Profiles on Parade: Ken
Enns
By Damien Barstead
In January of 1996, Ken Enns took a two-month leave of absence from his job as the
co-owner of the River Sportsman store in Campbell River, in order to devote his time and energy
to helping Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek. Ken Enns' intimate knowledge of Haig-Brown
Kingfisher Creek has allowed him to contribute greatly to the Society. One of Ken's major
achievements during this time was the development of the first set of creek maps which
outlined all the creek’s water ways and the extent of the watershed. This work
culminated in Ken calling a meeting of as many stakeholders as possible in February of 1996, to
explore the possibility of restoring the creek during the approaching phase of highway and
residential construction. Ken's positive attitude worked as a source of inspiration at a key time,
when development was just in the planning stages.
Ken then went back to work, concentrating on his business and family, and entrusting his
work on the creek to the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Society to continue. These first two
months were only the beginning of Ken’s involvement in the project.
Ken Enns
Ken Enns is a third generation Campbell Riverite who attended Campbellton
Elementary, and whose family has lived directly on top of the watershed since their arrival in the
area. As a result, Ken Enns has developed a passion for Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek, and has
become an important player in the struggle to restore it. Tagged as the "Ambassador to the
Project," Ken’s natural desire and ability to drum up public support through his excellent
communication skills and eagerness to involve all groups, both private and public, has resulted
in him dealing with many diverse agencies.
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These agencies have ranged from forestry and industry groups in the past, to the
Vancouver Island Highway project currently, as well as the Native band associated with the
watershed’s upper reaches.
Moreover, Ken Enns has provided invaluable motivation for everyone involved in the
project with his extremely positive vision of a restored Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek (and a
stream of ideas to make it happen). His strong listening abilities, honest and sincere attitude,
firm belief in common sense, and his desire to help out Mother Nature wherever possible are all
direct assets for the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Society and the restoration project.
Ken’s contributions are also being felt by the other agencies that he is involved with. The
Campbell River Estuary Management Commission, whose main goals are to relocate industry
away from the sensitive marine areas and to rehabilitate estuaries to a more natural state, has
benefited from Ken’s experience. Ken is also involved with the Campbell River Gravel
Committee. This group’s top three concerns are fish, recreation, and Hydro. The Campbell
River Gravel Committee developed the first flow management agreement for the Campbell
River. This agreement was initiated as a result of poorly managed flood waters at BC Hydro’s
Campbell River Dam, which led to the obliteration of a newly constructed salmon rearing and
spawning channel in the river in 1996.
Ken Enns, an enthusiastic visionary seeing into the future of his watershed, feels that
he is "on the verge of making a real difference" with his efforts to promote
conservation. With memories of fish swimming over Campbellton Elementary’s schoolyard to
spawn, and growing up only meters from the creek's confluence with the Campbell River, Ken
has developed an intimate connection with Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek. Had Ken’s
experience and energy not been brought to the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Society, this
project probably would not be where it is today.
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