The Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) recently hosted their annual Sturgeon Conservation Challenge Gala Awards Dinner & Auction, and Ricks Heart Foundation was honoured to donate a prize for the auction. This event not only celebrates FRSCS’s significant contributions towards the conservation of Fraser River White Sturgeon but also raises critical funds to sustain these initiatives.
Founded in 1997, FRSCS is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild White Sturgeon, the largest and oldest species of freshwater fish in North America. Their volunteer-driven monitoring and assessment program gathers crucial data essential for managing the health and sustainability of this prehistoric species. With a collaborative approach that unites leaders from various sectors, including government, First Nations, commercial and recreational fishing, research and education, FRSCS works to address the issues that sturgeon are facing so that we can protect this iconic species and its habitat for future generations.
The Keeping the Legend Alive! Challenge is a great initiative by FRSCS that brings together enthusiasts to collect vital data through some friendly competition. This year 16 Challenge Teams fishing from August 2023 through May 2024 competed for prizes, and in the process collected data from 307 sturgeons, applying 136 new tags.
To celebrate the success of this year’s challenge, FRSCS held a Gala Awards Dinner & Auction. This event engaged over 250 people, including participants, Gala guests and online bidders, helping to spread the important story of sturgeon conservation. During the gala, awards were presented to challenge participants, community leaders, and volunteers for their ongoing efforts in sturgeon conservation, highlighting all of the work that was done this year by the community.
Rick’s Heart Foundation is committed to supporting local communities in BC. Be it through our Heart For Music program’s work to improve the lives of seniors living in care homes, or supporting other charities like Backpack Buddies and Soap For Hope with sponsorship, shipping, and fundraising, we endeavor to reach those marginalized by poverty, addiction, personal crises, and isolation. All of our efforts are done in an attempt to bridge the gap to a stable, healthy and happier future for our community.
Initiatives like the Keeping the Legend Alive! Challenge are essential to ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for the environment and communities here in BC. Rick’s Heart Foundation strongly believes in this mission and are proud to have contributed to this event in the past. For this year’s auction we donated a music bundle which included an Amazon tablet, Bluetooth speaker, Bluetooth headphones, chocolate, and a Heart For Music tote bag. Overall the event was a resounding success, raising over $110,000 in net proceeds, 100% of which will go towards supporting the conservation of White Sturgeon.
Despite challenges highlighted by recent population estimates, there is hope for the Fraser River White Sturgeon’s future. Initiatives like the Keeping the Legend Alive! Challenge and the work done by FRSCS are crucial, which is why we’re so proud to have been able to contribute to this year’s event, and look forward to providing continued support and awareness for the protection of this ancient creature.
For more information on how you can support FRSCS and their conservation efforts, visit their website.
