The Morrison Creek Streamkeepers (MCS), are an active group of watershed residents and community members dedicated to preserving, rehabilitating and promoting public awareness of the Morrison Creek watershed. MCS worked for several years gathering biophysical data on the watershed and teamed up with the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society to complete a streamside landowner contact program in 2000.
As well, MCS worked with the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (an Environment Canada program) to complete works aimed at ensuring the longterm health of the Morrison Creek Lamprey. They used to deploy a smolt fence every year to check the health of the fish population and take census of the salmonid population for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) but have discontinued due to declining numbers of lamprey. As much as possible, MCS volunteers are also actively involved in land-use planning at all levels of government. They have also conducted restoration projects with the guidance of both DFO and BC Ministry of Environment with details of their latest projects available in the Archives.
Some of our members out for a walk by the Creek.
Recent News
Arden Creek Restoration Project
Project Team: • Morrison Creek Streamkeepers • Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Pacific Salmon Foundation • School District 71 • Current Environmental Ltd. Purpose: To restore and enhance the riparian (streamside) and in-stream habitat of Arden Creek where it runs across School District 71 property at École Puntledge Park Elementary…
Spring Investigations
With the weather improving we have been able to get out into the headwaters again on occasion and found a pair of Green-winged Teal in monkey flower pond with a pair of mallards. Green-winged Teal Nice to start the new year with a new bird for the headwaters list! Spring…
Council approves motion to protect watershed
Morrison Creek is the only known home for the Morrison Creek sub-species of Western Brook Lamprey anywhere in the world. Courtenay council unanimously approved a motion from Doug Hillian to establish a consistent 30-metre setback to help protect the Morrison Creek Watershed. “Anybody who’s walked along our streams and has…
Did you know?
The Morrison Creek Lamprey lives in the Morrison Creek and no where else in the world! It is listed as endangered under the Federal Species at Risk Act. An action plan is currently being developed by Department of Fisheries and Oceans to understand how best to protect this rare species. There are two different life forms from this single species – those with teeth (parasitic) and those without (non-parasitic). The parasitic variants are often known as the ‘silver’ form due to their silver upper body.
Membership
If you wish to join us in protecting and preserving this amazing little stream, please consider a membership!
