The purpose of this practicum is to explore the Cheakamus River from its beginning at Outlier Peak to its arrival at Howe Sound. I explored it in terms of its history, both geological and cultural; its uses both past and present; and in terms of ‘place’. I determined there had not been development in the area, due to geological instability and its unique location. I explored the place, its unique characteristics and its rarity. My exploration was through photography, writing and drawing. I explored the culture of the Cheakamus by looking at its role in the mythology of the First Nations People of the area. By looking at the notions of retreat, renewal, meditation and contemplation, I explored the stimmung, genus loci and zen of this river system. Finally, I made connections between the river and the land, highlighting the uniqueness of place.

The purpose of this practicum is to explore the Cheakamus River from its beginning at Outlier Peak to its arrival at Howe Sound. I explored it in terms of its history, both geological and cultural; its uses both past and present; and in terms of ‘place’. I determined there had not been development in the area, due to geological instability and its unique location. I explored the place, its unique characteristics and its rarity. My exploration was through photography, writing and drawing. I explored the culture of the Cheakamus by looking at its role in the mythology of the First Nations People of the area. By looking at the notions of retreat, renewal, meditation and contemplation, I explored the stimmung, genus loci and zen of this river system. Finally, I made connections between the river and the land, highlighting the uniqueness of place.

An estimated 90% of resident sculpin (Cottus asper and C. aleuticus) were impacted by a spill of 45,000 litres of sodium hydroxide, which occurred on the Cheakamus River, British Columbia on August 5, 2005. This study examined sculpin biology, life history, how sculpins are recovering from the impact, and whether they are re-entering the Cheakamus River from the adjacent Squamish and Mamquam Rivers. Sculpins were sampled in the three river systems via minnow trapping and electrofishing. Morphometric data were recorded and fin clips were taken as deoxyribonucleic acid vouchers to validate field species identification and to determine population distinctiveness among the three systems. Populations were not distinct, suggesting recolonization from other rivers is occurring. The data show sculpins will undergo seasonal downstream spawning migrations and also suggest sculpins are opportunistic habitat colonizers. This research bears useful implications for the adaptive management, recovery, and sustainability of sculpins in the Cheakamus River.