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. 
Learn More

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.
Read More
news

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.
Read More
news

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.
Read More
news

$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.
Read More
news
1 2 3 11
Stronger BC logo
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Sign up to our newsletter

60+
projects
700+
jobs
$27M
investment
270+
community partners
a jumping salmon icon

Supported Projects

salmon river near Enderby, BC
Salmon River Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping
Lead Organization
Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the Land) LLP
Grant Amount
$ 161,000.00
View Details
Project Details
view page
salmon river near Enderby, BC
Description

Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the Land) LLP is using sensitive habitat inventory mapping to establish baseline conditions of the Salmon River. This data will be used to further the long-term goal of reversing the historical trend pertaining to fish habitat degradation marked by lost riparian vegetation, eroding streambanks, high summer temperatures, low water levels, sediment buildup, declining salmon stocks and other issues in the Salmon River. This project supports eight jobs. (Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)

Lead Organization
Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the Land) LLP
Grant Amount
$ 161,000.00
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
Kwakiutl - Cluxewe (Photo: Kwakiutl First Nation)
Kwakiutl Cluxewe River and Estuary Restoration
Lead Organization
Kwakiutl First Nation
Grant Amount
$ 250,000.00
View Details
Project Details
view page
Kwakiutl - Cluxewe (Photo: Kwakiutl First Nation)
Description

The Kwakiutl First Nation is addressing large-scale active erosion in the Cluxewe River by designing and implementing fish habitat restoration measures. These measures will help to stabilize the channel and restore salmon spawning rearing areas in the lower river and estuary. This project will create at least eight jobs and provide on-the-job training. (Photo: Kwakiutl First Nation)

View Project Website
Lead Organization
Kwakiutl First Nation
Grant Amount
$ 250,000.00
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
view page
(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)
Farmland Advantage – Payment for Ecosystem Services
Lead Organization
BC Investment Agriculture Foundation
Grant Amount
$ 600,000.00
View Details
Project Details
view page
(Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)
Description

BC Investment Agriculture Foundation is working with farmers and First Nations across the province to protect and preserve critical riparian habitats on agricultural land. The Farmland Advantage program helps farmers identify natural values on their land and provides the tools needed to conserve them. This project will support up to 48 jobs. (Photo: Picture BC / Flickr)

View Project Website
1 2 3 16
View All Projects

Follow us on Social Media

Latest Tweets

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

HWI Newsletter Subscription

Healthy Watersheds Initiative Logo
By subscribing to our newsletter and providing your email address, you are expressly giving your consent to receive news, projects information and important updates from the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (administered by the Real Estate Foundation of BC). You can withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ‘Unsubscribe’ link on any emails you receive or by contacting the Foundation directly at hwiprogram@refbc.com.
* indicates required

By checking this box, you're consenting to receive emails from the Healthy Watersheds Initiative.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

cross