About Us

Rooted in Community, Driven by Restoration

Who We Are

The Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition is a registered charity dedicated to the health and resilience of watersheds throughout the Fraser Valley. Since 1997, we’ve been working with local communities, First Nations, landowners, youth, schools, and partners to restore streams, protect salmon habitat, and support thriving ecosystems.

We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by a passionate team of restoration professionals. We collaborate across sectors, including non-profits, universities, and all levels of government, to make restoration real, visible, and community-powered.

Whether we’re planting native trees, building fish habitat, or leading watershed education programs, we believe every action, big or small, can make a difference.

Our Work Our Team Our Partners

Mission, Vision, and Purpose

Our Vision

We envision a future where healthy watersheds sustain thriving ecosystems, resilient communities, and a deep connection between people and nature. By protecting and restoring rivers, streams, and wetlands, we believe it’s possible to create a legacy of balance, abundance, and belonging.

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster environmental stewardship through science-based restoration, community collaboration, and hands-on action. We empower individuals, schools, and partners to care for local watersheds and protect the natural resources we all depend on.

Our Purpose

As a registered charity, we exist to protect and restore the Fraser Valley’s watersheds through meaningful public engagement, community leadership, and science-driven action. Our work connects people to place, inspiring collective responsibility for vibrant, resilient ecosystems that will thrive for generations to come.

Our Story

Since the late 1990s, the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition has evolved through four key phases, from grassroots beginnings to becoming a regional leader in watershed restoration.

Phase 1: Foundations (1997–2002)

FVWC was created in 1997 as a regional delivery agent under Fisheries Renewal BC. Our role was to help deliver funding for fish habitat restoration across the Fraser Valley, supporting local projects that made a real difference for streams, salmon, and communities.

In 2000, we received the Fraser Basin Council’s Caring for Ecosystems Award, a meaningful recognition of our impact during these early years.

When Fisheries Renewal BC funding was cancelled in 2002, we lost our main source of support, but not our sense of purpose.

Phase 2 (2002–2005)

This was a transitional period for the FVWC where there was no funding, but the core group of dedicated members remained.

Phase 3 (2005–2019)

In 2005, FVWC officially became a registered Society through a partnership with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), with support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).

Thanks to this partnership, we were able to jointly fund our first full-time Watershed Coordinator, a huge step that helped us grow our programs and deepen our presence across the region.

In 2010, we became a registered Canadian charity, opening up new opportunities to connect with more communities, build stronger partnerships, and expand our restoration work.

Over the years, we’ve worked alongside First Nations, landowners, volunteers, governments, schools, and local organizations, and have been recognized for that work: in 2016, we received the Abbotsford Environmental Leadership Award for our Browne Creek Wetland project, and in 2019, the Mission Rotary Club Environmental Stewardship Award.

Phase 4 (2019–Present)

In recent years, we’ve been building toward long-term sustainability.

We developed a strategic plan for our programs and priorities, and completed an HR and Human Capital review to help strengthen our internal systems and support a growing, skilled team.

Today, FVWC continues to bring people together to care for the creeks, rivers, and natural systems that sustain life in the Fraser Valley. Every project, every partnership, and every planting is part of our shared commitment to healthy watersheds and thriving communities.

Core Values

Integration

Understanding that land, water, air, and living organisms are interconnected.

We understand that land, water, air, and living organisms are all part of one connected system. We support watershed well-being by considering environmental, social, and economic relationships together.

Collaboration

Working together to achieve more for our watersheds.

We bring communities, organizations, and agencies together. We foster open communication, shared goals, and a non-adversarial spirit of cooperation.

Action

Turning awareness into hands-on impact.

We aim to inspire and support real, hands-on stewardship. From local events to long-term projects, we help people take action that improves watershed health.

Conservation and Restoration

Protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems.

Through education and hands-on work, we focus on conserving, restoring, and enhancing natural spaces, building healthier watersheds for the long term.

Inclusiveness

Everyone has a role in protecting our watersheds.

We welcome and encourage the involvement of all communities and individuals across the Fraser Valley. Everyone has a role to play in protecting our shared home.

Scientific Knowledge

Blending science and traditional perspectives.

We draw from both scientific and traditional knowledge. These perspectives help us plan, learn, and act with care and understanding.

Respect

Honoring community needs and relationships.

We recognize the needs, voices, and responsibilities of others. In every interaction, we bring empathy, thoughtfulness, and respect.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition (FVWC) provides an equitable work environment for staff, contractors, volunteers, partners and members. The FVWC does not advocate, support or practice unlawful discrimination based on race, religion, age, national origin, status, language, sex, sexual preference, or disability for all its operational and organizational activities.

Land Acknowledgement

Our work takes place within Stó:lō Téméxw , the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Stó:lō and Coast Salish peoples, including the Leq’á:mel, Máthxwi, Semá:th, Sq’éwlets, Sts’ailes, Pelólxw, Tiyt, and Kwantlen Tribes. We recognize and respect the deep, ongoing relationships that Indigenous communities have with the watersheds in the Fraser Valley. They have cared for these lands and waters for thousands of years.

We recognize that land acknowledgments must go beyond words. We are committed to learning, building respectful relationships, and ensuring that our restoration and conservation work aligns with Indigenous stewardship values and priorities. We strive to listen, collaborate, and support Indigenous-led efforts that protect and restore the land and waters we all depend on.

Stay Connected

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