The health of the Coquitlam River is important to residents as well as wildlife, and on Earth Day, April 22, there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate and work to protect this important watershed.
The Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable is hosting a series of public events that day to raise awareness about the river and will launch its Healthy Watersheds, Healthy People action plan for the Lower Coquitlam River watershed.
Starting out, there will be three opportunities for the community to do yoga together, a seniors' session from noon to 1 p.m. at Spirit Square, Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Crt. (bring a yoga mat, event held rain or shine). Then at 4 p.m., children will have a half-hour session, this one at the Coquitlam city hall courtyard, 3000 Guildford Way, followed by a community yoga session in the same courtyard, which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (bring a yoga mat and water).
"The kids are going to envision themselves as salmon going up the river and returning to complete their life cycles," explained Marni Turek, coordinator of the community roundtable initiative, who is helping to organize the event.
There will also be an art project where a scene on canvas will be created with public input and ideas. Art pieces in the past have included comments that helped inspire future projects.
"It really breaks the ice and people get really engaged in it," Turek said. "It was nice to see languages from all over the world in wishing the salmon a healthy journey on their way back to the streams."
But the highlight of the day will be an evening presentation about the science behind ecosystem services and the linkages to human well-being.
Craig Orr, a conservation advisor and member of the community roundtable, will be speaking at the Coquitlam city hall event at 7 p.m. He has helped lead the Watershed Watch Salmon Society for more than 16 years, examining water use issues, run-off-river planning, groundwater and salmon interactions, and the sustainability of salmon fisheries. Orr also advises the Kwikwetlem First Nation on conservation issues, including the restoration of Coquitlam River sockeye.
As well, from 4 to 8 p.m., there will be a watershed plan open house at city hall. In honour of Earth Day, people are encouraged to find alternative modes of transportation to city hall.
For more information visit www.coquitlamriverwatershed.ca or www.mywatershedmoment.ca.
