RESTORE THE SHORE
AKA Central Estuary Restoration Project
An act of reconciliation for the original stewards and knowledge-keepers of this land, and the wildlife that has thrived here in the past.
After successfully modifying 300 metre of the Squamish River training berm in winter 2022, the project will be continuing with the remaining 550 metres of the training berm beginning in February 2023.
This phase of the project is anticipated to be complete in May 2023.
At A Glance
The Restore the Shore project (formerly known as Central Estuary Restoration Project) is being led by a collective, including the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Squamish River Watershed Society (SWRS) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The project is generously funded by partners including the Coastal Restoration Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Healthy Watersheds Initiative and the BC Hydro Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).
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Restore The Shore
WHAT WE DO
Restoring the estuary for future generations
THE RESTORE THE SHORE PROJECT
Over 3,650 square kilometers of coastal rainforest drain into the Skwelwil'em Squamish estuary, which is created by the flow of the Squamish River into Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound. The Restore the Shore project is re-naturalizing over 144 hectares of this valuable estuarine habitat - equivalent to the size of over 200 soccer fields - for endangered Chinook salmon and the interconnected ecosystems that they support.
WHY ARE ESTUARIES IMPORTANT
The project aims to restore vitally important estuarine habitat for endangered Chinook salmon. Salmon stocks have plummeted from 100,000s to 10,000s as the estuary provides a safe haven and protective nursery for juvenile Chinook, along with the interconnected ecosystem including endangered Southern Resident orcas, eagles, bears, dolphins and birds. It is also an act of reconciliation for the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), the original stewards and knowledge-keepers of this land, and the wildlife that has thrived here in the past.
WHAT THIS RESTORATION PROJECT INVOLVES
The restoration measures for Restore the Shore build on 20 years of habitat restoration in the estuary, and are informed by the SRWS’s monitoring program to address the ongoing impacts of the training berm and rail spur line in the estuary. They were developed by the SRWS in consultation with project partners, the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.