Wayne White receives his BC Achievement Community Award in May 2022 . Congratuations Wayne! Link to newspaper article here:
The Tsolum River Restoration Society works throughout the year on a range of projects and has an influential community presence in the Comox Valley and beyond. Click the links below for press releases, articles, and videos featuring the TRRS.
CHEK TV clip on ongoing drought 2022
CHEK TV clip on Summer drought 2022
Article in Land Trust Alliance of BC, November 2022
Blog post to Freshwater Alliance
Article In Narwhal on East Van. Island Drought 2021
Article in Comox Valley Record, September 8, 2021 about Low Flows and Pink Die off
Article in Comox Valley Record, June 10, 2021 about Smolt Rescuing 2021
Article in Comox Valley Record, May 27, 2020 E-edition about Fry Rescuing Operation
Mine site article in Narwhal Magazine, December, 2019.
Pacific Salmon Foundation contributes to Tsolum Project July, 2019.
Tsolum River AGM on March 3, 2018....
February 18, 2018 article about upcoming AGM and Jim Irvine, guest speaker from DFO.
Tsolum River Salmon Counts in...
November 23, 2017 Comox Valley Record Article published in e-edition.
Tsolum River Restoration Society wins Keep it Living Award- Comox Valley Record
February 28, 2017.
Don Castleden, Chair of Project Watershed's Estuary Working Group presented the 2017 annual Keeping it Living Award to TRRS at the AGM on February 18th, 2017. A painting of the Courtenay Estuary by Bev Byerley will be on display at the TRRS office in TinTown for a year in recognition of our work.
Tsolum River Restoration Society reflects on 2015 achievements - Comox Valley Record
February 10, 2016
This article outlines the achievements and successful projects by the TRRS in 2015. It notes the record Pink Salmon returns, as high as any historical records; the Babcock Project, to protect private property, enhance fish habitat, and mitigate siltation downstream; and the Tsolum River Recovery Plan, which outlines the organization's plans for the future.
Tsolum River Restoration Society offers Watershed Walk - Comox Valley Record
September 25, 2016
To celebrate World Rivers Day, the TRRS is hosting a river walk on Towhee Creek and the Tsolum River followed by an all ages scavenger hunt.
Wild Pink Salmon returning to Courtenay’s Tsolum River - Chek News
September 23, 2015
President Wayne White talks to Chek News about the history of the Tsolum River and the successes seen in 2015. Despite past degradation, thanks to the work of local organizations, 2015 saw record Pink Salmon returns of over 125,000.
Salmon back in the Tsolum River - CBC Radio
August, 2015
President Wayne White is interviewed by Gregor Craigie with On the Island on CBC Radio Victoria. They discuss the history of the Tsolum River, its return to health, and the record breaking Pink Salmon returns of 2015.
Volunteers scoop up fish from B.C. streams hit hard by drought - CTV News
July 17, 2015
President Wayne White and Project Coordinator Angela Spooner are interviewed while salvaging fish from Finlay Creek. Both detail the summer threats to fry and how to aid them. If you are concerned about fry trapped in isolated pools in tributaries to the Tsolum, please contact tsolumriver@shaw.ca.
Drought conditions drying up our rivers - Comox Valley Record
July 02, 2015
Summer 2015 featured low water levels in local watersheds and high temperatures which together have jeopardized the Tsolum River's health, and threatened the success of the fry inhabiting it, and its tributaries. Project Co-ordinator Angela Spooner shared tips on how community members can mitigate damage in the river caused by these summer extremes.
Restoring the Tsolum River - CBC Radio
August 14, 2014
Former Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard speaks with On the Island on CBC Radio Victoria about the Mount Polley mine tailings pond spill. Jack speaks to the similarities and differences between the Mount Polley spill and the acid mine drainage leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine into the Tsolum River.
Lessons learned from the Tsolum River mine spill - CBC Radio
August 13, 2014
Daybreak Kamloops on CBC Radio Kamloops speaks with former Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard about the Mount Polley mine tailings pond spill. They speak about possible solutions based on knowledge acquired from the work done sealing the Mount Washington Copper Mine.
A lasting legacy: The man who helped save the Tsolum River - Times Colonist
October 25, 2013
This article recognizes the importance of John Deniseger's role in the Tsolum River's restoration. In the Fall of 2013 the Tsolum River welcomed back its best run of Pink Salmon since 1958. Past Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard attributes the success of the Tsolum to a partnership between the TRRS, government, and private organizations. This collaboration was made possible by John Deniseger who received the Premier Award for his work with the Ministry of the Environment.
