Local salmon hatchery provided with matching grant opportunity
Matching donations must be raised by mid-September
The Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society (BIMES) has been presented with a tremendous opportunity from Imperial to double the dollars raised to complete the first phase of the Mossom Creek Hatchery rebuild project. The fire that destroyed the hatchery building in December 2013 put many longstanding programs in jeopardy. Imperial has offered to match all donations, up to a total of $75,000, until September 15, 2014. If BIMES’ fundraising goals are met, four decades of volunteer stewardship work will continue to benefit the Mossom Creek Watershed and the Burrard Inlet area.
“This one-time matching fund opportunity of $75,000, generously provided by Imperial, will greatly enhance our efforts to complete phase one of the rebuild plan,” said Ruth Foster, BIMES Founder and Director. “With additional help from the community, which has been very supportive throughout our history, we can ensure that our programming and enhancement activities continue.”
The fund has the potential to help double local community contributions to the Mossom Creek Hatchery rebuild project and help BIMES provide environmental education sooner than originally expected.
“We are committed to communities where we operate and to providing support for environmental initiatives in these communities,” said Tom Huffaker, president of the Imperial Foundation. “The Mossom Creek Hatchery has a history of important work in the region and we look forward to seeing it fully operational again after the rebuilding is complete.”
BIMES has a longstanding relationship with Imperial, who has supported ongoing stewardship and education efforts in the Port Moody area for the past four decades. This includes Imperial providing access to the Mossom Creek Hatchery and Burrard Inlet sea pen, and support of various projects such as stream enhancement work on Mossom Creek, Schoolhouse Creek North, and Ioco Creek.
Tax-deductible donations can be made online at http://www.mossomcreek.org or by sending a cheque to Mossom Creek Hatchery, 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody, BC, V3H 2V7. Please make cheque payable to “Port Moody Foundation” with “Mossom Creek Hatchery” in the memo line.
About BIMES
Established in 1976, the Mossom Creek Hatchery site is recognized as the longest running community hatchery in the Salmonid Enhancement Program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society (BIMES) is a 100% volunteer-run organization that focuses on education and stewardship activities in the Burrard Inlet area. BIMES manages
the Mossom Creek site and has developed programming to support hundreds of students and community members each year through hands on learning activities that take place on site, in the watershed, and in “stream to sea” programs around the Burrard Inlet. More information about BIMES and the Mossom Creek Hatchery & Education Centre can be found at www.mossomcreek.org.
About Imperial
After more than a century, Imperial continues to be an industry leader in the responsible development of Canada’s energy resources. We are focused on applying technology and innovation to meet global energy demand in a safe, reliable and environmentally sound manner. As Canada’s largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, a key petrochemical producer and a leading fuels marketer from coast to coast, our company remains committed to the highest standards across all areas of our business.
Media Contact:
Tracy Green
Fundraising Director
Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society
(604) 787-9758
Killeen Kelly
Media Relations
Imperial
(403) 766-1720
