The Bulkley-Morice Healthy Watersheds Initiative riparian restoration project completed its first phase in the Upper Bulkley and Upper Morice basins in 2021. This project is meant as a starting point for long-term activities related to watershed restoration both within Wet’suwet’en traditional territory and more broadly in the upper Skeena watershed.

Northwest Research and Monitoring, in collaboration with the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust, received funding from the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI) for riparian restoration, watershed education and outreach in the Upper Bulkley and Morice area. The Bulkley-Morice project will complete the first phase of a multi-year riparian restoration project in the Upper Bulkley and Upper Morice basins.

The Healthy Watersheds Initiative is a Watersheds BC and Real Estate Foundation of BC program investing in watershed conservation and restoration projects, while strengthening relationships with First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations.

Three sites located along the Upper Bulkley River approximately 20 km east of Houston were restored through live Willow staking and streambank stabilization. Posts were pushed in to "pin" the bank in place and Willow wattle fencing was wound around the posts to prevent future loss of soil during flooding events. Erosion mats were placed around the posts and live Willow stakes planted behind the posts.

CICK Roaming Journalist Laura Guillon spoke to members of the Whanau Forestry crew to discuss the completed phase one of the project.