About the new park land on Lyall Creek:

The Saturna Parks and Recreation commission purchased Lot # 3 on the west side of East Point Road. This property is unique because the salt water estuary meets the fresh water from Lyall Creek within the property's boundary. This estuary is an ecologically significant area and the Parks Commission wishes to protect it as part of their Community Parks Master Plan. Parks Canada has acquired most of the Lyall Creek watershed and basin to the east of East Point Road as part of the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy. The purchase of Lot # 3 will add to the further preservation of the Lyall Creek watershed and will provide opportunities for the public and the community to enjoy and learn about the creek environment.

About the Salmon Restoration Project:

The purchase of Lot # 3 would also tie into the work of the Salmon Restoration Project. This non-profit volunteer organization was established in 1992 in conjunction with the Saturna Elementary School to re-establish Chum salmon populations in Lyall Creek. Historically there have been salmon in Lyall Creek but they have since disappeared, possibly due to human interference with their habitat. Chum salmon started returning to Lyall Creek in 1996 and in 2001 the largest number of salmon returned to the creek since the project began.

Saturna is fortunate to have one of the few creeks in the Gulf Islands that offers fish habitat. Along with the Chum salmon, the creek is also home to a few Coho and a healthy population of Sea Run Cut Throat trout.