Carey Island: A landmark conservation win

July 30, 2024

By: Lina Azeez

Finding space for a river to behave naturally is challenging in our increasingly urbanized world.

Lina Azeez, Watershed Watch’s habitats program director.

In the gravel reach of the Lower Fraser River that stretches from Hope to Mission, only a few remnants of a healthy floodplain still exist. A few areas where dikes have not yet fully channelized one of the greatest salmon-bearing rivers on Earth. A few in-tact gravel reaches that offer salmon shelter and endangered sturgeon safe breeding grounds.

Yet a well-connected floodplain is not only vital to salmon and sturgeon, it is one of our greatest defences against natural disaster, offering plenty of room for water to overflow its banks when needed. The direct and indirect benefits of a complex floodplain habitat for fish, birds, and terrestrial animals – including us – are immense.

So it is no small victory for salmon conservation and ecosystem preservation that the Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased Carey Island near Chilliwack. This former 248-hectare tree farm-turned-agricultural land is getting a new lease on life as a site for conservation, reconciliation, and ecosystem reconnection.

The Carey Island Conservation Area is a testament to the collective efforts of dedicated environmentalists, local communities, conservation organizations, and the Pelólhxw Tribes who have tirelessly advocated for the preservation of such vital habitats. Watershed Watch is proud to have been part of raising awareness of the potential development of this land, and then helping to co-ordinate like-minded organizations and government agencies that resulted in this milestone purchase.

Carey Island, a gravel island in the Fraser River near Chilliwack, has been purchased for conservation by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Carey Island is crucial for several reasons, most notably for its role providing salmon habitat. In-river gravel islands like this are essential for the lifecycle of salmon, providing ideal conditions for spawning and rearing. Flooded forests provide salmon refuge where they can enjoy a buffet of terrestrial bugs, growing bigger and stronger before heading out to the ocean. Gravel islands like this also play a vital role in maintaining the overall health of the riverine environment, acting as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants and thereby improving water quality. Their clean, oxygen-rich water and suitable gravel beds are critical for the development of salmon eggs and fry.

They are equally important for juvenile salmon from across the Upper Fraser watershed that seek refuge during the spring flood season. The preservation of these habitats ensures the survival and proliferation of highly valued Fraser River salmon populations. These islands also provide refuge for various wildlife species, including birds, amphibians, and aquatic insects, contributing to biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Development on in-river gravel islands and floodplains poses significant risks to these delicate ecosystems. Activities such as excessive gravel mining, industrial agriculture, construction, and other development can disrupt the natural processes that support salmon habitats. These actions can lead to increased sedimentation, altered water flows, and habitat degradation, ultimately jeopardizing the survival of salmon and other aquatic species.

And it can exacerbate the impacts of global warming. Natural floodplains and gravel islands serve as buffers during flood events, absorbing excess water and reducing the risk of downstream flooding. By preserving these areas, we enhance the river’s capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions and protect communities from the adverse effects of flooding.

The acquisition of Carey Island by Nature Conservancy Canada is not just a win for salmon; it is a victory for our communities and future generations. Carey Island will remain a sanctuary for wildlife, a place for the river to flood safely, and a vital component of the Fraser River ecosystem. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

At Watershed Watch, we are committed to protecting and restoring salmon habitats throughout British Columbia, and especially in the gravel reaches of the Fraser River. This success with Carey Island has inspired us to continue, knowing that together we can make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supported this cause and made this historic conservation achievement possible. Together, we can celebrate this victory and continue working towards a future where salmon and their habitats thrive.

Members of the Watershed Watch team joined members of the Cheam and Skwah nations and the Nature Conservancy of Canada in July for a tour of the Heart of the Fraser to mark the purchase of Carey Island.

Gravel islands like Carey Island play a vital role in maintaining the overall health of the riverine environment, acting as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants and thereby improving water quality.

There are few in-tact, undeveloped stretches of riverfront left in the lower Fraser River region that stretches from Hope to the Salish Sea.

 

Share This Story!

