Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP)

The Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) team can be found in the community every year from April to November educating businesses and community members on salmon stewardship while employing local youth to enhance Surrey's fish habitat.

SHaRP's goal is to protect and improve Surrey's stream habitats as our city grows and develops. SHaRP is a City of Surrey initiative that began in 1996 and has involved over 730 people in active stream restoration works. In 2025, SHaRP is celebrating its 30th season of stewardship! We invite everyone to come visit the team at sites and events throughout the year to learn more about Pacific salmon and the Surrey streams they live in.

Employment opportunities with SHaRP

If you’re a post-secondary or high school student, you can apply to be a SHaRP Team Leader or a SHaRP Crew Member!

Job opportunities are available for post-secondary students for a 4 month term, from early May to the end of August, or a 7 month term from early May to the end of November. Job opportunities for Surrey high school students are available for July and August. For both roles there are even opportunities to continue working part-time in the fall. Job requirements include the ability to conduct physical activities, effectively communicate with others, and work within a team.

Project activities include:

Invasive plant removal and streamside riparian planting
Instream restoration and enhancement
Coastal habitat projects
Water quality testing
Agricultural stream enhancement
Educating businesses and industries on how to protect water quality
Community and school class presentations
Attending community events and hosting activities
Supporting local stream steward volunteers with projects

Crew Member positions

The application period for SHaRP Crew Member positions is closed. Please check back in early May 2025 for opportunities to positively impact salmon habitat!

Every year we hire Surrey high school students who are passionate about the outdoors and eager to share their environmental interests with the community. We select candidates based on experience and their enthusiasm for Surrey's environment. Surrey students currently in Grades 10, 11 and 12 can apply.

Positions for 2025 are July 2 to August 27, 2025, working 7 hour days 5 days a week at a wage of $19.29/hour.

Interested in applying? The job application period opens on May 1, 2025 and the job posting will be available on this page to view and share. Questions about the positions or messages to provide your cover letter and resume can be directed to sharpapplications@gmail.com.

Team Leader positions

The application period for the 2025 SHaRP Team Leader positions is now OPEN. The application period closes on February 10, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Team leader positions are geared towards post-secondary students interested in hands-on environmental work. The work term is May to August, with opportunities to work into the fall season until the end of November. Learn more about each team leader role in the 2025 job postings:

Positions:

“It feels great when people come to our tent who never knew about Surrey’s salmon habitats but are eager to learn. It feels great to know that you made a difference.” – Crew Member

How SHaRP helps Surrey communities

SHaRP members are regularly involved in:

Watershed enhancement projects involving slope stabilization using bioengineering techniques, debris removal, streamside riparian planting, invasive plant species removal, spawning gravel augmentation, instream weir installations and other ways to enhance fish habitat.
Community education outreach programs at schools, daycares, community events, libraries, and parks. The team is out regularly engaging residents about Surrey's natural heritage and what they can do to preserve fish and fish habitat.
Agricultural stewardship projects with the farming community to encourage agricultural land management practices that are also fish friendly.
Industrial and business education outreach to help prevent storm drain pollution and to celebrate all the great efforts businesses are making toward protecting sensitive stream habitats.
Media opportunities and public relations with City Councillors, program funders, and community members.
Hosting various community events and activities.
Water quality testing and creek habitat assessments to monitor salmon habitat integrity.

sharp members in stream bed placing stones

a sharp member showing a child a salmon illustration

a sharp member doing a craft with several children

a sharp worker cutting invasive species and putting them in a bucket

sharp members gather as someone shows a plant

SHaRP funders

The City of Surrey provides base program funding to ensure SHaRP operates each year, as it is committed to the positive work that SHaRP accomplishes each year. We also get tremendous support for the program through additional funding support received through external organizations. SHaRP couldn't be as successful without this support. To our funders, we thank you!

In addition to the funding partners, SHaRP students team up with local community groups on initiatives like riparian plantings, instream debris removal, community education, instream habitat complexing, and invasive plant species removal projects.

2025 funders

To be determined.

2024 funders

ECO Canada
BioTalent Canada
Surrey School District #36
Organic Ocean Seafood

Contact

The Engineering Department of the City of Surrey manages the contract with an outside consultant retained to oversee the management of the students involved in the program each year. Dillon Consulting has been retained to carry out the SHaRP program since 1996.

For more information about SHaRP, email salmontracks@surrey.ca or call 604-591-4383. You can also find SHaRP on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.