Tsolum Closed to Fishing - Comox Valley Record
October 21, 2013
Despite the increase in Pink, Coho, and Trout, levels were not large enough to sustain fishing and the TRRS issued a warning against fishing in the Tsolum River to protect the future generations of fish. Poaching was punishable with large fines issued by the BC Conservation Office. Fishing is banned until the river's health increases after years of degradation from toxic leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine and historical logging.
'Healthy' pink salmon return in Courtenay-area Tsolum River pleases enhancement group - Times Colonist
September 30, 2013
In 2013, the Tsolum saw a pink salmon return of 60,000. At the time, this was the best run since 1958, prior to the toxic leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine. Because of these increased numbers, the TRRS did not use the hatchery to enhance the odd-year run as a step towards a natural return.
Copper mine no longer polluting Tsolum River - Comox Valley Record
February 12, 2013
After confirmation in 2012 that the Mount Washignton mine site was no longer contaminating the Tsolum River with acid drainage, the TRRS created a plan to move forward. The new plan emphasized Fish, Flows, and Future Generations (see our website's 'Home' page for more information).
Top mine restoration award for Tsolum River Partnership - Comox Valley Echo
September 25, 2012
In 2003 the TRRS created the Tsolum River Partnership. This partnership included community volunteers, the First Nations, private organizations, and the government. Together they restored the Mount Washington Copper Mine site and saved the Tsolum River. The Tsolum River Partnership won the top provincial award for mine restoration.
How the Coho returned to the Tsolum River - The Globe and Mail
March 06, 2011
This article details the history of the Mount Washington Copper Mine and the efforts to remediate the environmental damages it created. For over 40 years the Tsolum River was considered toxic due to acid drainage from the mine site, however, after the success of the Tsolum River Partnership fish thought to be extinct from the river reappeared and 1,000 Coho returned to spawn.
Province to clean up abandoned Vancouver Island copper mine - CBC News
April 14, 2008
The B.C. government announced plans to clean up the abandoned Mount Washington mine to improve water quality and fish habitat. The project to remedy the mine (that only operated for three years in the 1960s) was scheduled to be finished in 2010 with a budget of $4.5 million. The government estimated the project would yield $2.7 million annually to the community's economy.
CHEK TV clip on ongoing drought 2022
CHEK TV clip on Summer drought 2022
Article in Land Trust Alliance of BC, November 2022
Blog post to Freshwater Alliance
Article In Narwhal on East Van. Island Drought 2021
Article in Comox Valley Record, September 8, 2021 about Low Flows and Pink Die off
Article in Comox Valley Record, June 10, 2021 about Smolt Rescuing 2021
Article in Comox Valley Record, May 27, 2020 E-edition about Fry Rescuing Operation
Mine site article in Narwhal Magazine, December, 2019.
Pacific Salmon Foundation contributes to Tsolum Project July, 2019.
Tsolum River AGM on March 3, 2018....
February 18, 2018 article about upcoming AGM and Jim Irvine, guest speaker from DFO.
Tsolum River Salmon Counts in...
November 23, 2017 Comox Valley Record Article published in e-edition.
Tsolum River Restoration Society wins Keep it Living Award- Comox Valley Record
February 28, 2017.
Don Castleden, Chair of Project Watershed's Estuary Working Group presented the 2017 annual Keeping it Living Award to TRRS at the AGM on February 18th, 2017. A painting of the Courtenay Estuary by Bev Byerley will be on display at the TRRS office in TinTown for a year in recognition of our work.
Tsolum River Restoration Society reflects on 2015 achievements - Comox Valley Record
February 10, 2016
This article outlines the achievements and successful projects by the TRRS in 2015. It notes the record Pink Salmon returns, as high as any historical records; the Babcock Project, to protect private property, enhance fish habitat, and mitigate siltation downstream; and the Tsolum River Recovery Plan, which outlines the organization's plans for the future.
Tsolum River Restoration Society offers Watershed Walk - Comox Valley Record
September 25, 2016
To celebrate World Rivers Day, the TRRS is hosting a river walk on Towhee Creek and the Tsolum River followed by an all ages scavenger hunt.
Wild Pink Salmon returning to Courtenay’s Tsolum River - Chek News
September 23, 2015
President Wayne White talks to Chek News about the history of the Tsolum River and the successes seen in 2015. Despite past degradation, thanks to the work of local organizations, 2015 saw record Pink Salmon returns of over 125,000.
