Restoration Projects
We plan, design, and manage a diverse portfolio of restoration projects focused on reversing decades of degradation and neglect affecting aquatic habitats across Greater Victoria’s watersheds. These ecosystems have been significantly altered over time by urban development, land-use change, and other human pressures. As a result, our work has evolved in both scope and complexity, requiring integrated, adaptive approaches that address not only historical impacts but also the accelerating challenges posed by climate change.
Our team undertakes a wide range of on-the-ground initiatives throughout the region. These include improving fish passage by removing barriers and reconnecting fragmented habitats, restoring natural stream channel structure and function, replenishing eroded shorelines through beach nourishment, and removing invasive plant species while re-establishing native vegetation communities. Each project is guided by science-based practices and a commitment to long-term ecosystem health and resilience.
A central focus of our efforts is the expansion and enhancement of spawning and rearing habitat for Pacific salmon. By improving the quality and accessibility of these critical habitats, we aim to support the recovery of salmon populations—an essential component of BC’s ecological, cultural, and economic identity.
Our Projects
Colquitz River is home to both cutthroat and coho salmon. In recent years, the number of coho spawners has declined, however, even a few spawning salmon give us hope that with proper habitat restoration, these fish can recover and succeed in urban watersheds.
The KÉNNES Watershed Restoration Project is a multi-phase initiative led by W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation) in partnership with Peninsula Streams & Shorelines. It focuses on restoring vital ecosystems, including riparian, wetland, stream, and Garry oak habitats, on the 78-hectare MÁWUEĆ property, recently returned to Tsartlip.
In partnership with the City of Victoria, the Songhees Nation, and the Esquimalt Nation, and as part of the Pacific Salmon Foundation and BC Stewardship Centre’s Resilient Coasts for Salmon Program, we took a Green Shores for Shoreline Development approach to enhance conditions of an urban pocket beach and shoreline.
We've undertaken an initiative focused on identifying, restoring, and protecting strongholds of salt marsh habitats in Portage Inlet—rare and declining ecosystems that support wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and boost climate resilience.
The cancelled Mermaid Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project in Roberts Bay sought to revive a rare coastal marsh and enhance its blue carbon sequestration capacity, nature-based shoreline protection, and vital habitat for fish and wildlife.
Set to begin in February 2026, restoration work will enhance critical shoreline habitat for forage fish spawning through bank stabilization, invasive species removal, and native planting.
Completed in 2020, the Millstream Creek Fishway removed a longstanding barrier to returning coho salmon, opening 7 km of previously inaccessible habitat. Today, we continue to undertake various restoration projects throughout the watershed to improve habitat for wildlife.
Restoration measures by local stewardship groups and residents have helped restore the creeks and their natural features by building riffles and pools, adding logs and boulders, and replanting the banks.
Urbanization combined with increasing storm intensity caused by climate change has degraded the creek channel and reduced water quality. We initiated a restoration project in 2018 to restore the creek channel and improve fish passage.
We have been actively repairing degraded sections of the Tod Creek Watershed for several years. Work includes fish barrier removal, channel excavation, invasive species removal, native plantings, and fish stocking.
Following decades of development and pollution, we have been actively repairing degraded sections of the KEL,SET (Reay) Creek Watershed for several years through water quality monitoring and habitat restoration.
Coming soon!
Ready to Get Involved?
Our restoration projects would not be possible without our incredible volunteers. We're always looking for more!
Want to feature one of our projects? Reach out to us for a media package.
Consider donating to help us restore our streams and shorelines.
