Watershed Management, Fisheries, Small Streams and Fish-Forestry Interactions

Project Abstract:
Ecosystem-based initiatives such as the Federal government’s implementation of the wild salmon policy and the BC Ministry of Environment's mountain pine beetle ecosystem restoration strategies are currently underway. A workshop on small streams research and management also has recently occurred in Feb 2007. These projects involve numerous organizations such as the federal government, provincial government, and NGOs (e.g., Fraser Basin Council, Pacific Salmon Foundation, etc.).

Given the scope of these projects and the number of organizations involved, there is a need to provide peer assistance to the organizations involved to improve the linkage of information re: science-based management of small streams, fish habitat, salmon species at risk and to support development of sustainable management approaches. A critical component of this project will be to link past scientific knowledge and current research into these integrated watershed management initiatives and to provide extension service support to these varied initiatives.

The goal of this project is to assist the various planning strategies, integrating groups and extending current knowledge related to wild salmon, small streams, ecosystem restoration, and integrated watershed management initiatives to bridge the gap between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management knowledge, policy and practices. As result of this project, priority client needs related to several topic areas will be addressed (e.g., riparian ecology and management, watershed functioning, watershed stewardship, species-at-risk recovery focussing on salmonids, watershed response, and ecological restoration) (Sustainability Program Advisory Committee Priorities 2005).

Activities will likely include:

1. Participation in various discussions around policy and science relating to watersheds including terrestrial, small stream, and large river ecosystems;
2. Identification of existing information related to scientific information/extension needs for salmon conservation and management;
3. Involvement in developing collaborative projects that untilize and include current Watershed Management Extension products such as the Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin, the Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia, and other best practices initiatives; and
4. peer assistance for the continued extension of key results from the Feb 2007 Small Stream workshop (UBC) to organizations (UBC, DFO, MOFR) that are involved in improving science-based management of riparian areas along small streams in the development of sustainable management approaches.

This project will result in increased knowledge and awareness of innovative watershed management research and expertise, and increased science-based knowledge as the basis for management decisions and preparing plans and mitigation strategies.

For further information on this project, please contact robin.pike@forrex.org.