Volunteers on the Go | Building Community with MVIHES

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES), and their dedication never ceases to amaze. From rescuing stranded Coho Salmon fry to showcasing stunning local art, our volunteers have been on the go all summer in 2024—and we want to invite you to join them in 2025. Whether you’re a biology enthusiast, an art lover, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, there’s a place for you in our vibrant volunteer community.

One of our most exciting ongoing projects involves rescuing stranded Coho Salmon fry. Led by volunteer Dick Dobler and his intrepid crew—Terry Baum, Rick and Randy Walz, Maggie Estok, Carl Rathburn, Chris Smith, and Barb Riordan—our team has ventured into Shelly Creek and French Creek to save fry stuck in tiny, fast-drying pools. This isn’t just about scooping up fish and setting them free; we carefully measure water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels in both the rescue sites and the planned release sites to ensure that relocation is genuinely needed and that the fry will thrive once they’re moved. So far, we’ve rescued approximately 3,500 Coho Salmon fry—invaluable work that bolsters local biodiversity and keeps our creeks healthy.

But MVIHES volunteers aren’t just tackling fieldwork; some are also creative forces who fuse art with ecological stewardship. Two of our volunteers, Chris Smith and Deb Freeman, recently contributed to a stunning exhibit at the McMillan Art Centre (MAC) in Parksville called Xpey’—a celebration of our wetlands. Chris’s glass medium lily pads with Coho Salmon fry hidden below capture the magic of underwater life, while Deb’s photographic screens of Hamilton Marsh immerse viewers in the region’s natural beauty. This exhibit highlights how art can inspire deeper respect for the delicate ecosystems that surround us—and how volunteers bring their diverse talents together for a common cause.

Running alongside the art exhibit was ETHOS, another interactive display at the MAC. Community groups and NGOs, including MVIHES, set up stations to show how we’re protecting our wetlands and why everyone should care. Our contribution was a Pond Critters Tank, where visitors could observe typical insects and invertebrates found in local marshes, ponds, and wetlands. From predation to mating to the occasional cannibalism, there was plenty of drama happening in that tank! It was a huge hit with curious onlookers, especially kids who loved getting up close to water bugs.

Many dedicated folks kept the Pond Critters Tank lively. Sue Wilson (Friends of Shelly Creek Park) oversaw the display alongside other MVIHES and Arrowsmith Naturalists volunteers. Special thanks go out to Terry Bajenko, Sally Soanes, Jeannie Diewold, Janet McManus, Catherine Watson, Larysa Bilous, Chris Smith, Jane Murray-Smith, Shelley Goertzen, Pete Law, Barb Riordan, Ross Peterson, and our Team Leader Maggie Estok, who set up the display with her son Ralegh. They made sure we had a constant supply of aquatic critters, assisted by Meghan MacIsaac (North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre), Jeannie Diewold (Arrowsmith Naturalists), Carl Rathburn, Pete Law, Craig Wightman, and Denis Cote.

We also took our traveling Pond Critters Tank to Beach Day in Qualicum Beach on July 21, where families and beachgoers learned about the importance of aquatic insects. Volunteers Kathy Miller, Liz Campbell, and Barb Riordan staffed the display and answered questions. Watching community members spark an interest in the hidden world beneath our waters was a fantastic reward for everyone involved.

Meanwhile, another group of volunteers continued our marine debris survey at Rathtrevor Beach on July 16. Under the guidance of Jacob Frankel from the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute, we surveyed a 100-meter stretch of beach for plastic debris—both macro (larger than 20 mm) and micro (under 20 mm). We’re thrilled to report that we found only a handful of macroplastics and no microplastics. This data goes into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database, helping researchers track global marine pollution. Huge thanks to our volunteers Yana Maltais, Martin Yeo, Liz Campbell, Bob Williams, and Barb Riordan for helping keep our shorelines pristine.

 All these projects showcase the diversity of volunteer experiences at MVIHES—from hands-on fieldwork rescuing salmon and studying pond critters to educational outreach at events and artistic expressions of conservation. Volunteering is about more than just filling a role; it’s about joining a community of passionate individuals who value our local habitats and want to protect them for future generations.

If you’re feeling inspired by these stories, consider joining our volunteer family. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill sets. You could assist with fish fry rescues, analyze water samples, help with special events, or even tap into your creative side to help us spread the conservation message. Whether you have a couple of hours per month or want to dive in full-force, there’s a place for you at MVIHES.

Together, we can continue making an impact—protecting our salmon fry, nurturing our wetlands, and keeping our beaches clean. Plus, you’ll get to meet like-minded individuals, learn new skills, and experience the thrill of making a real difference in our community. If you’d like to know more, head to our website or come out to one of our events. We look forward to welcoming the next wave of passionate volunteers ready to carry our mission forward.

Are you ready to volunteer with MVIHES? Join us, and be part of the story!