The Nechako Watershed Roundtable is a new collaborative initiative underway in 2015 to protect and improve the health of the Nechako watershed for future generations.
The Roundtable (NWR) includes representation from BC First Nations, the Province of BC, local governments and other agencies and organizations having responsibilities and interests in the watershed.
Background
The Nechako Watershed — a magnificent river system in north-central BC — is facing significant challenges, including impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and salvage logging, climate change, and the diversion of water out of the Nechako watershed. Effective stewardship of the Nechako Watershed today is critical to all future generations.
In light of the challenges, there is a need to enhance awareness and collaboration to help ensure the long-term environmental health and wealth of the Nechako watershed, while addressing today’s needs for responsible resource development and resilient communities.
Different organizations have worked, and to continue to work, to improve the health of the Nechako. Most agree that activities could be better coordinated, limited resources pooled more effectively, and decision-makers and the public given more opportunities to become more aware and engaged in the health of the watershed.
Origins of the Roundtable
A dialogue began in 2012 among different bodies within the watershed, which came together informally as the Nechako Watershed Alliance. The intent was to share information and knowledge, explore common interests and brainstorm on actions needed to advance watershed health.
In the spring of 2015, participants decided to form a watershed roundtable that includes representatives of government (Provincial, Local and First Nations), community groups, academic and research communities and the general public
Guided by a core leadership committee, the Nechako Watershed Roundtable intends to create a strategic plan and to undertake and advise on water stewardship activities in the Nechako River Basin.
Roundtable Participants
Current participants in the Roundtable include:
Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council
Cheslatta Carrier Nation
City of Prince George
District of Vanderhoof
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fraser Basin Council
Fraser-Fort George Regional District
Integrated Watershed Research Group, University of Northern BC
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Northern Health
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Saik’uz First Nation.
Terms of Reference, Structure and Core Committee
To learn more about the Nechako Watershed Roundtable, see the Terms of Reference document, which includes including a mission, objectives, guiding principles and structure for the work of the Roundtable and its core committee.
Contact Us
The Fraser Basin Council serves as secretariat for the Roundtable.
For more information, please contact:
Wayne Salewski: E: | T: 250 567-9542
Kim Menounos: E: | T: 250 612-0252
Marieka Sax: E: | T: 250 960-5994
ROUNDTABLE MEETING
You're Invited!
NWR 2018 Annual Meeting
November 2, 2018 10 am - 4 pm Nautley, BC
The Nechako Watershed Roundtable (NWR) invites everyone interested in the health of the Nechako watershed to participate in the Roundtable's annual meeting on November 2 in the home of the Nadleh Whut'en in Nautley.
The focus of discussions will be updates on NWR activities, watershed health, response to wildfire events and risks to watershed health associated with them. Speakers will include regional experts and leaders from communities around the watershed area.
The Nechako Watershed Roundtable with the support of the Fraser Basin Council have completed the first version of the Nechako Watershed Strategy. An early priority of the Roundtable, the Strategy aims to identify priority issues and actions needed to advance watershed health; highlight activities and initiatives already underway; support enhanced coordination of current activities; and propose further actions to address the issues and concerns raised by community stakeholders. A summary report on the Nechako Watershed Strategy and the full Strategy are available for download:
The early work of the Roundtable is possible thanks to the generous contributions of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, the Omineca Beetle Action Committee, the Regional Districts of Fraser-Fort George and Bulkley-Nechako, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the University of Northern BC.
FBC has been honoured to serve as secretariat.
Learn More
Two resources on the Nechako Watershed you’ll want to check out:
