Before urbanization, many creeks and rivers ran across the land that would be Vancouver as we know it as. These waterways were home to wide varieties of plants and wildlife, as well as hosts for the annual salmon run. As Vancouver expanded, many of these waterways vanished over time to make way for urban development. What used to be fluorishing riparian ecosystems have been reduced to underground culverts of flowing water. The creeks and rivers that we see today represent only a small fraction of them that were originally present about a hundred years ago. Still Creek is one of the most promiment of the surviving creeks in the Lower Mainland, albeit portions of it still runs underground.
Here is a representation of existing versus lost waterways:
Municipal and community efforts have began in attempt to restore some of the lost streams, with particular interest invested with Still Creek. Along Still Creek, restoration projects include the removal of invasive species and the replanting of native vegetation, or naturalizing the creek banks by removing surrounding concrete to give them a more "natural" look. Improved stormwater drainage management has also increased the water quality of Still Creek.
Positive results reflected the restoration effort. Cutthroat trout, a vulnerable species of fish from Still Creek, have increased in numbers over the years. In November 2012, chum salmon have been spotted migrating up Still Creek to spawn ‒ it was previously thought that such phenomenon would never occur again since the initial deterioration of Still Creek.
The cache is large enough that two standard travel bugs would be able to fit without cramming. Please place the cache back exactly as it was found.
Picture taken at the cache zone:
Congratulations to Scruffster for being the first to find! :)