BC Rivers Day 30 Years Later
Hundreds of people gathered on the banks of Fraser River in Burnaby on Sunday to show their support for British Columbia rivers.
It marked the 30 year anniversary of B.C. Rivers Day as well as the 5 year anniversary for World Rivers Day.
B.C. Rivers Day founder Marc Angelo was on hand to talk about his reasons getting involved in river conservation, as well as how surprised he is that the mission has spread across the globe.
Angelo has always been an avid fisherman and he chaired the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Fish and Wildlife Department where he was a professor for 35 years. He is currently the chairman of the River’s Institute at BCIT.
He says the goal of Rivers Day is to increase awareness about just how important our rivers are and inspire people to get more involved in river conservation throughout the year.
In 2005 the United Nations established World Rivers Day based on the template from BC, according to Angelo.
“To know it has it’s roots right here in the Fraser River Watershed is really neat,” he says.
Non-profit organization Evergreen was on hand with volunteers from the YMCA to remove invasive plants that are not native to Canada and have been interfering with the delicate ecosystem, such as Japanese Knot Leaf and Himalayan Blackberry.
Laura Smit, a volunteer with Evergreen says that it is especially important for urban populations to learn the benefits of sustainability for future generations.
“Bringing communities and nature together will benefit both,” she says.
The United Nations has declared 2010 the year of biodiversity, according to Smit.
There were also a number of activities tailored towards young people such as a learn to fish program organized by the
Freshwater Fish society, face painting, and a performance by the violin group Twisted String.
BCIT’s Aboriginal Services started of the event at noon and it ran until about 4pm.
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