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Working Together to Save Salmon
The TSSC held workshops and community meetings to provide updates to the salmon community and create a space to share their insights. The ‘salmon community’ included knowledge holders, Secwépemc communities, provincial, federal, and local governments, non-government organizations, academic practitioners, consultants, and various other subject matter experts. These discussions played a key role in shaping the Thompson-Shuswap Salmon Ecosystem Action Plan (‘the Plan’). Scroll down to learn more about these meetings and their key outcomes. For additional information on the TSSC’s engagement activities, click here to read the Plan’s Engagement Summary report.
The TSSC hosted 8 workshops over the past 5 years to gather input for the Plan. These workshops brought together members of the salmon community, who offered information and guidance on activities to support salmon and salmon habitat in the Thompson-Shuswap. An overview of each of these workshops and their key outcomes are highlighted below.
Hosted in-person in Kamloops, BC.
This workshop focused on providing an overview of the TSSC and its partnership with DFO’s Integrated Planning for Salmon Ecosystems (IPSE) initiative. Participants offered perspectives and advice on how to best work together and ensure the Plan would be informed by the best available science, Indigenous perspectives, and local knowledge. Click here to read the What We Heard report that describes participation, activities, key takeaways and themes, and next steps.
The TSSC provided an update on progress made on the planning process since Workshop 1, including a draft title and table of contents for the Thompson-Shuswap Salmon Ecosystem Action Plan. The TSSC’s technical working groups (Geospatial, Hydrology, and Salmon Ecology and Restoration) each provided updates, and participants provided guidance for the process moving forward. Click here to read the What We Heard report that describes participation, activities, key takeaways and themes, and next steps.
The TSSC introduced 2 new engagement tools: the Salmon Habitat Mapper Tool and an online Recommended Actions Survey, and provided an overview, instructions, and link for each. The presentation and Q&A session focused on how the input received through each tool would be incorporated into the Plan. Details about both tools can be found in the Online Engagement tab.
This online workshop tested a pilot prioritization framework focused on salmon habitat restoration and conservation actions in Bessette Creek, one of 19 focal waterbodies in the Thompson-Shuswap. The goal of the workshop was to review 25 field-based habitat restoration actions and have participants rate these actions based on 3 criteria: effectiveness, feasibility, and community support. The full prioritization framework, including how it was developed, the prioritization steps, and feedback from Bessette Creek workshop participants, can be found in the Thompson-Shuswap Salmon Ecosystem Action Plan – Prioritization Framework supplementary document. (Will be available at the end of March)
The TSSC hosted a series of online workshops focused on the North Thompson (September 15th), South Thompson (October 16th), and Thompson (October 17th) Rivers. The focus of these workshops was on reviewing potential restoration actions for focal waterbodies. Participants provided input on actions to include in the plan, including their accuracy, relevancy and urgency.
Hosted in-person in Kamloops, BC., and online.
This was the final workshop to develop the Plan. The TSSC worked with participants to confirm high-level, cross-cutting actions for the plan and refine watershed-specific actions. Participants provided input on knowledge gaps, outreach and engagement, and hydrology, and reviewed potential actions to refine the scope and language, discuss work currently underway, brainstorm next steps, and identify higher priority actions. The workshop closed with a discussion on next steps and the role of the TSSC.
The Secwépemc Fisheries Commission (SFC) hosted community meetings for Secwépemc community members and representatives to share knowledge and information, express values and concerns regarding salmon and their habitats in Secwepemcúl’ecw, and provide feedback on the Plan.Agenda items for community meetings are highlighted below, and meeting participants and outputs are also summarized in the Engagement Summary report. Meeting materials are available upon request for Secwépemc Community members. Please contact sfcinfo@shuswapnation.org for more information.
The first online Secwépemc Community Meeting was attended by 19 community members from 7 Secwépemc communities. During this first meeting, SFC introduced the TSSC-IPSE collaborative project and provided an early opportunity for community members to ask questions, share their perspectives, and offer advice for the planning process.
Hosted in-person at the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council office in Kamloops, B.C.
This meeting was attended by 20 community members from 8 Secwépemc communities. SFC provided an update on the TSSC, and participants discussed how Secwépemc communities could be involved in the TSSC-IPSE planning process and how guidance from Secwépemc communities could be incorporated.
The third community meeting was attended by 8 people from 3Secwépemc communities. SFC providedan update on TSSC progress,andcommunity members also provided input to help TSSC start developing an action prioritization approach. Participants helpedidentify conservation and restoration goals and objectives, identifypotential restoration actions, and describenext steps for TSSC.