 Important update: Rivershed has recently moved to Zeffy, a fundraising platform that is free for nonprofits. If you notice a change when donating or renewing a membership, this is why. If you are a monthly donor, you will receive an email to change over your donation to Zeffy. Our email newsletters and online forms are also through Zeffy. With the changeover, it’s possible some subscription preferences didn’t get transferred. If you received this newsletter in error, please accept our apologies, and let us know so that we may correct the error. Earlier this month, Rivershed joined fellow Steering Committee members of the BC Watershed Security Coalition in Victoria for a lobby day at the Legislature. Conversations with elected officials, including the Premier, David Eby, and the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Randene Neill, focused on a clear and practical opportunity: investing in watershed security as essential infrastructure that supports communities, local economies, and long-term resilience. A key part of that discussion was the opportunity to modernize industrial water rental rates and reinvest that revenue into watershed security, helping scale up the work already underway in communities across the province. The Coalition’s business case outlines this opportunity and the role strategic investment can play in strengthening watershed health and resilience.  Members of the BC Watershed Security Coalition Steering Committee with Premier, David Eby (sixth from left), and Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Randene Neill (left). Across the province, there is increasing recognition that healthy watersheds underpin everything from food systems and drinking water to flood and wildfire risk. The discussions in Victoria highlighted the importance of aligning policy and strategic investment with the work already underway to strengthen watershed health and resilience, including in the Fraser. This policy and systems work is one way Rivershed contributes to watershed health and resilience. Your support helps make this work possible. If you’re able, please consider making a contribution. FoodlandsThis month’s Foodlands update comes from the Bell Slough in Chilliwack, where the Foodlands team was out in March alongside local collaborators checking the slough for amphibian egg masses to help inform restoration planning along the corridor.  These surveys help build a clearer picture of how the slough is functioning and how restoration work can move forward in step with what is already happening on the land and in the water. The most common egg masses observed during the surveys were from northwestern salamanders, one of several amphibian species found in local riparian areas. Field observations like these are helping inform next steps for the corridor while building a better understanding of the ecosystem over time. Watershed NewsA $410 million investment injects hope into the future of Pacific salmon Statement by Michael Meneer, President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation. Read more.
Wetland Plants of British Columbia Wetland Plants of British Columbia, Version 3 is now published and available in print copy as well as for download. Read more.
‘Creative math’ or conservation loophole? B.C. rethinks 30-by-30 after industry push Following lobbying by a mining group, B.C. is reviewing how it defines conservation across the province — raising concerns about weaker protections and stalled new protected areas. Read more.
Canada’s Nature Strategy renews Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative to protect and rebuild wild Pacific salmon populations The renewed PSSI will build on the successes achieved since the initiative first launched in 2021, enabling continued collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, provincial and territorial governments, harvesters, stewardship partners, environmental organizations, academia, and communities across the West Coast. Read more.
Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus welcomes renewed federal investment in Pacific salmon Call for concrete actions to recover salmon populations. Read more.
Metro Vancouver watering restrictions to begin soon amid low snowpack Starting on May 1, homes and businesses will only be allowed to water their lawns once a week. Read more.
Sunshine Coast Regional District advocates for local watershed boards Area elected officials want a system of locally based watershed authorities “to support watershed scale planning, source water protection, and coordinated drought and flood preparedness across British Columbia”. Read more.
Watershed Security Fund Spring 2026 Grant Recipients $6 Million supporting 26 community-led watershed projects across BC. Read more.
Inviting Cariboo-Chilcotin residents to help guide forest management Survey, open houses will collect feedback on what people value in local forests. Read more.
Why freshwater migratory fish need ‘safe passage’ globally as numbers decline New global assessment finds 325 species of fish that cross international borders that are in decline. Read more.
What this historic snow drought will mean for the summer Heat wave, warm winter have acted as a 'snow eater,' CBC News meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe reports. Read more.
Warm winter, ongoing droughts could elevate fire risk this season, says B.C. Wildfire Service Province says severity of wildfire season will depend on May and June rainfall. Read more.
