Watershed Communications

Year 2010
Proponent Baker Creek Enhancement Society
Project type Engagement
FSWP funding source DFO Fraser Basin Initiative
Grant amount $3,501.00
Total project value $7,301.00
ID number FSWP10-D38-G

Location: Cariboo-Chilcotin, Quesnel and Cariboo Regional District

Project Summary

SUMMARY

To facilitate one on one, regular “watershed conversations” between Baker Creek Enhancement Society and targeted representatives within the community.  These “watershed conversations” will: 1. increase information exchange2. provide better background information
3. provide better decision making 4. provide better informed priority setting5.  facilitate relationship building for Baker Creek Enhancement Society, City of Quesnel, Cariboo Regional District, local First Nations Government, and the Indo Canadian Community and other cultural communities in the Quesnel region.

OVERVIEW


Baker Creek Enhancement Society is a grass roots organization that has been providing watershed services (restoration, representation, stewardship, community engagement, support for other watershed groups) for 15 and _ years.  A number of the services that we provide are dependent on conversations, provision of information and representation at different meetings.  Some of this is done by volunteer directors, but there is a lot that is required by staff that have the detailed knowledge of issues to take advantage of a focused information exchange.

It has been requested by C.R.D. staff, directors and City of Quesnel staff and councilors to have regular “conversations” with our society, so that they can be updated on issues, resources, and future plans and provide updates to us on the same topics.

In the past our society has tried engaging First Nations, and other cultural communities with limited success.  BCES decided that a more concentrated effort towards building relationships with decision makers and making more formal contacts at a very grass roots level could provide some opportunities for further success in our regional watersheds.

OBJECTIVES

Objective #1 To have bi monthly meetings with 2 CRD contacts (staff and directors) and 2 Municipal contacts (1 staff, 1 counselor )

Objective #2 To make 1 or more First Nations contacts,  1 Indo Canadian contact contact for “watershed discussions”
Objective #3 To have bi monthly meetings with 1 or more First Nations contact,  1 Indo Canadian contact on watershed issues.


METHODS

Regular meetings at City Hall with staff and councilor for 1 hour, regular meeting with C.R.D. directors over coffee and over the phone with C.R.D. staff (as they are based in Williams Lake).

Have made initial contact with Stuart Alec, Natural Resources for Nazko Band and will ask for further help in identifying other bands that have a natural resources portfolios that may be interested in regular meetings. 

Will approach individuals (City Councilor) from the Indo Canadian community to find out who may be interested in discussing local watershed issues.

BENEFITS

This project will provide the structure necessary to increase the depth and breadth of communications and actions required around regional watershed issues.  The relationships developed and information shared will continue to impact priority setting and decision making through BCES and the partners listed in this project.  It is hoped that this increased knowledge will better protect salmon and salmon habitat and perhaps provide some new directions for enhancement of the resource.


Engage First Nations, government agencies and community groups/NGOs

One on one contacts and regular meetings

Complement or implement local and / or regional plans (e.g., recovery plans, watershed plans)

BCES is involved in All land use and regional planning initiatives related to watersheds including development permits for the City of Quesnel.  The information gathered through this process will be used directly in local, regional and basin wide plans by
BCES and our partners.

Value-added aspects

This definitely builds the capacity for collaboration of efforts towards watershed protection and enhancement.  The information exchange alone will strengthen all parties involved and support all of us in meeting our individual mandates.



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