Stewardship
Still Moon leads the ongoing restoration of Still Creek in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood through our Environmental Stewardship Programs.
Still Creek is an urban stream that runs through the unceded Coast Salish Territories of Burnaby and Vancouver. It is one of the few remaining open streams in the City of Vancouver, and was once home to a vast stream system supporting Pacific salmon species and Indigenous communities. Ongoing urbanization, including piping large parts of the stream system and industrial activity, led to poor drainage, the introduction of pollutants, and ongoing flooding events.
Still Moon has been involved in the restoration of Still Creek and developing the area as a community gathering space since 2003. This has been done through on-site work including removing waste and invasive species, planting and tending to native species, releasing salmon fry, and performing water and invertebrate sampling tests. We have worked alongside stewardship partners in federal and local governments, and Streamkeepers across the Lower Mainland.
A major breakthrough occurred in 2012 when the Chum salmon returned after 80 years of absence in the Vancouver portion of Still Creek; the Chum salmon spawned yearly from 2012 until 2017. To understand the significance of this event, check out Mark Angelo’s video below.
Still Creek is one of the few remaining places in Vancouver where communities can connect with and appreciate the natural stream system of the land. It is a place to find peace within the Renfrew-Collingwood urban landscape. Our goal is to continually improve the health of Still Creek for abundant salmon spawning and pave the way for a healthy ecosystem. Our Environmental Stewardship Programs provide a dynamic approach to ecological restoration, including public education, hands-on habitat restoration, and community engagement.
STEWARDSHIP WORK AND PROGRAMS
Still Creek Streamkeepers
The Still Creek Streamkeepers are a group of neighbours and citizen scientists who help take care of Still Creek and Renfrew Ravine, with the support of Still Moon Arts Society. They monitor the health of Still Creek and run activities that help improve water quality and local ecosystems.
Shedding Light, Still Creek Restoration Project
Shedding Light combines hands-on restoration work, educational talks, and creation of green infrastructure to address environmental issues in the Still Creek watershed. This project encourages community members to actively learn by listening to local speakers while participating in physical stewardship activities.
Crow Roost Twilight Bike Ride
In February or early March each year, Still Moon organizes a twilight bicycle ride along the Central Valley Greenway to quietly follow the crows to their roost on the banks of Still Creek.
Renfrew Ravine
Much of Still Moon Arts’ stewardship work is aimed at restoring Still Creek and the Renfrew Ravine, the last natural ravine in Vancouver with an above-ground stream running through it. Read more about the various installations and restoration work we have done over the years with the help of community members.
If you have questions regarding our Environmental Stewardship Programs, please email Adrian Avendaño, Stewardship Programs Manager at adrian@stillmoonarts.ca. To learn about Still Moon’s other events check out our Events Calendar.
GET INVOLVED
Interested in getting involved with our environmental stewardship work? Fill out the form below to get updates on new stewardship opportunities, or check out what upcoming events you can attend.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
OCT 3
Blackberry Removal- A Restoration Project at Still Creek
One of Still Moon’s restoration activities you can help take part in today is our restoration project by Still Creek at Cornett and Natal Street! Gather and bond together with community members to help restore our natural ecosystem by participating in the removal of invasive blackberry plants. Back in 2012-2016, chum salmon returned to this part of the creek and we would love to help keep this area healthy and clean. We will be re-planting the area later in October with native plants like salmonberry, serviceberry, willow and spirea.
If you are interested in this event, please email Emma Warner-Chee, Environmental Stewardship Coordinator at emma@stillmoonarts.ca for more information.
When: Oct 3, 9am-12pm
Where: Still Creek at Cornett and Natal Street
Price: Free
PAST PROJECTS
Wild Salmon Caravan (2016 & 2017)
We participated in a journey across Indigenous communities to learn from elders and knowledge-keepers about the importance of wild salmon to our land and food systems.
Reflecting Still Creek (2012-2013)
Bringing together community members with varying experiences and knowledge in stewardship and the arts, this project provided a model for community-led restoration of Still Creek.
Spirit Fish Festival (2009 – 2011)
We organized a parade and festival to celebrate bodies of water and the creatures that inhabit them, inviting participants to dress up as fish and reflect on the importance of our aquatic ecosystems.
FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS
