Qualicum Beach, British Columbia – The eleventh annual BC Rivers Day Celebration in the Qualicum Beach Salmon Forest this Sunday, September 26, has seen growth worldwide in recognition of the importance of our rivers so that events being held around the world this Sunday are now in celebration of World Rivers Day. The Wilderness Committee, Mid Island Chapter will lead its annual guided tour to the 3rd tallest Sitka Spruce Tree in Canada along the salmon rich banks of the Little Qualicum River.“The importance of our rivers, water, salmon, wildlife, recreation opportunities and breathtaking scenery can only be experienced through close encounters of the kind when people are taken into these wilderness areas and see how the web of life creates the miracle of life, which many call salmon,’ explains Annette Tanner, Wilderness Committee spokesperson.

“The Qualicum Beach Salmon Forest, an unprotected part of the Little Qualicum River Floodplain, gives life to one of the richest and most popular salmon recreation fisheries on east Vancouver Island, as well as contributing to the commercial fishery, as the river supports all seven species of salmonids with hundreds of thousand salmon spawning in the spawning channels upstream,” Tanner continues. “We are trying to protect this sensitive floodplain forest for future communities, as salmon have been an important part of our past and must continue to be part of our future.”

“The river will be full of Chinook and people may get splashed as they tour the forest,” says Tanner. It is an easy level walk with good comfortable shoes. The displays and information tables start at 12:00 noon, with the Blessing of the Salmon at 12:45 pm just before the tour which starts at 1:00 pm.

Location: Qualicum Beach, Lot 10- Look for signs and pink salmon at corner of Kinkade and the Old Island Highway. Info: 250 752-6585.

For more information contact

Annette Tanner 250 752-6585, cell 250 240-7470