Pacific Parklands Foundation and the Kanaka Environmental Education Partners Society (KEEPS) joined forces with London Drugs in Maple Ridge to launch a fundraising and awareness campaign in support of a new Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre Academy, to be located in Kanaka Creek Regional Park.

The new Centre will replace the aging Bell-Irving Hatchery facility and expand its operation. In addition to being a productive fish hatchery and learning and research facility, the centre will be a model for watershed stewardship, environmental sustainability, education and outreach programs, and grassroots community engagement.

Clint Mahlman, Senior VP, London Drugs stated, “This is an important project for our local community and London Drugs will work closely over the coming months with KEEPS and the Pacific Parklands Foundation to get the message out to the community to support this campaign and to help keep our watersheds and salmon rivers healthy.” 

It will cost approximately 3 million dollars to complete the proposed centre including the design, building and site construction and furnishing the new facility with equipment. 

Metro Vancouver, KEEPS and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans partner to operate the Bell-Irving Hatchery. Metro Vancouver and KEEPS together deliver high quality programming and environmental stewardship throughout the park.

Local support will help to keep the natural ecosystems of the Kanaka Creek Regional Park and watershed healthy and productive through education, scientific research, land preservation and community involvement—all based on sustainability principles.