toqʷanǝn (Theodosia) Salmon Restoration Project
For many years Tla’amin Nation (TN) has been seeking opportunities to restore historic salmon runs in the ʔəms giȷ̌ɛ (territory) to promote stewardship and support food security. The toqʷanən (Theodosia) Salmon Restoration Project was born from this desire and its goal is to restore salmon fish habitat in the lower toqʷanǝn to support the Pacific salmon populations in the watershed by promoting fish passage at low flows. Furthermore, this Project relates to the broader initial goal the Nation is pursuing regarding stewardship (CNP Goal 15) and food security (CNP Goal 19).
This project has improved Tla’amin understanding of the quality and capacity of aquatic habitats for fish through Fisheries Habitat Assessment Protocols. Additionally, we have constructed through low-tech process-based restoration Beaver Dam Analogues across side-channels and tributaries. These will benefit fish by elevating water tables and help with water availability during hot, dry summers which will improve overall productivity for ƛoχʷay (chum) and χɛyt̓ᶿɛqʷ (coho).
In August 2025, 63 log structures were placed into the river with a helicopter. The log structures were installed in places in the river that lack complexity and cause issues for fish passage at low flows. Over time, these structures will promote better habitat structure for migrating adults, rearing smolts, and spawning salmon. We expect the log structures will promote deeper pools as the river scours the ground over time.
Additionally, crews have planted cottonwood, willow and dogwood in gravel bars in the lower toqʷanən. This restoration technique accelerates the transformation of gravel bars into functioning riparian forest habitats, reducing erosion, initiating ecological succession, trapping sediment and debris, all creating complexity in fish habitat.
This is a Tla’amin-led project that is funded by the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund.
Rewater toqʷanən Project
Tla’amin Nation-led project that will include collaborative planning and watershed assessment activities to inform options for re-watering toqʷanən to support salmon and ɬaʔamɩn qayɛmɩxʷ (Tla’amin people). The project’s goals are 1) conduct watershed assessment activities to fill knowledge gaps; and 2) develop defensible, feasible, and actionable pathways for the re-watering of toqʷanǝn to support salmon and salmon habitat. The following outcomes are anticipated:
- Increased understanding of current conditions in toqʷanǝn with respect to hydrology, sediment, water quantity, climate resilience, and fish flow requirements for overall watershed health
- Identification of options for rewatering that would benefit salmon and salmon habitat in the lower toqʷanǝn
This project is funded by Watershed Security Fund.
Tla’amin Kelp Nursery
Tla’amin Nation has embarked on an ambitious new initative to enhance and restore kelp populations within ʔəms giȷ̌ɛ. The project aims to cultivate, restore and steward kelp beds, ensuring the sustainability of vital marine resources for years to come.
Kelp is a vitally important vertical habitat for fish and invertebrates within ʔəms giȷ̌ɛ. It sustains traditional foods by providing shelter from predators, serving as a nursery ground for various species, and protecting coastal areas by acting as a natural breakwater. Kelp has been declining due to warming ocean temperatures and increased grazing pressures from urchins. This decline poses a threat to the marine ecosystem and the cultural practices of Tla’amin people.
Currently, the project is established at Pa’aje’s Cannery Bay aquaculture facility. Modeled after fish hatcheries, the kelp nursery collects local kelp seeds to rear and outplant them back into the waters of ʔəms giȷ̌ɛ. The establishment of creating a seed bank is a critical step forward in reintroducing this important resource to our waters.
The projects goals are multi-faceted, focusing not only on the scientific aspects of kelp cultivation but also engagement with the community and teaching youth. Restoration and monitoring success of the restoration efforts through comprehensive evaluation techniques are key objectives of the project.
In 2025, a milestone was celebrated where Seaweed Bioreactors (Industrial Plankton) were installed at the Nursery. This additional infrastructure optimizes the kelp seed production that will enable the project partners to grow kelp efficiently, productively and consistently. This in turn will allow us to grow capacity in other areas of the project, such as out planting, and monitoring for restoration.
Partnership with BC Conservation Foundation and Marine Biologist Lee-Ann Ennis supported through Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Fund.
