Is Road Salt Harming Salmon? What We're Learning in Still Creek & Beyond

Since 2022, the Still Creek Steamkeepers, along with 12 other community groups, have been collecting data across 28 local creeks. Local researchers are using this data to better understand the real-life effects of road salt on our salmon populations.

Join us to hear from some of the people involved in this project, including researchers and streamkeepers, about what this project has discovered so far. We'll also discuss what we can do to protect salmon while still keeping our roads safe.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, November 27
• Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
• Location: Renfrew Branch, Vancouver Public Library (Google Map)
• Food & Drink: We will provide light snacks.

Getting There

• #16 & #25 buses stop at Renfrew Street and East 22nd Avenue
• Bike rack towards the left of the library entrance.
• Free street parking and free underground parking lot accessible via Nootka Street
• We recommend walking, taking the bus, riding your bike, or carpooling when possible.

Accessibility

• Building Entrance: medium-grade ramp, street level (East 22nd Street), motion-detection automatic door
• Second entrance using the elevator from underground parking accessible from Nootka Street.
• Mobility-device accessible washrooms on site - grab handles
• Meeting room has turnaround space

Note

Photos and/or videos may be taken to document the event for Still Moon Arts Society’s archival and promotional purposes, and reporting to funders. You will be asked for consent at the beginning of the event and your choice does not impact your ability to participate fully in the experience.

About the Speakers

Nikki Kroetsch works as the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Pacific Science Enterprise Centre (PSEC, a research lab in West Vancouver). Before obtaining her current position, Nikki completed her Master’s in collaboration with PSEC, looking at how governments can better collaborate with stewardship groups on environmental monitoring initiatives. As part of her current role, Nikki leads the PSEC Community Stream Monitoring (CoSMo) project, in collaboration with stream stewardship groups from Howe Sound to Chilliwack. She also supports the Road Salt and Salmon Project, which has been one of her favourite projects to date.

Carley Winter: After graduating with my degree in Biology, I sought to explore opportunities in various fields, from marine mammal rehabilitation to conservational fieldwork. My interests then led me to an environmental research and toxicology lab where I performed standardized and specialized tests working with various larval fish and invertebrates. Since conducting toxicity evaluations, I was excited to join UBC’s Road Salt and Pacific Salmon Success Project to investigate the impact road salt contamination may have on the physiology of salmonids. We are exploring if pulses of salinity have implications on the hatching and development of Rainbow trout (O.mykiss) and Coho Salmon (O.kisutch).

Land acknowledgement

The Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival and all of Still Moon Arts' programming take place on the unceded territories of Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

About Still Moon Arts Society

Still Moon Arts Society mobilizes community and creates positive change through eco-arts and environmental stewardship programming, and produces the annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Still Moon is a registered charity whose mission is to inspire vibrant and connected communities by creating artistic experiences and nurturing a passion for nature.

Thank you to our Funders & Partners

This talk is presented in partnership with the Renfrew Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board , Government of British Columbia, and the many other supporters, donors, and volunteers who make Still Moon's work possible.