Funded Projects

Quatsino First Nation is leading this project to advance a Nation-led watershed stewardship, restoration, and governance initiative grounded in Quatsino rights, responsibilities, and knowledge systems. The key objectives are to strengthen Indigenous-led monitoring and decision-making, foster intergenerational learning and capacity-building, restore watershed health and culturally important species, gather monitoring data to inform corrective actions and adaptive management, and elevate Quatsino knowledge, values, and cultural protocols.

Activities will include operationalizing Quatsino’s Watershed Management Framework that was co-developed by Quatsino, Western Forest Products, and the Province of BC, conducting ongoing compliance and cumulative effects monitoring, conducting Nation-led snorkel surveys and salmon population assessments, completing habitat assessments and developing enhanced habitat mapping that integrates ecological science and traditional knowledge shared by Elders, implementing restoration aligned with Quatsino priorities which includes restoration actions on the Marble and Mahatta watersheds supported by youth field assistants, and creating an inventory of water licences, permits, and policies consistent with Quatsino laws and values. To support all of these activities, an Elder-in-Residence position will be established to ensure consistent cultural advisory support, guidance on protocols, involvement in priority-setting and watershed data interpretation.