Our Water, Our Future

The Healthy Watersheds Initiative is creating jobs and bringing communities together to protect fresh water, restore salmon habitat, and adapt to climate change. 
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Recent Stories

We Are of Water

"We Are of Water", illustrated by Chenoa Gao, provides visuals connected to voices and knowledge shared by Indigenous Elders, youth, and community members through HWI projects on the significance of watersheds and water.
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Unpaving Kus-Kus-Sum: Restoring and Recycling

The Kus-Kus-Sum Unpaving Paradise project is decommissioning and restoring a historic sawmill site along the Courtney River.
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Symposium & Celebration Dinner

On February 23, 2023, project team members, First Nations leaders, provincial and local government representatives, and community members came together to celebrate the outcomes and learnings from the HWI.
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$100 million invested in Watershed Security Fund to be co-developed with First Nations

The BC Government and BC First Nations Water Table has announced an investment of $100 million towards creating a Watershed Security Fund and a commitment to co-developing the Fund with First Nations.
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60+
projects
700+
jobs
$27M
investment
270+
community partners
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Supported Projects

woman in an orange safety vest pushing a wheelbarrow of wood shavings towards restoration site
Glen Urquhart Creek Riparian, Stream Course, and Wetland Habitat Restoration
Lead Organization
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
Grant Amount
$ 50,000.00
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Project Details
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woman in an orange safety vest pushing a wheelbarrow of wood shavings towards restoration site
Description

Comox Valley Project Watershed Society, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and K'omoks First Nation, is restoring water quality and spawning channels in the Glen Urquhart Creek watershed, a critical wetland and habitat. This project, which supports 12 jobs, involves installing in-stream habitat features, reconnecting catchments to the wetland, and removing invasive species. (Photo: Claire Sauvage-Mar / WatershedsBC)

Lead Organization
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
Grant Amount
$ 50,000.00
Project Type
Organization Type
Region(s)View map of BC's Natural Resource District.

View map of BC's Natural Resource District.

Watershed(s)
Related Articles
To learn more about the health of a wetland, the LEPS Wetland Crew collects water samples to test for environmental DNA (“eDNA”) to check the number and type of species (bugs) present in the water. (Photo: Langley Environmental Partners Society)
Wetlands Workforce
Lead Organization
BC Wildlife Federation
Grant Amount
$ 5,055,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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To learn more about the health of a wetland, the LEPS Wetland Crew collects water samples to test for environmental DNA (“eDNA”) to check the number and type of species (bugs) present in the water. (Photo: Langley Environmental Partners Society)
Description

BC Wildlife Federation is collaborating with First Nations and conservation organizations to restore, stabilize, and monitor BC's wetlands. These activities will improve wetland inventories, management, and decision-making. This project will support over 100 jobs and will provide training for workers in Wetlands Ecosystem Enhancement Protocol and Wetland Inventory. (Photo: Langley Environmental Partners Society)

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Clear view at the Kootenays. (Photo: Nick Davies / REFBC)
Nature-Based Planning and Natural Asset Analysis in Watersheds in Rural RDCK Area E Communities
Lead Organization
West Kootenay Community EcoSociety
Grant Amount
$ 450,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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Clear view at the Kootenays. (Photo: Nick Davies / REFBC)
Description

West Kootenay Community EcoSociety is working with First Nations and communities in Central Kootenay to assess natural assets and develop nature-based plans for two key watersheds. WKCES will prepare a plain language risk and opportunity analysis, and will develop an interactive map describing the current condition of the watersheds for residents who rely on them for drinking water. This project will support up to 21 jobs. (Photo: Nick Davies / REFBC)

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woman standing on gravel next to a blue glacial-fed lake
Indigenous-Led Watershed Restoration in the Upper Pitt Watershed
Lead Organization
World Wildlife Fund Canada
Grant Amount
$ 375,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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woman standing on gravel next to a blue glacial-fed lake
Description

World Wildlife Fund Canada is supporting Katzie First Nation in the next phase of restoration work on four critical salmon habitats in the Upper Pitt watershed. This work includes installing intakes, creating new channels for smolt habitat, reconnecting historical hydrological systems, and constructing bio-berms to protect spawning habitat. This project supports 28 jobs. (Photo: Claire Sauvage-Mar / WatershedsBC)

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