Volunteer salmon restoration and regeneration projects throughout the Powell River and Desolation Sound areas will be getting much needed financial support with proceeds from this year’s Powell River Annual Gala Dinner and Auction being held on Saturday, October 22nd, at Dwight Hall.
The dinner is one of many fundraising events hosted by Pacific Salmon Foundation in partnership with community groups across the province to raise funds for local salmon projects through the Community Salmon Program. The success of these events is due to the dedication of local volunteer organizing committees and generous participation of local businesses, donors and sponsors.
In the spring of this year, two volunteer groups in the Powell River area benefitted from the program. Powell River Salmon Society and Desolation Sound Salmon Enhancement Society received grants totalling $33,702 to sustain Pacific salmon populations and habitats.
Powell River Salmon Society’s project was to repair and upgrade the aging brood fence in Lang Creek. The fence was making it unsafe for both salmon swimming through the channel and volunteers doing the annual count. With funding from the program, the project was carried out this summer during the migration period by society staff and volunteers, as well as contractors.
“We now have a brood fence that’s fish-friendly and platforms that are safe for volunteers who come out faithfully each year to count and assess the stock,” explains George Illes, vice-president of the society and chair of the dinner committee. “The better information we have about the health of the stock, the better we can manage and sustain the health of Pacific salmon.”
Since 1995, the foundation has made grants totalling $241,374 in the Powell River area with a total impact of $1.9 million, including local fundraising and in-kind donations.
The dinner and auction begins at 5:30 pm with a silent auction and reception, followed by dinner at 7 pm and a live auction at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and are available at Marine Traders and Powell River Outdoors.
