Photo courtesy of Holmalco First Nation. Retrieved from nationalobserver.com
Working with nature, and not against it, a Vancouver Island First Nation is creating a plan to climate-proof its growing community.
The Willow Creek watershed project will restore wetlands and watercourses in the Homalco First Nation’s territory to reduce flooding and other climate disaster risks, but also boost cultural values and sustainable economic development, said Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) Chief Darren Blaney.
Wetlands and riparian areas are critical because they slow and store water moving across the landscape during heavy rains to prevent floods and reduce the wildfire risk created when forests dry out.
The Xwémalhkwu, whose territory is in the Campbell River area, recently secured $1.5 million in provincial funding for watershed mapping to identify flood risks and environmentally important areas, Blaney said. The project will focus on balancing the community’s climate resiliency with ecological needs.
“Salmon is an important component,” Blaney said, noting better stream habitat leads to more fish and helps bears — results which are consistent with Xwémalhkwu values.