Projects
Skeena Watershed Initiative
SkeenaWild is currently working with a diverse range of interests in building a fisheries management shared decision making process in the Skeena watershed. First Nations, commercial interests, recreational interests, conservation organizations, federal and provincial governments, working together, have recently started the Skeena Watershed Initiative (SWI) which is intended to lay the foundation for this new management process. On April 11th, 2008 this diverse group hosted an information session in Terrace to inform all interests about the SWI and explore interest in moving forward. Out of that session came a clear will and direction to move forward. SkeenaWild believes that this current and developing cooperation holds enormous potential for dealing with the difficulties and uncertainties we face in this watershed around fisheries management. If successful, this process has the capacity to unite this watershed in the long term interest of salmon and the diverse communities which depend upon them.
Economic Development
Central to our conservation ethic is the belief that communities need to remain tied to wild salmon. We think the best way to ensure this is to maintain and enhance people’s economic ties to the resource. SkeenaWild recently hired Greg Taylor to help harvesters build capacity in the marine and in river commercial fisheries. Greg will also utilize the Pacific Salmon Foundations Skeena Economic Development Study findings to help inform the commercial community of opportunities to improve the current fisheries viability in these times of difficulty.
Skeena Salmon Culture Map
We have recently undertaken a mapping project with the help of Ecotrust to produce a salmon cultural map of the Skeena watershed. This map is meant to inform residents and visitors of our rich salmon heritage and build understanding of the significance of this resource to our region.
Book – People of the Skeena
SkeenaWild will also be working with Ecotrust to produce a book about the people who have dedicated their lives to the Skeena and its salmon.