Making A Difference On The Ground
Since the Fraser Basin Council was established in 1997, it has played a leadership role in more than 50 action-oriented projects throughout the Fraser River Basin. The FBC and its partners have tackled a wide range of important sustainability issues, chalking up an extensive list of accomplishments and making a difference "on the ground."
One of its more important roles has been to bring together government, private sector and non-government partners to find enduring, workable solutions to many complex sustainability challenges, take advantage of opportunities to enhance the sustainability of the Basin, and in some cases, resolve entrenched conflicts that began as long as 50 years ago.
Many of the important sustainability issues facing Fraser Basin residents, governments, community groups and businesses are Basin wide – and even, province wide – in scope. Issues include preparing for the next great Fraser River flood, controlling the spread of invasive plant species, managing the effects of climate change, strengthening rural communities, developing a sustainable fish and fisheries strategy, building constructive aboriginal and non-aboriginal relationships and measuring our progress towards sustainability.
Other issues are of concern to specific regions of the Basin. Some of these regional issues include threats to property and navigation from waterborne debris in the Fraser Valley, maintaining a healthy estuary at the mouth of the River, developing a Sustainable Region Initiative in the GVRD, addressing deteriorating water quality in Shuswap Lake, developing a set of sustainability indicators for the City of Quesnel and resolving conflicts over water flows on the Nechako River.
To address these issues, the FBC is involved in both Basin Wide Programs and Regional Programs that advance the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the Fraser Basin. The FBC initiates and takes the lead on some projects, and works in partnership with other organizations on others. The role of the FBC in these initiatives is to facilitate dialogue, act as a jurisdictional and conflict resolution agent, seek comprehensive solutions, and move objectives to action.
The FBC has also worked to increase public awareness about sustainability issues throughout the Basin and motivate people to take action to make their part of the Basin more sustainable. In all of its programs and projects, the FBC considers the needs of the entire Basin rather than those of any single jurisdiction, interest, organization or individual.
For more information on FBC programs and accomplishments, visit:
Basin Wide Programs
Regional Programs
Conferences
Sustainability Awards
Sustainability Indicators