The Healthy Watersheds Initiative is a $27-million program to support job creation through investments in community-driven watershed conservation and restoration projects. The Province of BC has provided funding for the program through the B.C. Economic Recovery Plan.
The Healthy Watersheds Initiative will support economic recovery and stimulus through investments in watershed science, planning, conservation, and restoration.
HWI-supported projects will improve the health of watersheds, create economic and skills development opportunities, generate new learning, and strengthen relationships with First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations.
Grants provided through the Healthy Watersheds Initiative will support community-driven projects to:
Healthy Watersheds Initiative funding will support more than 60 projects led by a range of organizations, including:
Project teams are expected to develop COVID-19 health and safety plans, and to comply with all public health orders.
In response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Watersheds BC worked with organizations across the province to build a case for public investment in watershed security to both stimulate the economy and support critical work to sustain freshwater ecosystems. As part of this work, Watersheds BC surveyed a broad range of watershed organizations and communities to collect more than 140 proposals for “shovel-worthy” projects that could be supported with economic stimulus funding.
When the Province prepared the B.C. Economic Recovery Plan, it allocated $27 million for investments in watershed initiatives and wetlands projects. Provincial staff completed a technical and eligibility review of the projects collected through the Watersheds BC survey to ensure they met funding criteria.
In identifying projects to support, the Province of BC and Watersheds BC looked for projects that:
The Province of BC has closed the review of projects. At this time, there are no opportunities to apply for funding.
Given the short timeframe for submissions, there are undoubtedly many excellent projects that have not been identified for funding. We encourage organizations interested in future funding to support the BC Watershed Security Coalition’s efforts to make a case for sustained public investments for watershed conservation and restoration.
The Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) is leading the administration of funding for the Healthy Watersheds Initiative and working with Watersheds BC to support the implementation of more than 60 projects.
REFBC, is partnering with Watersheds BC to support learning and evaluation, share project stories, and to facilitate collaboration between the Province, First Nations, watershed organizations, and community partners.
The Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) is a funder that makes grants to non-profit organizations working to strengthen communities and protect land and water.
REFBC was selected to manage the Healthy Watersheds Initiative based on its strong record for excellence in grant administration, program evaluation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Through its grantmaking, research, and partnerships, REFBC has demonstrated a lasting commitment to supporting freshwater sustainability, watershed governance, and community-led conservation.
No. Grants made through the Healthy Watersheds Initiative will be administered separately from REFBC’s usual grants program.
Watersheds BC is working with the Real Estate Foundation of BC to support project teams with peer learning, reporting and evaluation, project communications, and collaboration among project partners.
While the Province of B.C. was developing its COVID-19 economic recovery plan, Watersheds BC worked with partners in the freshwater sector to build a case for public investments in watershed security and identify water-related projects that could be supported with stimulus funding.
