Progress
The Chilliwack
Friday
15
26
Life
Minter
30
Sports
In memory
Watering
Dunn Deal
Bursary honours late dragon boater, Lois Boschman.
Brian’s watering tips for the summer heat.
Chiefs deal Madison Dunn for help on the blueline.
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • F R I D AY, J U LY 1 1 , 2 0 1 4
Dedication to amphibian survival leads to ‘Superman’ award Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Ryder Lake resident Steve Clegg was flattered to be recognized for his work protecting endangered toads and frogs. The Fraser Valley Conservancy presented him with the ‘Superman Award’ last month in recognition of his “super-human dedication” to the amphibians of Ryder Lake and “his endless enthusiasm promoting conservation in the Fraser Valley.” It’s particularly timely now because the juvenile Western toads of Ryder Lake are starting their annual migration this week. “It’s nice to see the recognition,” Clegg told The Progress about the award. “It’s a very strong feeling when you do something you believe in for a long time, and others show you that they share those same values,” he said. Clegg started volunteering with FVC in 2008 to help with the Ryder Lake Amphibian Protection project. He’s not a biologist by training. He’s employed as an environmental services specialist for the City of Chilliwack. “I would put myself more in the naturalist category,” he said, about his interest in toads and frogs. His degree is in geography and environmental studies. But as a kid growing up in Ryder Lake, he always noticed the creatures that populate the area. “I grew up here. For all intents and purposes, they’re right in my backyard,” he said. Migration for the toadlets is always risky because they strive to get from a rearing pond, across the roads and into to Ryder Lake. The species range from Western toads to red-legged frogs, but the juveniles on the move now are toads. As an adult, Clegg became aware of the serious conservation challenges they were facing. Continued: CLEGG/ p3
“It’s the first time a community has built a campsite primarily for recreational fishermen,” said Darwin Douglas, a board member for Cheam Enterprises, which is developing Cheam Fishing Village Campground. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS FILE
Riverside campground built on Cheam beach to serve a growing recreational fishing sector It’s shaping up to be a big season for fishing on the river Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Cheam Fishing Village is a new campground ready to open this week on the Fraser River. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind project,” said Darwin Douglas, a Cheam band councillor, and board member for Cheam Entreprises, which is developing the campsite. The venture is unique in Sto:lo territory. “It’s the first time a community has built a campsite primarily for recreational fishermen,” Douglas said, adding that the
people of Cheam will own it. It’s shaping up to be a big season for salmon fishing on the Fraser this summer, so it only makes sense to put out the welcome mat for recreational anglers, he said. “Fishing has always been a huge part of our culture. The idea is we will host them and welcome them into our community,” Douglas explained. The fishing village offers a chance to share the picturesque site with visitors, as well as the history and culture of Cheam First Nation, also known as the Pilalt tribe. There will be 50
campsites, with many of them offering riverfront views. “It’s a big step,” he noted. There has been friction between the groups in the past, acknowledged Douglas. But there have also been improvements, and growth. There have been discussions and collaborations between the communities in recent years that made the new business seem like a natural. “We’ve talked about it at the band council level, and with fishermen. We want to go down a different path now.” The idea to is to foster better
communication and understanding on both sides, through positive interaction between Cheam members and anglers at the campground. “We think it’s a good way to move forward. We’re excited about it.” The recreational fishery has seen steady growth, with many coming from across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver and Washington state to fish the mighty Fraser. “There’s lots of demand for access to the river, and not a Continued: CHEAM/ p6
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