ARMS to host fundraiser to help families impacted by flooding

Alouette River Management Society in Maple Ridge is hosting a month-long contest as a fundraiser for families impacted by the flooding in 2021.

The society has partnered with UBC’s Wild and Immersive to host the first Watercourse Warrior Challenge. The Watercourse Warrior Challenge is a virtual distance challenge where people can walk, run, bike, hike, ride, paddle, or wheel any or all the challenges, while exploring the Alouette Watershed or the participants’ own local watercourse, explained Alex Holmes of the society.

“In honour of families day, ARMS is hosting this challenge as a fundraiser to help families in need that have been impacted from the flooding events in late 2021. All proceeds will be donated to communities that require support through organizations that help provide the most to these impacted families,” she said.

The challenge will be a virtually held event that will begin on Feb. 21 and will last until Mar. 21.

There will be four different challenges available for participants.

The Small Fry challenge, in a historical reference to the length of the South Alouette River, would be $10 for individuals and $15 for groups or families.

The Rainbow Trout challenge would cover 21 km., the same length as the North Alouette River and would cost $15 for individuals and $20 for groups or families.

The Sockeye Salmon challenge will be $20 for individuals and $25 groups for families. The Sockeye distance is 85 km and covers the combined distance of the North and South Alouette Rivers and the Alouette Reservoir.

Centenary Distance challenge will have participants covering all three distance challenges for a 110 km., and would cost $40 for individuals and $50 for groups or families to participate.

Businesses will also be able to sign up for any challenge category for $100 under corporate registration.

To register, people can go to https://events.eply.com/WatercourseWarriorChallenge3365341.

“The Watercourse Warrior challenge is a fundraiser, and it also helps to encourage participants to explore the Alouette River and Watershed. Participants will also access to extra materials to learn about species and ecosystems of the local area and complete additional challenges that focus on the Alouette River and Watershed,” said Holmes.

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The society will also be hosting an iNaturalist Challenge that will run for the duration of this event. iNatrualist is an identification program where one can upload an image, and it will classify/identify the species in the image. This helps to learn about local species in the area as well as provide vital information to researchers and organizations of rare and endangered species.

“Even though this event is virtual, as hosts, ARMS and Wild and Immersive, are still aiming to have a community feel to the event. Found a new plant species? Saw a really cool bird? Please share with us and your fellow challengers so we can see what amazing things you are exploring!” Holmes added.

The society will be hosting a Facebook community page to share resources and information about routes and the area. It is also where participants would be able to share their mileage times.

“While our focus is on the Alouette Watershed, we encourage anyone and everyone to participate in this event! If you live on another watercourse system or want to explore a new one, no problem, all time exploring and tracking your distance counts! And we would love you to share your explorations with us!” she said.

If people have any questions, they are encouraged to email communications@alouetteriver.org.

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