the society's projects

Regular Activities

bird house building Bird Housing:

Bird watching in our backyards is an enjoyable and simple activity for everyone.

Box Building – workshops to build lots of bird boxes are a popular activity thanks to Will and Janet Tyers.

The Purple Martin – waterfront residents are placing special bird houses to encourage the purple Martin. Not seen since 1948, it is believed the starling population overran the martins. With the help of this initiative from local birder Arnold Ski we await the return of the purple martin.

For More information see www.purplemartin.com

Loosestrife Removal in Lily Lake

Each summer the flowering Purple Loosestrife is monitored and pulled up from our community’s Lily Lake. Thanks to Anne Clemence, Julie Southerst, Dree and Granby Broderick, June Malaka and Joe and Solveigh Harrison who regularly help out on these muddy but fun days. Researchers at UBC recommended the small beetle, Gallerucella Calamariensis, be transported housed and released on Lily Lake in 2002. Its only diet is the invasive Loosestrife plant. Each year we inspect the shores of Lily Lake and we are gradually removing the spreading plant from the area.

Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count

Every December the PH&DWS participates in the world-wide Christmas Bird Count. Tony Greenfield, our Sunshine Coast Birding expert, and other enthusiasts lead groups of birdwatchers by boat and on foot to count and record birds along our coast. Thanks to John Field, John Dafoe and Paul Jones who take our groups out whatever the weather!

We then all meet and exchange reports in a fireside gathering and meal hosted by Aldo Cogrossi at his Italian restaurant.

For more information see www.audubonsociety.org

Summer Picnic

When summer is upon us here on the Sunshine Coast, members enjoy our annual picnic at a home, garden or park. In 2006 and 2007, The Society met at the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre at Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve.

For more information see www.lagoonsociety.com

The PH&DWS then breaks for the summer season and we meet again in the autumn.

Local Projects:

Lions Park Salmon Hatchery

Salmon Hatchery at Lions Park is an important and pioneering project. It was built by volunteers with funds donated from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Daiwa, the Vancouver Firemen as well as help from the UFAWU and the Unemployment Insurance. Personal donations were also a great help in the construction of the Hatchery. Thanks to the Pender Harbour Lions Club for the use of the site. Upper Anderson creek

Billy Griffith, former Society president and local fisherman, is champion of the Salmon enhancement which focuses on Coho eggs from Anderson, Myers, Mixall and Haskins creeks. Salmon are raised and kept for up to a year, then released in the spring. Since 1998, habitat protection and restoration have been key as the salmon will spawn and multiply naturally only once the streams and riparian areas are protected and maintained.

John Daly Regional Park

In 1979, the PH&DWS was formed especially to create this park - thanks to the rallying efforts of Edith Iglauer and hard work by Bill McNaughton,. The land was donated by Wilf Harper and the park was named in honour of our late friend and local fisherman John Daly. Their foresight helped protect the important Anderson Creek which runs through the Park to Oyster Bay. Anderson Creek is one of the largest salmon runs on the Sunshine Coast and salmon can be seen there every autumn. Salmon bring other wildlife to the park such as raccoons, bears, eagles, owls and hawks. The park is now managed by the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

Garden Bay Marine Park

The Society was instrumental in protecting this ocean front parcel in Garden Bay when the house was abandoned. The landing dock was repaired by volunteers and boaters and hikers can now enjoy this waterfront access. Thanks to Tom Barker this parcel has now been converted to a provincial Park.

Iris Griffith Wetlands Park in Madeira Park

Situated centrally behind the Post Office and Fire Hall in Madeira Park, this wetlands park was created with the PHG&D Partnership. Thanks to Tom Barker and Jim Cameron, who spearheaded the project, the Society now holds the foreshore lease. The wide boardwalk, seats and signage create a quiet and fascinating place for residents and visitors to spend time. It is named in honour of the late Iris Griffith our friend and founding Director of the Society.

Supporters of:

GRIPS Recycling Depot

Waste management is a big focus of the PH&DWS. To reduce reuse and recycle makes sense for everyone and benefits wildlife. Grips Recycling Depot on Highway 101 was created by the Society and is run by a volunteer Board made up mainly of Society members. Each month the Society also contributes funds for a prize draw.

Ruby Lake Lagoon

The Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society formed by local members is an active Charity promoting wildlife education and conservation. The PH&DWS hosts a table at their Wood Duck and Wilderness Festival each May – a spring gathering of local groups and artisans.

The Lagoon Society has also built the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre, a green building which displays a 3D topographical model of the region. Funds collected by the PH&DWS in memory of Iris Griffith in 2002 were donated and are acknowledged on this display.

The Charity has grown out of efforts and support by many PH&DWS members to protect and encourage interest in the natural world.

In December 2006, the Lagoon Society was generously awarded $4,000 funding from the FBCN towards the downstairs classroom/science laboratory area at the Iris Griffith Interpretive. The Wildlife Society had approached the FBCN for this grant which was made in recognition of Iris and Elaine Griffith aswell as Kay Beamish.

For more information see www.lagoonsociety.com

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres on the Sunshine Coast

Thanks to the dedication of wildlife rehabilitators Clint and Irene Davies of the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Cindy Rudolph in Halfmoon Bay, local wildlife have a chance at recovery should they be injured or abandoned. Transport, co-ordination, assistance and information are all ways the Society assists at this end of the Coast. Members are encouraged to support and promote wildlife rehabilitation in every way possible and we enjoy regular contact and updates on progress with the animals.

Meetings:

Thanks to everyone who contributes each month to the PHDWS meetings including:

Guest speakers we have had in the past include