Salmon back in the Tsolum River - CBC Radio
August, 2015
President Wayne White is interviewed by Gregor Craigie with On the Island on CBC Radio Victoria. They discuss the history of the Tsolum River, its return to health, and the record breaking Pink Salmon returns of 2015.
Volunteers scoop up fish from B.C. streams hit hard by drought - CTV News
July 17, 2015
President Wayne White and Project Coordinator Angela Spooner are interviewed while salvaging fish from Finlay Creek. Both detail the summer threats to fry and how to aid them. If you are concerned about fry trapped in isolated pools in tributaries to the Tsolum, please contact tsolumriver@shaw.ca.
Drought conditions drying up our rivers - Comox Valley Record
July 02, 2015
Summer 2015 featured low water levels in local watersheds and high temperatures which together have jeopardized the Tsolum River's health, and threatened the success of the fry inhabiting it, and its tributaries. Project Co-ordinator Angela Spooner shared tips on how community members can mitigate damage in the river caused by these summer extremes.
Restoring the Tsolum River - CBC Radio
August 14, 2014
Former Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard speaks with On the Island on CBC Radio Victoria about the Mount Polley mine tailings pond spill. Jack speaks to the similarities and differences between the Mount Polley spill and the acid mine drainage leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine into the Tsolum River.
Lessons learned from the Tsolum River mine spill - CBC Radio
August 13, 2014
Daybreak Kamloops on CBC Radio Kamloops speaks with former Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard about the Mount Polley mine tailings pond spill. They speak about possible solutions based on knowledge acquired from the work done sealing the Mount Washington Copper Mine.
A lasting legacy: The man who helped save the Tsolum River - Times Colonist
October 25, 2013
This article recognizes the importance of John Deniseger's role in the Tsolum River's restoration. In the Fall of 2013 the Tsolum River welcomed back its best run of Pink Salmon since 1958. Past Project Co-ordinator Jack Minard attributes the success of the Tsolum to a partnership between the TRRS, government, and private organizations. This collaboration was made possible by John Deniseger who received the Premier Award for his work with the Ministry of the Environment.
Tsolum Closed to Fishing - Comox Valley Record
October 21, 2013
Despite the increase in Pink, Coho, and Trout, levels were not large enough to sustain fishing and the TRRS issued a warning against fishing in the Tsolum River to protect the future generations of fish. Poaching was punishable with large fines issued by the BC Conservation Office. Fishing is banned until the river's health increases after years of degradation from toxic leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine and historical logging.
'Healthy' pink salmon return in Courtenay-area Tsolum River pleases enhancement group - Times Colonist
September 30, 2013
In 2013, the Tsolum saw a pink salmon return of 60,000. At the time, this was the best run since 1958, prior to the toxic leaching from the Mount Washington Copper Mine. Because of these increased numbers, the TRRS did not use the hatchery to enhance the odd-year run as a step towards a natural return.
Copper mine no longer polluting Tsolum River - Comox Valley Record
February 12, 2013
After confirmation in 2012 that the Mount Washignton mine site was no longer contaminating the Tsolum River with acid drainage, the TRRS created a plan to move forward. The new plan emphasized Fish, Flows, and Future Generations (see our website's 'Home' page for more information).
Top mine restoration award for Tsolum River Partnership - Comox Valley Echo
September 25, 2012
In 2003 the TRRS created the Tsolum River Partnership. This partnership included community volunteers, the First Nations, private organizations, and the government. Together they restored the Mount Washington Copper Mine site and saved the Tsolum River. The Tsolum River Partnership won the top provincial award for mine restoration.
How the Coho returned to the Tsolum River - The Globe and Mail
March 06, 2011
This article details the history of the Mount Washington Copper Mine and the efforts to remediate the environmental damages it created. For over 40 years the Tsolum River was considered toxic due to acid drainage from the mine site, however, after the success of the Tsolum River Partnership fish thought to be extinct from the river reappeared and 1,000 Coho returned to spawn.
Province to clean up abandoned Vancouver Island copper mine - CBC News
April 14, 2008
The B.C. government announced plans to clean up the abandoned Mount Washington mine to improve water quality and fish habitat. The project to remedy the mine (that only operated for three years in the 1960s) was scheduled to be finished in 2010 with a budget of $4.5 million. The government estimated the project would yield $2.7 million annually to the community's economy.