Can nature help solve the flood threat humans created? Constraining the Nooksack has had devastating, costly results. US officials aim to give it more space to flow. Read more.
100 Mile House, south Cariboo residents invited to help guide forest management Survey, open houses will collect feedback on what people value in local forests. Read more.
Break the Blaze competition targets wildfire hazards New initiative encourages people to take action. Read more.
The benefits of the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative ripple across British Columbia As this 3-year, provincially funded Initiative concludes, the final impacts report celebrates the achievements of 44 First Nations across B.C., and what’s needed to sustain momentum. Read more.
Vancouver Island's low snowpack likely to affect salmon populations: researchers Vancouver Island's snowpack stood at only 44% of normal in the latest report from the province. Read more.
B.C. climate concerns persist despite overwhelming cost-of-living worries, poll finds Majority of respondents say they prefer senior levels of government, big emitters to pay for climate costs. Read more.
Who Pays? A series on how Canada’s economy intersects with its environment Canada has long had a resource-based economy. Fur, forests and fish anchored local livelihoods and international trade before this was a country. Read more.
Biobank of wildlife samples in B.C. opens new possibilities for science and conservation A growing biobank from the British Columbia Furbearer Project is giving scientists unprecedented access to high-quality wildlife samples. Read more. Accounting for Nature Natural capital underpins insurance markets, real estate, agriculture, and infrastructure resilience, not to speak of providing clean air and water, carbon storage and more. Read more.
WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Data Hub is live, now it’s your turn Environmental data takes many forms — from high-resolution satellite imagery to local biodiversity surveys to find out which organisms live where — and can be invaluable to community and governmental decision makers, local land managers and environmental technicians. Read more. Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend?Subscribe here to get Rivershed Stories delivered straight to your inbox each month. EventsMay 6: Lillooet Regional Invasive Species Society AGM & planning meeting May 9: Make New Friends & Remove Invasive Blackberry @ Westview Park, Maple Ridge May 14: Living Lakes Canada’s 2026 Annual General Meeting May 17: Meet People & Remove Invasive Plants @ Hoffmann Park, Pitt Meadows May 19: Webinar: Introducing the Ecosystem Services Gradient and its Applications May 19-21: British Columbia Protected Areas Forum May 23: Meet New People & Remove Invasive Blackberry at King George Park, Richmond May 20-22: 2026 ORCBC Conference: Building Stronger Communities Through Outdoor Recreation October 15-16: BC Salmon Recovery and Resilience conference OpportunitiesIndigenous Climate Action is hiring multiple positions. The Stewardship Centre for BC is inviting applications for a Stewardship Program Assistant. Simpcw Resources Group has multiple positions open for application. Langley Environmental Partners Society is currently seeking two Summer Outreach Technicians. Vancouver Foundation is hiring a Manager, Stewardship (Donor Services) Katzie First Nation is looking for a Referrals Coordinator and a Referrals Manager. Ancient Forest Alliance is hiring a Forest Campaigner and a Canvass Director. Sierra Club BC is accepting applications for a Marketing & Engagement Coordinator. West Coast Environmental Law is hiring for a Summer Community Outreach position. Canadian Climate Institute is looking for a Research Lead, Clean Growth and a Production and Design Specialist. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is inviting Canadians to participate in its annual pre-budget consultations process. CLEAResult Canada has multiple positions open for application. CPAWS is hiring a Marketing Advisor and a Web Administrator. Do you have news, events or opportunities you'd like to share? Email them to info@rivershed.com
The Rivershed Team Thank you for reading Rivershed Stories! Please share it with a friend or family member who cares about the health and resilience of the Fraser. The more people we can connect with, the greater our collective impact across the watershed. Rivershed acknowledges our position as a settler‑led organization working on First Nation and often unceded territories throughout the Fraser Watershed. We recognize the responsibilities that come with this position and remain committed to learning from and working alongside First Nations and Knowledge Keepers to strengthen the health and resilience of the Fraser watershed. |
