Funded Projects

The Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC) is partnering with Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Snaw-naw-as First Nation, Qualicum First Nation, K’ómoks First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations, Uu-a-thluk (Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council Fisheries), Ahousaht First Nation, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, Tlowitsis First Nation, Da’naxda’xw-Awaetlala First Nation, Mamalilikulla First Nation, Nuxalk First Nation, Heiltsuk First Nation, the Council of Haida Nation, Salmon Watersheds Lab (Simon Fraser University), and the Hakai Institute, to expand a multi-year estuary monitoring and research initiative across 20 coastal sites in British Columbia. These estuaries are rare but vital ecosystems that support over 80% of BC’s coastal fish and wildlife and are central to coastal Indigenous food systems and cultural practices.

Key activities will include seasonal water quality sampling and data analysis, juvenile salmon surveys and habitat assessments, training and mentorship for First Nation Guardians, data quality assurance and hosting, and knowledge sharing across communities and partners. This work will sustain and expand collaborative water quality monitoring across 20 estuaries, advance the understanding of juvenile salmon habitat use and estuary resilience, support Indigenous stewardship, training, and employment, ensure high-quality accessible data, and inform watershed planning, restoration, and climate adaptation strategies.