It may have been rainy and muddy, but only heavy winds or lightning will stop Bring Back the Salmon (BBTS) program staff from releasing salmon fry.
As a staff member who spends a lot of time behind a desk, I welcomed the opportunity to take a break and reconnect with the purpose of what I call “indoor” work. Outfitted in hip waders, raincoats, and extra socks, our team of staff and volunteers embraced the rain, hauling bags of lively fry down to the water, before setting them free in Duffins Creek.
While walking through the trails with my bags of fry, I thought about their journey from hatchery to habitat, and all the work and support it takes to raise these fish. From the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) staff raising fish at the hatchery, the funding provided by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and the volunteers dedicating their time to conservation, we all play a vital role in ecosystem health.
I want to thank our BBTS team for taking me on a field trip.
I encourage anyone interested in volunteering to get out there. It was such an educational day, learning about the history of Atlantic salmon, our impact on their habitats, and many other interesting facts.
Did you know that every Atlantic salmon has a unique freckle pattern? I didn’t!
You can help salmon restoration and other OFAH conservation work in Ontario: www.ofahfoundation.org/about/make-a-donation
Originally published in the August 2025 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
