HBFFA Conservation
From their beginnings in 1988, conservation activities by the club have been focussed on stream restoration. A survey of local streams, by former member Dave Hurn, led to the adoption of Sandhill Creek on the Saanich Peninsular. The creek was chosen for its proximity to Victoria, and for the presence of native sea-run cutthroat trout. As it turned out, it was an inspired choice. Sandhill Creek has a higher potential for fish production than almost any stream of comparable size in the province, because of its uniform year-round temperature and high levels of dissolved inorganic nutrients. Realizing this potential became a driving force for the newly formed Conservation Committee.
The first requirement was to fence the stream in a 740-m section in Silver Rill Farm, where cattle had trampled the watercourse into an impassable mud bath. With help from the club the Fisheries Branch (now Ministry of Fisheries) secured a substantial grant from the Habitat Conservation Fund for this task. Other work followed, including planting trees and shrubs along the creek and its tributary, Kennel Brook; installation of culverts for cattle crossings; modification of culvert entries to enable upstream passage of fish; installation of a deep well to supplement summer flows; and improving public awareness.
Activity on Sandhill Creek has diminished, partly because a serious problem developed at a major culvert, where a plunge pool created by rock and log placements has been demolished by flood water. A lasting correction will require more resources than the club has available, and we await an opportunity to work in collaboration with another organization. However, the club has continued work on the tributary Kennel Brook at Puckle Road Seed Orchard where shade plantings of alder and cedar are slowly reducing the invasion of reed canary grass. Club members have worked hard on dam maintenance at Four Bay Lake near Jordan River, a project now discontinued, and is following progress in the Douglas Creek restoration project in Victoia, with a view to providing assistance on request of project leaders.
The Conservation Committee provides a forum for discussing conservation issues such as fish farming, fish hatcheries, and stocking policies, and was an active partipant in the Cowichan River Angling Focus Group Meeting in December 2006. In October, 2006, the club made a written submission to the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, and attended the Victoria meeting of the Committee at that time.
The club contributes financially to conservation and related activities of other organizations, including the Kingfisher Creek Society, Watership Foundation, and Steelhead Society. Funds are raised in a variety of ways; sales of Cowichan River Maps have been an important source of revenue in recent years.