy #7, drive through Mission on your way to Harrison Hot Springs, watch for the signs to the Hemlock Valley Ski Resort. Turn north at the Sasquatch Inn onto Morris Valley Road. Travel north for 7 km. Immediately after the single lane bridge (over the Chehalis River), turn right at the sign for Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem.