Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nation (KCFN) Restores Habitat Along the Kauwinch River
Historic logging along the Kauwinch River has damaged streamside habitats, causing bank erosion and sediment buildup that affect salmon spawning and rearing.
Restoring Habitat in a Remote Watershed
The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nation (KCFN) is leading efforts to improve habitat along the Kauwinch River for future generations. Located in a remote watershed accessible only by boat, the project brings crews into parts of the river they had not previously reached.
With three-year support from the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF), KCFN is restoring streamside habitat by thinning dense vegetation (conifer release: removing competing plants to help conifer trees grow) along the riverbanks, planting native trees, installing willow stakes and brush layers to stabilize eroding banks.
Streamside restoration sites along the Kauwinch River. (Photo Credit: Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nation (KCFN))
Monitoring Recovery and Supporting Stewardship
Restoration progress will be tracked through insect monitoring, vegetation surveys and photo documentation to measure how habitats recover over time. Early work is already underway, with crews completing site layout and collecting baseline tree data to support long-term monitoring. The project also supports hands-on learning and knowledge sharing for KCFN members, strengthening skills and long-term stewardship.
ISF is proud to be the first funder of this work, helping make it possible for KCFN to restore habitat for salmon and other wildlife. Together, this work supports a healthier Kauwinch River and strengthens watershed resilience.
The Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) works in close partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC), which serves as a frontline organization for collaboration with First Nations across British Columbia. FNFC leads relationship-building and engagement with more than 200 First Nations across the province, listening to and identifying Nations’ interests, priorities and perspectives. ISF complements this work by serving as the funding mechanism that helps turn those relationships and priorities into action. Together, FNFC and ISF ensure that the leadership, needs and priorities of BC First Nations are met with flexible and accessible resources that support Indigenous-led stewardship, habitat protection and long-term environmental resilience.
