Summary

• The Province has provided $500,000 to support the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project
• Work will focus on restoring 70 hectares of natural marshland in the Cowichan watershed, the largest estuary restoration to take place on Vancouver Island
• The project is happening in a partnership with the Province, the Nature Trust of BC, Cowichan Tribes and other long-term project partners

__________

The Province is working with partners to restore 70 hectares of the Cowichan Estuary, improving watershed health in the Cowichan Valley.

This project is designed to advance Indigenous stewardship, strengthen resilience to climate change and protect biodiversity in the area.

“Estuaries like this are part of what makes the Cowichan Valley one of the most beautiful and vibrant regions in British Columbia,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Once restored, this habitat will help neighbouring communities and farmlands become more resilient to flooding, strengthen local food systems, and support thriving ecosystems for the plants and wildlife that depend on them, now and for generations to come.”

The Province has provided $500,000 to support the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project. Work for this project will be done in partnership between the Nature Trust of BC and Cowichan Tribes. Long-term partnerships and funding partners that have contributed to this project include the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Once completed, the project will improve the biodiversity and health of this ecosystem, which is a vital habitat for salmon, shellfish, other aquatic wildlife and plants on one of the most-important chinook salmon rivers on Vancouver Island. It will also improve the local areas with resilience to climate change and floods.

Estuaries and resilience to flood

Reducing long-term flood risks is one of the primary goals of restoring the Cowichan Estuary. Restored and functioning marshlands absorb floodwater, buffer storm surges and improve resilience to sea-level rise. Without the restoration project, 60% of the marsh habitat in the estuary could be lost due to predicted sea-level rise.

Supporting biodiversity and Indigenous food systems

The Cowichan Valley watershed supports fish, animals and plants people rely on. Restoring marshlands will strengthen food security in the region by:

• protecting fish and wildlife
• supporting culturally important foods
• sustaining the land and water communities rely on

Cowichan Tribes Elders’ and members’ knowledge and leadership in the design of this project are vital to the restoration’s success. They are guiding the use of the land for planting culturally significant plants that will serve to restore habitat in the estuary, plus contribute to the food security of their people and the wider community.

The work that needs to be done

Work to restore the estuary is underway. Planned outcomes include:

• creating and improving habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife throughout the estuary
• completing environmental improvements and restoring natural areas
• expanding the Hulitun Spulhxun/Tumuhw (Nurturing Fields) plant nursery to grow more native plants
• monitoring groundwater conditions to better understand and support the health of the estuary
• improving visitor access and experiences with upgraded trails, new signage, and a viewing platform

This work supports the long-term health and resilience of B.C.’s watersheds, habitats and outdoor spaces that benefit people, wildlife and the environment.

Quotes:

Chief Sulsulxumaat, Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes –

“This project reflects generations of Quw'utsun stewardship and the responsibility we carry to care for these lands and waters. By restoring the connections between the estuary's lands, waters, plants, fish, and people, we are strengthening Indigenous food systems, supporting healthier habitats and creating opportunities for our children and grandchildren to reconnect with the harvesting practices that have sustained Quw'utsun Mustimuhw since time immemorial.”

Tom Reid, West Coast conservation land manager, The Nature Trust of British Columbia –

“The Nature Trust of B.C. is deeply grateful for the Province's support of this project. This partnership reflects our collective commitment to working together in a meaningful, collaborative way – ensuring these ecosystems remain resilient for the future, supporting not only fish and wildlife, but the coastal communities that depend on them for food, medicine and nature-based solutions to the ongoing threats of coastal flooding and sea level rise.”

Matt Christensen, manager of provincial operations, B.C., Ducks Unlimited Canada –

“Ducks Unlimited Canada and our partners have actively worked to conserve, restore, and steward the Cowichan Estuary since the early 1980s. This vital ecosystem supports diverse wildlife, while delivering essential community benefits, including flood resilience. A collaborative, science-based approach has been, and will continue to be, essential for the long-term health of the estuary. We are grateful for the Province’s investment as we advance this work together.”

Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), MLA for Cowichan Valley –

“In restoring the Cowichan Estuary, the largest estuary restoration project on Vancouver Island, project partners are taking a significant step in preserving and stewarding vital salmon, shellfish, bird and plant habitats from being eroded by climate change. Creating strong relationships between Quw’utsun, project partners, governments and community members has brought many teaching about Indigenous food systems and a deep connection to the land that will thrive for future generations as the estuary’s health improves.”

Quick Facts:

• Estuaries make up 2.3% of B.C.’s coast, but support more than 80% of all coastal fish and wildlife at some stage of their life cycle, including wild Pacific salmon, steelhead, shorebirds, waterfowl, short-eared owls, grizzly bears and orcas, as well as many commercially and recreationally important fish stocks, including herring, crabs, clams, oysters and other forage-fish species.
• In June 2026, the project received the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Land Award for Food Sovereignty, which is presented every two years to recognize leadership in protecting lands and waters and advancing sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.

Learn More:

• To learn more about The Nature Trust of BC, visit: https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/
• To learn more about Ducks Unlimited Canada, visit: https://www.ducks.ca/
• To learn more about Cowichan Tribes, visit: https://cowichantribes.com/ 
• To learn more about conservation lands, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=86B8F7DF9EAB4C52BFE00698C3597263
• To learn more about the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project, visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3fe2a2c09cd84baeb9c60cb6cd9feee8