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Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP)

Enhance salmon habitats with Surrey's Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP).

Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) crew members can be found in the community every year from April to November educating businesses and community members on salmon stewardship while employing local youth to enhance Surrey's fish habitat.

SHaRP's goal is to protect and improve Surrey's stream habitats as our city grows and develops. SHaRP is a City of Surrey initiative that began in 1996 and has involved over 700 people in active stream restoration works. In 2024, SHaRP is celebrating its 29th season of stewardship!

    Employment Opportunities with SHaRP

    If you’re a post-secondary or high school student, you can apply to be a SHaRP Team Leader or a SHaRP Crew Member!

    Job opportunities are available for post-secondary students from the end of April to the end of August. Job opportunities for Surrey high school students are available for July and August. For both roles there are even opportunities to continue working part-time in the fall. Job requirements include the ability to conduct physical activities, effectively communicate with others, and work within a team.

    Student activities include:

    • Invasive plant removal and riparian planting
    • Instream restoration and enhancement
    • Water quality testing
    • Agricultural stream enhancement
    • Educating businesses and industries on how to protect water quality
    • Elementary and secondary school class presentations and activities
    • Attending community events and hosting activities

    Crew Member Positions

    The application period for SHaRP Crew Member positions is now closed. Applications for the 2024 season will open on May 1, 2024.

    Every year we hire Surrey high school students who are passionate about the outdoors and eager to share their environmental interests with the community. We select candidates based on experience and their enthusiasm for Surrey's environment. Surrey students currently in Grades 10, 11 and 12 can apply.

    Team Leader Positions

    The application period for the 2024 SHaRP Team Leader positions is now open and will close on February 10, 2024.

    Team leader positions are geared towards post-secondary students interested in hands-on environmental work. The work term is May to August, with opportunities to work into the fall season. 

    Interested in applying? Email your cover letter and resume to sharpapplications@gmail.com.

    Positions:

    “It feels great when people come to our tent who never knew about Surrey’s salmon habitats but are eager to learn. It feels great to know that you made a difference.” – Crew Member

    How SHaRP Helps Surrey Communities

    SHaRP members are regularly involved in:

    • Watershed enhancement projects involving slope stabilization using bioengineering techniques, debris removal, riparian planting, invasive plant species removal, erosion protection, and other ways to enhance fish habitat.
    • Community education outreach programs at schools, daycares, community events, libraries, and parks. The team is out regularly engaging residents about Surrey's natural heritage and what they can do to preserve fish and fish habitat.
    • Agricultural stewardship projects and partnerships with the farming community to encourage agricultural land management practices that are also fish friendly.
    • Industrial education outreach to help prevent storm drain pollution and to celebrate all the great efforts businesses are making toward protecting sensitive stream habitats.
    • Media and public relations.
    • Hosting various community events and activities.
    sharp members in stream bed placing stones
    a sharp member showing a child a salmon illustration
    a sharp member doing a craft with several children
    a sharp worker cutting invasive species and putting them in a bucket
    sharp members gather as someone shows a plant

    SHaRP Funders

    The City of Surrey provides base program funding to ensure SHaRP operates each year, as it is committed to the positive work that SHaRP accomplishes each year. We also get tremendous support for the program through additional funding support received through external organizations. SHaRP couldn't be as successful without this support. To our funders, we thank you!

    In addition to the funding partners, SHaRP students team up with local community groups on initiatives like riparian plantings, instream debris removal, community education, instream habitat complexing, and invasive plant species removal projects.

    2024 Funders

    Funders for 2024 are to be determined.

    2023 Funders

    • Eco Canada

    • White Rock Elementary – Student Fundraiser Contribution

    • Organic Ocean

    Contact

    The Engineering Department of the City of Surrey manages the contract with an outside consultant retained to oversee the management of the students involved in the program each year. Dillon Consulting has been retained to carry out the SHaRP program since 1996.

    For more information about SHaRP, email salmontracks@surrey.ca or call 604-591-4383. You can also find SHaRP on Facebook and YouTube.

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