Envisioning a watershed that is healthy for generations to come
July 2020
First Nations Representatives Needed for Core Committee
The Nechako Watershed Roundtable Core Committee has two seats open for First Nations representatives.
First Nations government candidates are nominated by their respective organizations. Candidates subsequently submit to the Nechako Watershed Roundtable an application (available from the Secretariat) and a formal letter of appointment from their organization. Current Core Committee members will decide on the approval of incoming members.
For more about the NWR Core Committee structure, function and member recruitment, see:
On April 22, members of the Nechako Watershed Roundtable virtually gathered at the NWR Spring Meeting, held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The meeting included an update and overview of recent Roundtable operations, and attendees heard from Mike Robertson (Cheslatta Carrier Nation) and Lori Borth (BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development) on a panel titled "Updates on Watershed Partnerships and Governance in the Nechako." The meeting concluded with a question and discussion period, and some additional updates on other initiatives happening in the watershed. The NWR is grateful to all who attended and participated in the meeting.
Topics on the agenda were:
The New Day Agreement between the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and Rio Tinto Alcan
The Cheslatta Nation Settlement Agreement
The Pathways 2.0 Agreement
Youth Engagement Research and Updates
Flood Response and Restoration Partnerships
Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative during COVID-19
The Nechako Watershed — a magnificent river system in north-central BC — is facing significant challenges such as wildfire and drought, 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 has drafted a Nechako Watershed Strategy (Full Report | Summary) and intends to undertake and advise on water stewardship activities in the Nechako River Basin.
Roundtable Participants
Participants in annual meetings of the Roundtable have included:
BC Wildfire Service
Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council
Cheslatta Carrier Nation
CIRC - UNBC
City of Prince George
Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium, University of Northern BC
District of Vanderhoof
District of Fort St. James
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Forest Practices Board
Fraser Basin Council
Fraser-Fort George Regional District
Integrated Watershed Research Group, University of Northern BC
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Nadleh Wh'uten
Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Nechako Valley Sporting Association
Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Society
New Gold-Blackwater Project
Northern Health
Office of MLA John Rustad
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Regional District of Fraser Fort George
Saik’uz First Nation
School District 91
Steelhead Society of BC
Village of Burns Lake
Funding Support
Funding to support the Nechako Watershed Roundtable operations and projects has been generously provided by the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the Fraser Basin Council, the City of Prince George, the Village of Burns Lake, the District of Vanderhoof, the District of Fort St. James, the Village of Fraser Lake, the Fraser-Fort George Regional District Electoral Areas A and C, and the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District Electoral Areas B, C, D, E, F.
This financial support has complemented and leveraged significant in-kind contributions from Core Committee members, partner organizations and Roundtable participants.
Terms of Reference, Structure and Core Committee
The Nechako Watershed Roundtable is a collaborative initiative to protect and improve the health of the Nechako watershed for future generations. The 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.
To learn more about the Nechako Watershed Roundtable, see the Terms of Reference document, which includes a mission, objectives, guiding principles and structure for the work of the Roundtable and its core committee.
Contact Us
The Fraser Basin Council and UNBC serve in partnership as secretariat for the Roundtable.
For more information, please contact:
NWR Coordinator: E: | T: 250 960-6409
Lindsay Sackett: E: | T: 250 612-0252
LEARN ABOUT US
Interested in knowing more about the Nechako watershed and about the work of the Roundtable?
The Nechako Watershed Roundtable’s fourth annual roundtable meeting was held October 30, 2019 in the home of the Nak’azdli Whut’en in Fort St. James.
The day covered activities of the Nechako Watershed Roundtable members and knowledge-sharing on forest biodiversity and health, Indigenous salmon stewardship and youth engagement.
What's new in the Nechako? The video "Stream Monitoring for Change" for one thing! Grade 12 students at Nechako Valley Secondary School led the video production to showcase a stream monitoring program of School District 91 in Vanderhoof. Take a look to see how ecosystems and community health in the watershed are connected and to hear insights from students, teachers and community members.
The video was created in collaboration with a team member from UNBC's Integrated Watershed Research Group and is possible thanks to funding from the Rivershed Society of British Columbia.
Discussion focused on NWR activities, watershed health, response to wildfire events and risks to watershed health associated with them.
Statement of Concern
On October 19 the NWR Core Committee issued a statement to express concern for the health of the Nechako watershed following a decade of unprecedented wildfire and other changes in the watershed. Read the statement.
Watershed Strategy
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:
