Mark Angelo, renowned river conservationist, author, speaker, educator, and BCIT Honorary Doctor of Technology, led the annual chum salmon release at Guichon Creek on April 24. BCIT students, daycare children, and distinguished guests celebrated the ongoing restoration of this once-polluted urban waterway.
The morning began with Mark reading his book, The Little Creek That Could, to the attentive young audience from the BCIT Student Association Childcare Centre. The story, which mirrors Guichon Creek’s journey from pollution to restoration, captivated the children before they participated in the day’s main event – the release of chum salmon.
Following the reading, Mark was joined by BC Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill and MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown Paul Choi as they led children down to the creek to release 15,000 young chum salmon into the waterways – marking s a powerful symbol of nature’s resilience and the commitment of BCIT’s environmental restoration efforts.
“Fifty years ago, I don’t think anybody thought there would ever be a salmon run in Guichon Creek,” Mark reflected during the event. “The fact that we can do this exemplifies that you should never give up on any river and that nature can heal itself if only we give it a chance.”
Mark emphasized the importance of involving children in conservation activities, noting that these experiences create lasting impressions that shape future environmental stewards.
“In an urban area like this, many children don’t get to experience nature as much as we would like, but a stream like Guichon Creek is just a wonderful feature to explore with a child,” Mark said. “I think it’s an experience that will resonate with them for many years to come.”
Future improvements planned
Adam Dickinson, Manager, Transportation, Landscape and Grounds, highlighted the Institute’s continuous efforts to rehabilitate the creek.
“We’ve added a fish ladder at the newly restored section of Guichon Creek,” said Adam. “Future plans include daylighting the creek outlet near the new Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology, helping salmon return further into campus.”
The annual salmon release is part of BCIT’s decades-long commitment to environmental restoration. Mark Angelo, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Technology at the BCIT 2025 Spring Convocation in June, has led countless initiatives to rehabilitate Guichon Creek since the 1970s.
The salmon release event stands as a testament to BCIT’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and the power of community action to restore natural habitats, even in urban settings.
