Our SupportAddressing the complexity of watershed security challenges requires an ability to navigate many policy, funding, legal, scientific, planning, economic and cultural issues. From improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbours, to better articulating issues and building community support, to taking stock of what has been accomplished, Watersheds BC can help you navigate the complexity of watershed governance and collaborative management. We support your work by providing you with decades of research, advice and access to a central hub of practical tools and expertise. Check out our Resources Gitanyow waters. Photo credit: Farhan Umedaly, VoVo Productions, 2021. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTPARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTCOLLABORATIVE PLANNINGKNOWLEDGE AND MONITORINGINDIGENOUS LAWS, POLICIES, AND GOVERNANCESUSTAINABLE CAPACITY & FUNDINGWatershed SecurityCOMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTPromoting inclusive engagement processes provides citizens with a way to influence and understand decisions that impact their home watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Islands Trust is working with First Nations and community groups to develop and implement a Freshwater Sustainability Strategy to guide resource allocation for freshwater projects. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTAdvancing watershed governance requires building trusting and productive relationships amongst people and organizations. HWI Project Spotlight A Rocha Canada is partnering with Semiahmoo First Nation on the long-term goal of restoring water quality in Boundary Bay so the Nation can resume the harvest of shellfish. Activities include reconvening a transboundary roundtable, identifying contamination sources through water monitoring, and developing a water quality action plan. COLLABORATIVE PLANNINGCo-developing principles and processes across multiple levels of government is critical to achieving and sustaining watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Sunshine Coast Regional District is collaborating with shíshálh Nation (Sechelt Nation), Skwxú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), community members, and other local governments to develop a Regional Watershed Management Plan. The plan will outline actions needed to protect watersheds within the region. KNOWLEDGE AND MONITORINGUnderstanding the state of BC’s watersheds is a prerequisite to effective watershed management and governance. HWI Project Spotlight Tŝilhqot’in National Government is increasing First Nations’ water management and analysis capacity by implementing a new data management portal to centralize, analyze, and share up-to-date water quality and quantity data. This project will equip First Nations decision-makers with the information needed to prioritize projects related to ecological and forestry recovery, climate change resilience, and flood and drought mitigation. INDIGENOUS LAWS, POLICIES, AND GOVERNANCERecognizing and affirming First Nations laws, governance, and processes is integral to supporting watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Recognizing and affirming First Nations laws, governance, and processes is integral to supporting watershed security. Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, in partnership with Carrier Sekani First Nations, is applying 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. YDWL has been applied to assess mining permit applications and will continue to be used for development project approvals. SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY & FUNDINGImplementing effective local watershed governance and security requires sustainable, long-term funding that is designed to ensure equity for Indigenous Nations. HWI Project Spotlight Through HWI, Watersheds BC is supporting project teams’ capacity across the province and demonstrating the economic value of investing in BC’s watersheds. A BC Water Security Fund would guarantee sustainable funding for long term watershed security. Our ApproachListen. Collaborate. Support.Our work is grounded in a holistic approach to watershed security that combines 6 essential elements. While every watershed is different, these elements are at the centre of effective management and governance of watersheds across BC. Below are examples of how capacity for local watershed governance and security is developing on the ground through Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI) projects. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTPromoting inclusive engagement processes provides citizens with a way to influence and understand decisions that impact their home watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Islands Trust is working with First Nations and community groups to develop and implement a Freshwater Sustainability Strategy to guide resource allocation for freshwater projects. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTAdvancing watershed governance requires building trusting and productive relationships amongst people and organizations. HWI Project Spotlight A Rocha Canada is partnering with Semiahmoo First Nation on the long-term goal of restoring water quality in Boundary Bay so the Nation can resume the harvest of shellfish. Activities include reconvening a transboundary roundtable, identifying contamination sources through water monitoring, and developing a water quality action plan. COLLABORATIVE PLANNINGCo-developing principles and processes across multiple levels of government is critical to achieving and sustaining watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Sunshine Coast Regional District is collaborating with shíshálh Nation (Sechelt Nation), Skwxú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), community members, and other local governments to develop a Regional Watershed Management Plan. The plan will outline actions needed to protect watersheds within the region. KNOWLEDGE AND MONITORINGUnderstanding the state of BC’s watersheds is a prerequisite to effective watershed management and governance. HWI Project Spotlight Tŝilhqot’in National Government is increasing First Nations’ water management and analysis capacity by implementing a new data management portal to centralize, analyze, and share up-to-date water quality and quantity data. This project will equip First Nations decision-makers with the information needed to prioritize projects related to ecological and forestry recovery, climate change resilience, and flood and drought mitigation. INDIGENOUS LAWS, POLICIES, AND GOVERNANCERecognizing and affirming First Nations laws, governance, and processes is integral to supporting watershed security. HWI Project Spotlight Recognizing and affirming First Nations laws, governance, and processes is integral to supporting watershed security. Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, in partnership with Carrier Sekani First Nations, is applying 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. YDWL has been applied to assess mining permit applications and will continue to be used for development project approvals. SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY & FUNDINGImplementing effective local watershed governance and security requires sustainable, long-term funding that is designed to ensure equity for Indigenous Nations. HWI Project Spotlight Through HWI, Watersheds BC is supporting project teams’ capacity across the province and demonstrating the economic value of investing in BC’s watersheds. A BC Water Security Fund would guarantee sustainable funding for long term watershed security. How We HelpStrong, trusted relationships are at the heart of our workCOACHINGWe work with communities to refine their watershed governance objectives, identify actions to achieve those objectives, and connect them with the supports needed for implementation. LEADERSHIPWe strengthen locally led, watershed-scale decision-making by supporting leaders with access to a provincial network of practitioners and current research, and resources. PEER TO PEER LEARNINGWe facilitate a variety of learning events to encourage connectivity and collaboration among water practitioners who are in Indigenous and local governments, watershed groups, and provincial and federal government agencies. COACHINGLEADERSHIPPEER TO PEER LEARNINGCapacity DevelopmentCOACHINGWe work with communities to refine their watershed governance objectives, identify actions to achieve those objectives, and connect them with the supports needed for implementation. LEADERSHIPWe strengthen locally led, watershed-scale decision-making by supporting leaders with access to a provincial network of practitioners and current research, and resources. PEER TO PEER LEARNINGWe facilitate a variety of learning events to encourage connectivity and collaboration among water practitioners who are in Indigenous and local governments, watershed groups, and provincial and federal government agencies.
