We had the pleasure of hosting Mike Pearson from Pearson Ecological, a local biologist who joined us at the creek that flows through The Antler House property. We first encountered him at Earthwise Farm downstream from us while he was collecting data. He expressed interest in launching his boat further upstream to document the current conditions. Once he arrived, to achieve this, he used custom-made traps constructed from small gauge metal wire with offset holes on either side. After baiting the traps with salmon roe and leaving them in the water for a day, Mike returned to retrieve the findings. The traps were precisely marked with GPS for accurate tracking. The collected data included water temperature, electrical current, and oxygen levels, all of which are critical for evaluating the quality of water for living organisms. The water proved to be better than expected, hospitable and supportive of life, with acceptable levels of coolness and oxygenation.
Our findings showed a consistent presence of coho salmon and stickleback, along with a non-native pumpkin seed and various native salamanders and snails. We were particularly pleased to have seen the endangered salish sucker!
You might ask why would a private property owner be committed to supporting the well-being of Miami creek? For me personally, I have a primarily fish and seafood-based diet. Giving back to this vital resource is only fair, even though my impact may seem small. Whenever I feel worried about the state of the world and the global environment, I take solace in working along the creek bank, doing my part to improve the local environment. The presence of otters, martin, birds and fish reassures me that if the environment is thriving, if animals can thrive, so can I. By adding native plants along the stream bank, such as western red cedars and hemlocks, I not only promote a supportive ecosystem but also provide nourishment for animals. Additionally, these large native trees help stabilize the stream banks which could prevent land loss in a flood and offer much-needed shade, reducing the need for weeding invasive plants like morning glory and reed canary grass - which as a homeowner, I greatly appreciate!
Special thanks to expert Mike Pearson and our neighbours, Helmut, Sandy, and Adele Bray for joining us for this unique experience!
Resources:
Micheal Pearson - Pearson Ecological
For Land Owners - Fraser Valley Conservancy
Local Community Groups - Miami River Stream Keepers, Earthwise Society