Project Watershed’s habitat restoration technical team has received five years worth of funding ($689,000) through the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ new Coastal Restoration Fund.
“Our project focuses on mapping and restoration of the marine habitats - eelgrass, salt marsh, and kelp - that have been fragmented or lost due to human activities, but play an important role as a migratory corridor and protection from predation for juvenile salmonids and associated feed organisms,” said Christine Hodgson, senior project manager. “The goal is to increase habitat connectivity for migratory fishes along the eastern shore of Vancouver Island from Oyster River estuary to Nile Creek estuary.”
The project will include participation from local community groups including First Nations’ Guardians, and will compare historic and present-day distribution of these habitats to assess target areas for restoration.
“The successes we have had with restoration projects in the K’ómoks Estuary, involving these three marine vegetation types, has contributed greatly to our success in securing this funding,” said Dan Bowen technical director.
Board Ccair, Paul Horgen, feels that this new five-year initiative nicely complements the society’s activities with respect to purchasing and restoring the decommissioned sawmill site, Kus-kus-sum.
To learn more about Project Watersheds stewardship activities or to make a donation to the sawmill restoration project, visit our website (projectwatershed.ca) or call Project Watershed at 250-703-2871.