Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (SWCC)

About us

The Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (SWCC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2004 by a diverse group of people dedicated to protecting the Skeena river watershed.

Our mission is to cultivate a sustainable future from a sustainable environment rooted in culture and a wild salmon ecosystem.

Our ocjectives:
• Informing our membership on proposed development plans that may compromise our vision of a sustainable regional economy.
• Working to develop long-term stewardship plans for the Skeena Watershed
• Organizing information meetings between regional/provincial governments, corporate developers and local communities
• Contributing to baseline research of wildlife, water quality, and cultural heritage resources in the Upper Skeena Watershed
• Developing sustainable employment opportunities that are compatible with the globally significant values of the region
• Providing educational programs for the region´s children and youth (school programs and a summer conservation camp) to learn about the values within the Skeena watershed
• Sponsoring gatherings for stories, music, and art celebrating the Skeena Watershed

Our projects:
• Women On Water(WOW): WOW is aimed at bringing women of all ages together to learn white water skills, building self-esteem, learn about local environmental issues and inspire and encourage one another as community leaders.
• Rafting the Skeena - Summer expeditions: Strategists, activists and conservationalists get a water-level experience on the Skeena River.
• Up Your Watershed Tour: The Up Your Watershed! concerts are a forum to celebrate students´ learning and leadership in protecting the Skeena´s beautiful and precious ecosystems.
• Skeena Bike Service: You can borrow a bike for free anytime at supporting local merchants.
• Skeena Elder Stories Project
• Skeena Swim
• 10,000 Salmon: In 2009, every elementary and highschool student in the entire northwest corner of BC decorated a paper salmon. Each little paper salmon is about 8" in length and will be compiled into a giant piece of art.
• YOW! (Youth on Water) Program: At the heart of the SWCC Youth on Water program is our recognition of the immense value of the Skeena watershed and the Sacred headwaters.
• Sacred Headwaters Campaign: SWCC has been working to protect the Sacred Headwaters from coalbed methane development. Our work has included conducting public outreach and education, mobilizing residents of the Skeena watershed, and engaging in dialogue with Shell and the BC government.
• Technical Studies - Annual Program: Our baseline inventory research is designed to contribute to the general understanding of the upper Skeena’s globally significant wildlife, wild salmon, and cultural heritage resources.
• Skeena Awareness Project
• Public Education and Outreach: SWCC public education initiatives, including our popular Conservation Camps for Kids, provide accurate and updated information on current conservation issues and opportunities within the Skeena watershed.

Shannon McPhail is the Executive Director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (SWCC).

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.

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