The Nature Trust of British Columbia’s initiative focused on the conservation and climate resilience of 15 crucial estuaries across Vancouver Island, the central coast, and Haida Gwaii has garnered international recognition from the United Nations Ocean Decade program.
This commendation was highlighted by the federal government as a testament to the project’s significant contributions to ocean science and ecosystem preservation in the face of climate change and environmental threats.
Launched in 2019 and supported by both federal and provincial government funding, the Enhancing Estuary Resilience project operates in collaboration with coastal First Nations, academic researchers, and government scientists.
Vancouver Island Estuaries (Credits: menanews)
Over a five-year span, the project aims to study the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on estuary habitats, with a particular focus on bolstering the health of Pacific salmon populations, supporting diverse wildlife, and sustaining Indigenous food systems. Estuaries, vital areas where freshwater meets the sea, are celebrated for their biodiversity and ecological productivity.
They serve critical functions such as sediment filtration, carbon sequestration, and shoreline stabilization, while providing essential habitats for juvenile salmon and a plethora of aquatic species. Land animals, including bears, wolves, and eagles, also rely on these vibrant ecosystems.
Despite their ecological importance, many of B.C.’s most valuable estuaries have suffered from urban development, agricultural conversion, and industrial activities.
These pressures have significantly reduced their natural state, impacting the coastal fish and wildlife that depend on them. The Nature Trust’s project seeks to address these challenges, emphasizing the restoration and preservation of these critical ecosystems.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, praised the project and its partners for their exemplary efforts, highlighting the project’s international recognition as a testament to the impactful science and collaborative work being done on the ground.
The UN’s endorsement underscores the importance of partnerships, especially with First Nations, in driving forward successful ocean science research and ecosystem restoration efforts.
Jason Emery, the conservation land management director at Nature Trust B.C., sees the UN’s acknowledgment as a significant accolade that elevates the project’s global profile.
This recognition opens doors for further scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing, both locally and internationally, to enhance understanding of climate impacts on estuaries and develop effective restoration strategies.
The project has already initiated several ambitious estuary restoration efforts, with plans for additional projects thanks to a recent $3.5 million in government funding extending the initiative until March 2026.
This ongoing work, informed by research on marsh distribution, sediment accumulation, and sea-level rise, aims to identify and bolster the resilience of estuaries against the backdrop of a changing climate.
Rebecca Martone, executive director of the Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre on the B.C. coast, commended the estuary resilience project for embodying the principles of the UN’s Ocean Decade mandate.
She highlighted the project’s emphasis on collaborative science, community involvement, and Indigenous leadership as key factors in its success, contributing not only to the preservation of cultural heritage but also to the enhancement of coastal food security and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.
