Miami River Stewardship “Think Tank”

  • In late 2018, the Miami River Streamkeepers Society was asked by Mayor Leo Facio of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs to convene a group of knowledgeable professionals to advise the Village on stewardship of the Miami River watershed.
  • The following environmental groups participated:
    • Miami River Streamkeepers Society
    • Earthwise Society
    • Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society
    • Harrison Salmon Stronghold
    • Fraser Valley Conservancy
    • Pearson Ecological
    • DFO Community Advisor
    • Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition
    • Raincoast Conservation Foundation
  • The group began meetings in early 2019, calling themselves the Miami River Restoration Project Think Tank.
  • In August 2019 they presented a Brief to Mayor Facio on the following topics:
    • Tree and Riparian Stewardship
    • VHHS representation on the Agassiz-Harrison Mills Drainage Committee
    • Habitat enhancement projects in the East Sector Lands
    • Community to Community forum – Salmon Stewardship in Local Agricultural Watersheds
    • Build Capacity for Community Engagement & Awareness -” Miami River Watercourse Trail” from the District of Kent to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs
  • Facio presented the brief to the VHHS Council on September 9th, 2019.
  • On September 12 MRSS received a letter of response from the VHHS CAO, who said:
    • VHHS is budgeting for a Urban Forest Management Plan
    • To contact the District of Kent for information on the Drainage Committee
    • VHHS is committed to supporting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices on Village land
    • The Community to Community Forum receives delegation and to contact them on Salmon Stewardship in Local Agricultural Lands
    • VHHS looks forward to hearing more of the proposed Miami River Watercourse Trail.
  • Two Stewardship Think Tank members shared ideas for “Salmon Stewardship in Local Agricultural Watersheds” with the Agassiz-Harrison Community to Community Forum on November 22, 2019.