It was the Fraser River, by way of the Rockies, that drew Mark Angelo to B.C., and eventually to his first position at BCIT.
"I remember, as a youngster, travelling to Banff. We went up through the Fraser Canyon," the recently retired chair of the Rivers Institute says. "I remember as a boy looking down on the Fraser River, and I was really impressed with its beauty and power. So I knew that British Columbia was a wonderful place."
Angelo grew up in Southern California near another waterway - the Los Angeles River, which had been badly polluted over the years.
"I've had a love for rivers ever since I was a boy," Angelo says.
There was a point in his childhood, he says, when he realized rivers aren't usually encased by large concrete culverts.
He had other examples of the natural world to rely on - a family cabin in the mountains led to his exploration of streams and creeks, he says.
As a young man, Angelo attended university in Montana, and he heard about a position with the British Columbia Institute of Technology's new fish and wildlife program.
"I knew that British Columbia was the land of great rivers, and I jumped at the chance," he says.
Angelo's career spanned 37 years at the institute, ending with his retirement this winter.
Angelo was the head of the fish and wildlife program for the majority of his career, but in 2009 he became the inaugural chair of the Rivers Institute.
"(It) was a wonderful way to end my career there," Angelo says, adding that he'll serve part-time as chair emeritus.
The institute is unique for its focus on applied research as well as advocacy, he says, and being involved in fact-based advocacy.
"I'm going to stay involved in rivers," he says, "It's a passion."
During his time at BCIT, Angelo founded B.C. Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, which is now held in more than 60 countries. He received the Order of B.C. and the Order of Canada for his work on river conservation.
Angelo also worked on the restoration of urban streams, including Guichon Creek near the Burnaby campus.
Guichon Creek's revitalization mirrors the growth and health of BCIT's environmental focus, he says.
"We've been able to see BCIT evolve from an environmental perspective, which is great," he says. "There are a lot of really exciting environment and sustainability programs at BCIT, whereas 37 years ago there were very few."
BCIT has also played a prominent role in his personal life - he met his wife Kathie while she was working there, marrying her in 1978, and his daughter Kelly Friday graduated from BCIT and went on to work in media relations for the institution.
She recently gave birth to Angelo's first grandchild, Tucker, and Angelo plans to spend more time with his new grandson now that he's retired.
But he doesn't plan to fade into the conservationist background.
Last year, Angelo held the Water for Life benefit concert, which was filmed by Global TV.
Due to the success of that event and film, Angelo now plans to make a documentary on river-related issues with a global reach, he says.
"It would focus on rivers lost, rivers saved, rivers restored, " Angelo says. "So that's something I'm quite excited about doing."
The film will probably be a two-year project, he says. Angelo is hoping for a limited theatrical release, showing it at film festivals, and hopes it will eventually run on National Geographic or Discovery channels.
Angelo also plans to stay involved with B.C. and World Rivers Day, and continue advocating for rivers, he says.
"Our waterways have so many values, they do so much for the quality of life that we all enjoy," Angelo says. "They have these spectacular natural and cultural and recreational values. So I think we have to do everything we can to ensure they're properly cared for."
