In August of 2014, high temperatures and low oxygen levels in the waters of Brydon Lagoon resulted in thousands of fish resting dead on the surface and decomposing over a long weekend.
While members of the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) cleaned up the mess, word was that local politicians were considering paving over the lagoon for development of a trailer park instead.
That鈥檚 when Lilianne Fuller, a frequent visitor to the lagoon, joined the 91原创 Field Naturalists (LFN).
鈥淭o me, that was frightening,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt we really had to save Brydon Lagoon.鈥�
After speaking with LFN founder, the late Rhys Griffiths, club members banded together to hold a public awareness day and led a parade of 40 people to spread their message of saving Brydon Lagoon.
It wasn鈥檛 long before aeration fountains 鈥� which pump water into the air, creating small droplets to collect oxygen and fall back into the water 鈥� were repaired, and an underwater bubbling system was installed.
91原创 City formed a Brydon Lagoon task force, a subcommittee of the City parks environment and recreation committee (PERC), which submitted a report of recommendations addressing the safety of ducklings and humans in 2016 鈥� which were acted upon.
The bubblers proved to work well when tested at extreme temperatures in 2021 during the heat domes 鈥� no fish were killed thanks to the bubblers keeping oxygen levels high enough for fish survival.
鈥淭his is why we call it 鈥楾he Jewel of 91原创 City鈥� in our book, because it really is a jewel,鈥� commented Fuller.
To commemorate the 91原创 Field Naturalists 50 years of conservation efforts, members worked together with local experts in environment and biology to write and create their book On the Trail: 50 Years of Engaging with Nature.
鈥淭his is more than a history book, it鈥檚 a human interest book that contains a lot of history鈥� We really want people to know we what have, and we have to preserve it and keep it 鈥� once it鈥檚 gone, it鈥檚 gone,鈥� Fuller said.
She also refers to the book as a call to action for young people.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e the ones who are going to make the difference in global warming. The climate crisis is all around us, we see it happening all the time. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e thinking this book could be a call to action to young people, they can see that it is possible, as long as you鈥檙e persistent and keep working towards it,鈥� Fuller said.
鈥淥ur book demonstrates a lot of the work that we did, that we were able to preserve, for example like Brydon Lagoon.鈥�
This is also why copies of the book will be donated to local middle and high schools, she added. It will also be available as an ebook.
While the book is available for sale now, by contacting Fuller at lilianne101@shaw.ca or 604-533-0638, an official book launch is scheduled at the 91原创 City library on Saturday, Dec. 9.
The launch starts at 2 p.m. and will have members of the LFN鈥檚 book committee present for a book signing.
Copies of the book will also be available to borrow at the 91原创 City library, located at 20339 Douglas Cres.
Anyone interested in joining the LFN, can attend a meeting held on the third Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at the 91原创 Community Music School.
People can learn more at .
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