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
a jumping salmon icon

Supported Projects

(Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)
Nechako Valley Watershed Recovery – Primary Salmon Nursery Habitat
Lead Organization
Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Grant Amount
$ 1,095,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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(Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)
Description

Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society is restoring habitats, riparian areas, and water quality to support healthy populations of salmonids. Activities include replacing culverts with fish-friendly flow infrastructure, stabilizing stream banks, and minimizing livestock access to streambanks. This project will focus on six sites across critical tributaries of the Nechako Watershed and will support up to 20 jobs. (Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)

Lead Organization
Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Grant Amount
$ 1,095,000.00
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
Squamish River, Squamish. (Photo: Adarshana Thapa / REFBC)
Elaho River Chinook Salmon Restoration Project: Phase 3
Lead Organization
Squamish River Watershed Society
Grant Amount
$ 100,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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Squamish River, Squamish. (Photo: Adarshana Thapa / REFBC)
Description

Squamish River Watershed Society, in partnership with Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is continuing efforts to restore anadromous passage to spawning grounds in the upper Elaho River. This work involves removing any additional obstructions at previously cleared sites and implementing innovative monitoring techniques to assess impact. This phase of the project supports five jobs. (Photo: Adarshana Thapa / REFBC)

View Project Website
Lead Organization
Squamish River Watershed Society
Grant Amount
$ 100,000.00
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
(Photo: Cowichan Tribes)
Cowichan River and Koksilah River Sediment Removal
Lead Organization
Cowichan Tribes
Grant Amount
$ 2,300,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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(Photo: Cowichan Tribes)
Description

Cowichan Tribes is performing extensive work to rehabilitate the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers by focusing on sediment management and habitat rehabilitation. Work involves removing ~90,000 m3 of sediment across six sites, repairing the Hatchery and old Southside Dikes, excavating and reactivating side channels, and monitoring of sites for flood and drought management. This project supports 41 jobs and is an integral part of Cowichan Tribes’ 5-Year River Management Plan. (Photo: Cowichan Tribes)

Lead Organization
Cowichan Tribes
Grant Amount
$ 2,300,000.00
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
(Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)
148 Mile Marshes Rebuild Project
Lead Organization
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Grant Amount
$ 215,700.00
View Details
Project Details
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(Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)
Description

Ducks Unlimited is collaborating with ranch owners and First Nations to rebuild interconnected wetland habitats at 148 Mile Marshes. This project will update aging water control infrastructure and will support 13 jobs. (Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)

Lead Organization
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Grant Amount
$ 215,700.00
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
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