The Nanwakolas 50 Watersheds project is a pioneering science partnership aiming to develop tools to address the threats posed by climate change and forest management on salmon habitats. This project focuses on the territories of the Mamalilikulla, Tlowitsis, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge), and K’ómoks First Nations.
The Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network Guardians play a crucial role in the fieldwork, conducting hands-on, practical tasks. They uphold the cultural context of the project while bridging the research and monitoring efforts across their territories. As local experts, they bring deep knowledge of their lands, waters, and ecosystems.
An Exemplary Effort: This summer, a field crew including Wei Wai Kum First Nation Guardians visited the Apple River watershed by helicopter, the only feasible means of access. This visit allowed the Wei Wai Kum Guardians to gain firsthand knowledge of the glacier’s current condition in this changing climate.
The Guardians installed a stream temperature gauge at the watershed’s outlet. The Apple River watershed, having the most glaciers of any watershed in the study, is a key focus. This step enables the team to assess whether glaciers provide a cooling effect on downstream waters, where salmon enter the river to spawn. Such information is crucial for predicting the impact of glaciers on stream temperatures across other territories.
This initiative not only supports salmon conservation but also strengthens the connection between scientific research and Indigenous knowledge, fostering a collaborative approach to environmental stewardship.
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