Maple Ridge Rivers Day draws a record crowd of about 700

Fewer than six northern spotted owls remain in the wild in B.C., making the species one of Canada’s most endangered, according to the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program. The non-profit was among the organizations at Rivers Day in Allco Park on Sunday, Sept. 27. About 700 people came to celebrate the rivers of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows and visit 25 exhibitors and community partners offering hands-on activities about local rivers, wildlife, forests and the watershed.

Program educator Rachel Barkman brought Small Eyes, a 15-year-old female northern spotted owl born with bilateral microphthalmia, which left her eyes small and poorly developed. Barkman told visitors that northern spotted owls live to 15 in the wild, while captive birds can live to 25. Her organization works to restore the B.C. population through conservation breeding and release. More than 300,000 hectares of protected old-growth forest in the province are available for owl releases, she said.

Kevin Orr, a wildlife educator with West Coast Exoctics, brought Caramel, a 10-year-old common boa constrictor, a fat-tailed gecko, a tortoise and other animals for children and adults to hold and interact with. Five-year-old Theoren got to hold Caramel and the gecko. His father, Corvin Astraeus, said Theoren loves reptiles and they visit the Vancouver aquarium every two to three weeks to see lizards. Ocean Wise bilingual educator Marie Spencer spoke about the ocean and the connections salmon have with it and other forest ecosystems.

The Backroad Cruisers, Victor Cronley and Peter James, took the stage in the afternoon with popular cover songs that got people dancing. Lisa Rae performed earlier in the day. The Maple Ridge Lions Club offered a hotdog lunch by donation, and free salmon sugar cookies went to the first 100 attendees. Sea Star Faces provided face painting, local author Tiffany Stone read stories with snakes, Click & Clown made biodegradable balloon animals, and carnival games were available for families.

Sophie Sparrow of the Alouette River Management Society, which hosted the event, said the day depended on more than 40 volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and community partners who donated their time, resources and expertise. She said attendance at Rivers Day was a record this year. Sparrow thanked everyone who attended, volunteered, exhibited, sponsored, supported and celebrated, saying it was a wonderful day of community connection and a reminder of how much people care about the South Alouette River and their shared watershed.