STEWARDSHIP IN THE UPPER BULKLEY

A Nature Centre in Houston, BC

The Upper Bulkley River flows through the town of Houston, BC. Though teeming with salmon, this river has long been impacted by human activity. The community of Houston and A Rocha have worked together to establish the Buck Creek Hatchery and Nature Centre to care for these waters.

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Help Restore Our Watershed

Phases 1 & 2 of the Buck Creek Hatchery and Nature Centre are complete! Thank you for your support! Now the real work begins!

Will you continue to join us on the journey? Your gift will help grow this hatchery and nature centre into a hub for conservation research and environmental education.

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Looking Back: Salmon Hatchery Grand Opening

One fine fall day the community of Houston, BC gathered in a celebration of hope for the Upper Bulkley River: the grand opening of the Buck Creek CANFOR hatchery!

A Rocha’s Upper Bulkley River Streamkeepers had been working towards a watershed stewardship facility on land provided by Canadian Forest Products near the confluence of Buck Creek and the Upper Bulkley River. The 20 foot x 30 foot building was Phase 1 of the larger watershed stewardship/nature centre that is now also complete and a hub for conservation, education and restoration in the Upper Bulkley River watershed.

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About the Centre

Hope for the Upper Bulkley:

Building a Nature Centre

The Buck Creek Hatchery and Nature Centre is a hub for all of A Rocha’s activities in Houston.

COMPLETED Phase 1 Hatchery was completed in fall of 2017! Come visit the hatchery, office and streamkeepers lab.

COMLETED Phase 2 Addition to the building to include a space for year-round indoor environmental education activities and interpretive displays.

ONGOING Phase 3 (2020 and beyond) Landscaping to create nature trails, a pond and outdoor interpretive displays focusing on sustainable forestry, agriculture and living practices.

Research in the Upper Bulkley Watershed

The data gathered through conservation research is shared with conservation decision makers as they make decisions that affect the health of the Upper Bulkley River watershed. We conduct long term research and monitoring using Streamkeeper’s methodology, iNaturalist, Bioblitz and other citizen science programs. We also collaborate with all levels of government, first nations, universities and others to ensure that research is shared and not duplicated for maximum effectiveness through the Upper Bulkley River Roundtable group.

Hands on Conservation

We are raising Coho salmon to be released into the Upper Bulkley River watershed as an educational tool for residents and visitors.

As we learn more about the watershed we will facilitate habitat restoration projects to restore and protect sensitive riparian habitat in the Upper Bulkley River.

Environmental Education

We provide dynamic, hands-on environmental education opportunities to encourage schools, local residents and visitors encouraging them to discover and enjoy the creatures in our watershed. Our education programs also engage landowners in watershed stewardship principles with the goal of encouraging future habitat restoration projects.

Exploration of Christian faith and environmental issues

We explore the connection between Christian faith and environmental issues with local churches and individuals.

For more information please contact us.

COMPLETE Nature Centre Construction Goal – $200,000 by June 2020

Bringing hands on nature education to Houston 100%

Support A Rocha’s Buck Creek Hatchery and Nature Centre in the beautiful Bulkley Valley. Every donation helps!

* Your donation supports the ongoing work at the Buck Creek Hatchery & Nature Centre. Please contact Cindy Verbeek to discuss current and future projects and programs at the Nature Centre.

Give Now

Help Restore Our Watershed

Phases 1 & 2 of the Buck Creek Hatchery and Nature Centre are complete! Thank you for your support! Now the real work begins!

Will you continue to join us on the journey? Your gift will help grow this hatchery and nature centre into a hub for conservation research and environmental education.

Give Now