| As we enter into the summer months, we acknowledge the ongoing challenges communities face with wildfires, drought, and flooding and the lasting impacts these events can have on communities, the land, and our watersheds. We continue to strengthen our commitments to watersheds and bring together the voices, values, and visions of many as we strive for the long-term health of our ecosystems and the well-being of future generations. In this newsletter you will find: 2025/2026 WSF Annual Report Grants Intake – Fall 2026 Announcement Engagement with Crown Governments Project Stories |
| Photo credit: Wet’suwet’en Treaty Office, Rebuilding giis: Chinook salmon in the Widzin Kwa project |
| Grant Program & Fund News |
| Annual Report 2025 – 2026 |
| We are thrilled to share the Watershed Security Fund’s Annual Report 2025-2026. Over the past year, the First Nations Water Caucus, the First Nations Fisheries Council, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC have made significant progress as interim stewards for the WSF, advancing watershed security through collaboration, openness, shared learning, and respect. This approach has been central to co-developing all areas of work for the Fund, and responding to community identified needs and priorities for healthy watersheds through funded projects. The report highlights key milestones and outcomes from our third year of co-developing the WSF. |
| Annual Report |
| Fall 2026 Grants Intake Our next grant intake will open from October 5, 2026 – November 10, 2026, with funds flowing to communities in spring 2027. To learn more please visit our website. Learn More |
| Photo credit: Watershed Security Fund, Provincial Engagement, Victoria |
| Engagements |
| Provincial Engagement A delegation of WSF staff and Joint Executive engaged with elected officials in Victoria from April 27-28 to share updates on the WSF. This engagement provided an opportunity to increase understanding of the WSF, strengthen relationships, and build provincial support for a federal investment in the WSF. |
| Environmental Funders Canada Conference WSF staff joined environmental funders from across Canada at the 2026 Environment Funders Canada National Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Staff had an opportunity to share and engage with peers and practitioners on the development and early impacts of the WSF during a dedicated session on water security. |
| Communities are doing amazing work that prioritizes the health of our waterways, centres First Nations rights and knowledge, and reinforces lasting relationships by working together to ensure healthy watersheds for generations. Read the stories below to learn more about some of the work that is happening to support watersheds in BC. Solutions and Resilience in the Skeena Watershed |
| The Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition is working to protect the Skeena Watershed and conserve wild salmon through research, education, and community-based stewardship grounded in cultural heritage—recognizing that stewardship is not only ecological but relational. |
| Read the Story |
| Working together to map Chinook salmon habitat & identify thermal refugia in the Coldwater River |
| Raincoast Conservation Foundation, in partnership with Scw’exmx Tribal Council and Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, are working together to support the long-term resiliency of Chinook salmon in the Coldwater River through mapping salmon habitat & identify thermal refugia in the river. |
| Read the Story |
| Redd Fish society works with Hesquiaht, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht to restore salmon habitat |
| Redd Fish Restoration Society, in partnership with the Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, are restoring salmon habitats and watersheds prioritized by the nations. The restoration work is built on a decade of detailed assessments and monitoring of the watersheds and ecosystems to understand the issues that are limiting salmon recovery. |
| Read the Story |
| Watershed stewards make a splash at the REFBC Land Awards |
| On June 4, 2026, REFBC honoured projects and individuals leading the way to more sustainable, equitable, and socially just relationships between lands, waters, and people. We’d like to extend congratulations to the winner and finalists in the Fresh Water category that recognizes projects that protect, restore, or steward watersheds and ensure rivers, lakes, and wetlands are healthy and valued. |
| Learn More |
| Photo credit: Semiahmoo First Nation, La kw’e híkw íyáqt: Holistically improving the Tatalu Watershed project |
| Looking Ahead |
| We are uplifted by the breadth of work that is taking place across the province that highlights how communities are coming together to protect, restore, and safeguard the watersheds they depend on. We look forward to sharing more updates in the coming months on our efforts to grow the fund, explore options for a permanent co-governed entity that will hold the fund in the long-term, and advance other areas of work. If you haven’t already, we would love for you to join us and stay connected by subscribing to our social media accounts on your preferred platform! |
| Warmly, The Watershed Security Fund Team |
| The Watershed Security Fund was established in 2023 by the Province of B.C. through an initial contribution of $100 million, made available as an endowment to support watershed projects through interest earned on the Fund. This initial contribution is currently generating about $3-5 million annually to fund watershed work. The First Nations Water Caucus – with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) acting as its secretariat – and the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) are honoured to collaborate as partners in this inspiring, impactful, and healing work. Together we provide interim stewardship and support the co-development of a permanent entity for the Fund. |
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Watershed Security Fund
