Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek has an advantage that many urban streams are desperately in need of: the enthusiasm and spirit of over a hundred young students from grades 1 to 6. Campbellton Elementary borders the creek's riparian area, offering excellent opportunities to teach young students lessons about a live salmon-rearing creek, and its surrounding ecosystem.

Throughout the past ten years or so, students of Campbellton Elementary have happily devoted their time and effort to helping the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek return to being a productive salmon stream. A variety of programs and activities have been organized around the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek. One of the most rewarding programs has been the raising of coho salmon. Starting from eggs, students feed the fry until they become fingerlings. Once they are large enough, the fish are released into the creek to start their journey.

Other activities have included raising funds to build a bridge over the creek on a well-used route to the school. Other educational programs have also been available, such as "Salmonids in the Classroom," which teaches children about the value of a salmon habitat stream and its interconnectedness to the rest of the world.

The bridge on the way to
Campbellton Elementary School.

With the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek project underway, new opportunities are arising for the school to get involved. Participating in the streamside re-vegetation program, planning additional trail routes, and helping create outdoor classrooms within the creek area are just a few excellent ideas that are being considered. Of course, these programs would not be possible without the prized support of the school administration. Principal Dan Wallis, and several enthusiastic teachers, are working to carry on and expand the interaction between the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek and the children. In fact, Campbellton Elementary is a great role model for other schools all over British Colombia. Virtually all of its students are already stream stewards in some capacity! If other schools follow this example and adopt a stream, we could hope to rest easy about the future of our urban streams.

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