Breathe in … breathe out … you are about to enter the magical world of Stoney Creek, – a precious jewel in the midst of Burnaby – just steps away from the bustling residential area of Lougheed Town Center.Turn that cell phone off – and instead – for a few brief moments, open your eyes to the wonders around you and tune your ears into the sounds of the forest. Look up. Look down. Get down – see, I mean really see …. Shhhhh …. listen … do you hear them? “chickadee dee dee … chickadee dee dee” – “zreeee ….zreeee”- “vreep … vreep” The sounds of the forest are all around you. Enjoy the rhythm of this life – un-rushed … refocus.
The area you are standing in is part of the Brunette River Watershed. It is home to many native plants and insects, over 60 different bird species, six species of salmon: coho, chum, pink, steelhead, and both resident and sea-run cutthroat, and numerous mammals including: squirrels, raccoons, bears, coyotes and deer. The air is fresher here – the sounds of the creek relaxing and the colours and scents of the woods soothing. Stoney Creek has it humble beginning on Burnaby Mountain. It flows down the forested slopes, through culverts, along side residential properties, under the highway and meets up with the Brunette River, important habitat to the endangered Nooksack Dace, and then meshes with the mighty Fraser
Have I piqued your interest? Would you like to explore? The trails can be accessed from many points including a few steps north of Rathburn Drive and North Road in Coquitlam and at Beaverbrook Cr. and Beaverbrook Dr. in Burnaby. Bring your camera, bring your binoculars, bring a friend. This is home to many – you will be but a visitor. So …. like a precious jewel treasure Stoney Creek, admire its beauty, tread lightly, protect it.Would you like to be a part of this world? Check out our volunteer tab to see how you can get involved. For membership information email: stoneycreek [at] handshake [dot] ca.
Photos: blackcapped chickadee by Violet Chen, salmonberry by Alan James, slug by Wendy Snyder