Federal funds to restore wetlands

MP Patrick Weiler closed off his Nov. 12 Zoom call with the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce by highlighting a federal grant to restore wetlands in the Old Sechelt Mine wildfire area, adjacent to West Sechelt.
The British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) will be receiving $85,000 for work near the site of the 2015 wildfire. BCCF will undertake the project in partnership with the shíshálh Nation.
The federal money comes from its EcoAction Community Funding Program. The Sechelt area wetland and habitat restoration effort was one of 53 program projects announced by Weiler and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, earlier that day.
All of the projects focus on protecting the health and quality of water. The total value of the projects announced was approximately $4 million.
In a press release, Sechelt area project leader, Dr. Michelle Evelyn, explained that with the federal and other matching funds, BCCF will be able to hire a field team. This will include a biologist and an excavator to dig the new wetlands and plant native vegetation like reeds, rushes, willows and shrubs. This work is anticipated to have the added benefit of creating new habitat for wildlife.
“We are so grateful for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s support of our project, which takes place on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the shíshálh (Sechelt) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. In partnership with EcoAction, we are thrilled to embark on this project to improve freshwater ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast,” said Evelyn.
Also, in the release, Wilkinson stated, “Our government is pleased to invest in these community-driven projects aimed at protecting water, creating habitat for wildlife and supporting good local jobs. Just like we did during this pandemic, it is heartening to see Canadians come together through the EcoAction program to safeguard the health of our ecosystem, now and for future generations.”
The release quoted Weiler stating, “Our government is proud to support the work of the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, whose project will employ six community members and work with the shíshálh to restore wetlands in West Sechelt that were destroyed by forest fires and logging activity. Through the EcoAction initiative, we are working together with trusted delivery partners to restore sensitive ecosystems, rehabilitate our environment and create jobs in our communities during this difficult time.” Connie Jordison