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

group gathered on the banks of a large lake
Capacity Building for Water Leaders Through Learning and Development
Lead Organization
BC Freshwater Initiative (Makeway)
Grant Amount
$ 453,000.00
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Project Details
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group gathered on the banks of a large lake
Description

BC Freshwater Legacy Initiative, a project of Makeway, is providing tailored training, peer learning, and coaching support to Indigenous and non-Indigenous water leaders in communities that are leading on innovative approaches to watershed management, governance, and security. This project, which supports 10 jobs, will enable shared learning between organizations and regions and to advance the use of different knowledge systems in informing good watershed decision-making. (Photo: REFBC)

Lead Organization
BC Freshwater Initiative (Makeway)
Grant Amount
$ 453,000.00
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: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)
Elk Valley Stormwater Solutions and Water Awareness
Lead Organization
Elk River Alliance
Grant Amount
$ 19,197.00
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Project Details
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(Photo: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)
Description

Elk River Alliance is implementing stormwater treatment practices to preserve wetland and riparian areas in the Elk Valley. This project, which uses a combination of stewardship activities and public education, will support up to three jobs. (Photo: Andy Fitzsimon / Unsplash)

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(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
Project type - Indigenous Partnerships
Yinka Dene Water Law – Implementing Tools for Fish Habitat Recovery
Lead Organization
Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance
Grant Amount
$ 300,000.00
View Details
Project Details
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Project type - Indigenous Partnerships
Description

Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, in partnership with Carrier Sekani First Nations, will apply Yinka Dene Water Law (YDWL) to assess and implement ecosystem restoration and protection projects in the Nechako watershed. YDWL is the policy that governs water use and stewardship obligations in Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en territories. This project supports up to 12 jobs.

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