Carey Island: A landmark conservation win

July 30, 2024

By: Lina Azeez

Finding space for a river to behave naturally is challenging in our increasingly urbanized world.

Lina Azeez, Watershed Watch’s habitats program director.

In the gravel reach of the Lower Fraser River that stretches from Hope to Mission, only a few remnants of a healthy floodplain still exist. A few areas where dikes have not yet fully channelized one of the greatest salmon-bearing rivers on Earth. A few in-tact gravel reaches that offer salmon shelter and endangered sturgeon safe breeding grounds.

Yet a well-connected floodplain is not only vital to salmon and sturgeon, it is one of our greatest defences against natural disaster, offering plenty of room for water to overflow its banks when needed. The direct and indirect benefits of a complex floodplain habitat for fish, birds, and terrestrial animals – including us – are immense.

So it is no small victory for salmon conservation and ecosystem preservation that the Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased Carey Island near Chilliwack. This former 248-hectare tree farm-turned-agricultural land is getting a new lease on life as a site for conservation, reconciliation, and ecosystem reconnection.

The Carey Island Conservation Area is a testament to the collective efforts of dedicated environmentalists, local communities, conservation organizations, and the Pelólhxw Tribes who have tirelessly advocated for the preservation of such vital habitats. Watershed Watch is proud to have been part of raising awareness of the potential development of this land, and then helping to co-ordinate like-minded organizations and government agencies that resulted in this milestone purchase.

Carey Island, a gravel island in the Fraser River near Chilliwack, has been purchased for conservation by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Carey Island is crucial for several reasons, most notably for its role providing salmon habitat. In-river gravel islands like this are essential for the lifecycle of salmon, providing ideal conditions for spawning and rearing. Flooded forests provide salmon refuge where they can enjoy a buffet of terrestrial bugs, growing bigger and stronger before heading out to the ocean. Gravel islands like this also play a vital role in maintaining the overall health of the riverine environment, acting as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants and thereby improving water quality. Their clean, oxygen-rich water and suitable gravel beds are critical for the development of salmon eggs and fry.

They are equally important for juvenile salmon from across the Upper Fraser watershed that seek refuge during the spring flood season. The preservation of these habitats ensures the survival and proliferation of highly valued Fraser River salmon populations. These islands also provide refuge for various wildlife species, including birds, amphibians, and aquatic insects, contributing to biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Development on in-river gravel islands and floodplains poses significant risks to these delicate ecosystems. Activities such as excessive gravel mining, industrial agriculture, construction, and other development can disrupt the natural processes that support salmon habitats. These actions can lead to increased sedimentation, altered water flows, and habitat degradation, ultimately jeopardizing the survival of salmon and other aquatic species.

And it can exacerbate the impacts of global warming. Natural floodplains and gravel islands serve as buffers during flood events, absorbing excess water and reducing the risk of downstream flooding. By preserving these areas, we enhance the river’s capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions and protect communities from the adverse effects of flooding.

The acquisition of Carey Island by Nature Conservancy Canada is not just a win for salmon; it is a victory for our communities and future generations. Carey Island will remain a sanctuary for wildlife, a place for the river to flood safely, and a vital component of the Fraser River ecosystem. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

At Watershed Watch, we are committed to protecting and restoring salmon habitats throughout British Columbia, and especially in the gravel reaches of the Fraser River. This success with Carey Island has inspired us to continue, knowing that together we can make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supported this cause and made this historic conservation achievement possible. Together, we can celebrate this victory and continue working towards a future where salmon and their habitats thrive.

Members of the Watershed Watch team joined members of the Cheam and Skwah nations and the Nature Conservancy of Canada in July for a tour of the Heart of the Fraser to mark the purchase of Carey Island.

Gravel islands like Carey Island play a vital role in maintaining the overall health of the riverine environment, acting as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants and thereby improving water quality.

There are few in-tact, undeveloped stretches of riverfront left in the lower Fraser River region that stretches from Hope to the Salish Sea.

 

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One Comment

  1. Bonnie Cruickshank August 2, 2024 at 10:12 pm - Reply

    Thank you for all your incredibly vital work. Big congrats on Carey Island!

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