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

(Photo: Noémi Pomerleau / REFBC)
Monitoring of Agricultural Effluent Impact on Anadromous Fish in the Merritt Area
Lead Organization
Scw’exmx Tribal Council
Grant Amount
$ 58,800.00
View Details
Project Details
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(Photo: Noémi Pomerleau / REFBC)
Description

Scw'exmx Tribal Council is conducting water monitoring to track agricultural effluent along the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers. Communities and decision makers will use this data to understand how water quality may be impacted by agricultural activity during the spring freshet. This project will support two jobs. (Photo: Noémi Pomerleau / REFBC)

Lead Organization
Scw’exmx Tribal Council
Grant Amount
$ 58,800.00
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
Koksilah Watershed (Photo: Taylor Roades / Narwhal)
Koksilah Watershed Water Sustainability Planning
Lead Organization
Cowichan Tribes
Grant Amount
$ 501,380.00
View Details
Project Details
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Koksilah Watershed (Photo: Taylor Roades / Narwhal)
Description

Cowichan Tribes is working with community partners to gather data and scope options for a water sustainability plan for Xwulqw’selu Sto’lo (the Koksilah River) watershed. In recent years, summer flow rates have been exceptionally low at times when demand for water (from domestic, agricultural, and industrial users) is greatest. This project includes technical work and analysis to support sustainable, long-term land and water management, in order to restore water flows for fish and water users. This project supports 12 jobs. (Photo: Taylor Roades / Narwhal)

View Project Website
Lead Organization
Cowichan Tribes
Grant Amount
$ 501,380.00
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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(Photo: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)
KFN Resource Stewardship Program
Lead Organization
Kwikwetlem First Nation
Grant Amount
$ 435,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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(Photo: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)
Description

Kwikwetlem First Nation is hiring and training four full-time Resource Guardians, who will enforce conservation regulations, restore environmentally compromised sites, and monitor development activities to protect archaeological, environmental, and cultural assets. This project supports 10 jobs. (Photo: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)

Lead Organization
Kwikwetlem First Nation
Grant Amount
$ 435,000.00
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
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