Planting the Seeds for a Healthier Louis Creek and Stronger Salmon Habitat
Louis Creek is a high-value salmon-bearing stream within Simpcw First Nation’s traditional territory. Winding through forests, agricultural lands and small communities, the creek is an important part of a diverse and interconnected watershed. It provides important habitat where Coho, Chinook, and trout can lay their eggs, and where young fish can feed, grow, and develop.
A Watershed Under Pressure
Over the years, logging, agriculture and other development activities have reduced the plants and trees along streams and increased erosion, putting more pressure on fish and their habitat. Climate change has added to these challenges, as summer droughts and low water levels can make the water warmer, disconnect fish habitat, and leave fish trapped in shallow pools or isolated areas where they may not be able to return to the main stream.
Eroded streambank along Louis Creek. (Photo Credit: Secwépemc Fisheries Commission)
Chinook salmon in Louis Creek have declined over time. (Photo Credit: Secwépemc Fisheries Commission)
Restoring Habitat on the Ground
With support from the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF), native trees were planted at a priority site along Louis Creek in summer 2024, helping restore vegetation along the stream and improve fish habitat. Cages were also installed to help the new vegetation grow by preventing damage from wildlife and farm animals.
Native trees planted along Louis Creek and protected with cages. (Photo Credit: Secwépemc Fisheries Commission)
A Shared Vision for Louis Creek
ISF support also helped the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission bring together local conservation groups, Indigenous communities and landowners for a community stewardship meeting. The meeting created a space for participants to share their perspectives, priorities and concerns for the watershed, while exchanging knowledge and exploring ways to improve fish habitat and watershed health.
Louis Creek Community Stewardship Meeting. (Photo Credit: Secwépemc Fisheries Commission)
The discussions highlighted the need for continued collaboration beyond the meeting, including renewed interest in establishing a local caretaker group to support long-term stewardship of Louis Creek. Building on past and ongoing First Nation-led stewardship work, the Commission developed a community-based restoration plan that identifies priority areas and opportunities to restore habitat and improve water management across the watershed.
The work at Louis Creek is about more than restoring habitat. It is about carrying forward a responsibility to care for the watershed. By meaningfully bringing diverse groups with a shared interest in the watershed to the table, restoring streamside habitat and planning for the future, these efforts are strengthening Indigenous-led stewardship and helping protect the salmon and waters that have sustained Simpcw communities since time immemorial. Together, this work reflects a commitment to keeping Louis Creek healthy and resilient for generations to come.
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.
