A Shared Path to Watershed Security

ABOUT THE STRATEGY
Healthy watersheds support drinking water, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, recreation, local economies, cultural values, and climate resilience. Water and watersheds in British Columbia (B.C.) are under immense pressure and are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and cumulative effects. Climate change is intensifying drought conditions, altering seasonal precipitation patterns, reducing snowpack accumulation, increasing temperatures, and accelerating watershed instability across the province. The threats facing water and watersheds have exposed the need for a collaborative and coordinated approach to govern and steward water and watersheds in B.C.

The Watershed Security Strategy (Strategy) was developed to establish a shared vision and a practical pathway toward long-term watershed security in B.C. It was originally co-developed by delegates from the First Nations Water Caucus (Water Caucus) and the Province of B.C. and was strongly informed by watershed and water stewardship initiatives across the province.

Given growing pressures to B.C.’s Watersheds, the Water Caucus has revised the Strategy and, with support from the First Nations Leadership Council, is sharing this version titled, “A Shared Path to Watershed Security: A Proposed Watershed Security Strategy for B.C.” The Strategy is being shared as a reference, tool, and framework that can be adapted and used by First Nations, governments, watershed organizations, stewardship groups, industry, agricultural interests, and communities across B.C.

The purpose of sharing this work is to support collaboration, encourage collective action, and contribute to healthy watersheds that sustain communities, ecosystems, economies, and future generations. The hope is that sharing this Strategy can help facilitate collaboration, uplift a shared vision, and support new and existing watershed stewardship efforts across B.C.

THE FIVE GOALS OF THE STRATEGY
The Strategy is built around five interconnected goals, each supported by a series of actions identified through a multi-year collaborative process. The goals are broad enough to apply to watersheds across the province, while allowing flexibility for tailored local implementation.
1. Recognize and affirm First Nations rights to enable the full expression of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
2. Reform watershed governance in B.C. to strengthen watershed stewardship and decision-making at the local and provincial scales.
3. Amend, create, and apply policy and law to improve watershed protection and recovery.
4. Map and monitor watersheds to identify cumulative effects, ecosystem services, and opportunities for restoration and protection.
5. Undertake broad education and outreach to encourage everyone to act in ways that respect watersheds.

ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS WATER CAUCUS
The Water Caucus brings together delegates from across BC to work together to advance First Nations priorities and interests around fresh water and watersheds.

GET INVOLVED
We invite you to read the Strategy, share it within your networks, and join the growing effort toward watershed security for present and future generations.

DOWNLOAD THE STRATEGY