Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Watershed Security Fund, a partnership between the First Nations Water Caucus (FNWC), the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC), and the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) has announced the recipients of $6 million in funding under the third round of the WSF Grants Program to 26 community-led projects across British Columbia.
In addition to the $5 million generated from interest earned on the initial $100 million endowment from the Province of B.C., the WSF received a $1 million contribution from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation (HGWF) to support Spring 2026 grants, increasing the grants budget by 20 per cent, a WSF release said.
“Collaboration is at the heart of this work, as we all have a shared responsibility to contribute to the care and preservation of our most sacred source of life — water. It is inspiring to see First Nations, non-governmental organizations, crown governments, industry and local communities come together, through these watershed projects, to support and care for the natural world we all rely on. When we support each other in this work, we support a future with vibrant watersheds and healthy communities,” REFBC board of governors vice-chair Toni Boot said.
Amongst the projects receiving funding is $150,000 to the Soowahlie First Nations to replace existing ineffective flood infrastructure required for community safety and flooding emergency management, improve fish passage and restore habitat for aquatic/terrestrial species, and implementing continued monitoring.
The Redd Fish Restoration Society in partnership with ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) Fisheries, hiškʷiiʔath (Hesquiaht) Fisheries, Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS), is receiving $400,000 to continue work on evaluating and identifying strategies to enhance the recovery of fish and wildlife habitats through watershed-level assessments.
The full list of WSF spring 2026 grant recipients can be viewed here.
