By 2030, all freshwater ecosystems in British Columbia will be in good health as a result of world-class leadership in watershed governance
OUR VISION
BC Water Legacy advances this vision by supporting projects that bring together governments, water users and community interests at the watershed scale to make better decisions for the benefit of water, and everything that depends on it.
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This is a critical time for strengthening water protections in the province and, in the process, forging new partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments in support of reconciliation and new models of shared governance.
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As our common life source, fresh water is a truly collective resource. By working together, we can achieve a more sustainable future for our shared home waters. This is the essence of watershed governance, and the inspiration behind BC Water Legacy.
Droughts, floods and wildfires are becoming more prevalent in British Columbia and around the world. Threats to drinking water, fish health and economic productivity are growing. Competition and conflicts over water are more frequent. British Columbia—a place where clean, plentiful water has historically been taken for granted—is no longer immune to
global water challenges.
Problem
In response to these challenges, First Nations, local governments and community organizations are protecting their local rivers,
lakes and aquifers.
At the same time, the provincial government’s recently modernized water law—the Water Sustainability Act—promises new tools for watershed governance. These tools enable decision makers to better integrate local knowledge and perspectives in land use planning and water management, reducing water conflicts and increasing
economic security.