Streamkeepers Program Moves Forward Following Council Endorsement

Sooke’s Streamkeepers Program is moving forward with a four-year framework to support community involvement in monitoring, protecting and restoring local waterways and salmon habitat.

At its September 8, 2026 meeting, Council endorsed the District of Sooke Streamkeepers Program Framework (2026–2029) as a municipal service level and directed staff to begin phased implementation. The framework establishes a path from initial District coordination toward a longer-term, community-led stewardship model.

The program’s vision is:

Thriving waterways, abundant salmon, community-led stewardship.

Initial implementation will focus within District boundaries, while recognizing that watersheds extend beyond municipal boundaries and that regional collaboration and knowledge sharing will be important to understanding watershed health.

Building on Community Interest

The program builds on work already underway in the community and direction contained in the District’s Liquid Waste Management Plan to facilitate the creation and training of Streamkeeper teams.

Earlier this year, the District sought participants for local Streamkeepers training, which provides hands-on skills in stream monitoring and watershed health. The June training opportunity drew 27 registrations, compared with the minimum of 10 required to proceed. Participants included members of the public and local Nations, along with people connected to several community organizations already active in stewardship and salmon-related work.

The strong response provides a foundation for bringing volunteers, community organizations, technical expertise and existing local knowledge together through a more coordinated program.

A Phased Approach

The Streamkeepers Program will be implemented gradually, allowing monitoring and information gathering to help guide future priorities.

2026–2027: Establish and Monitor

The first phase will focus on building the program foundation by:

• supporting Streamkeepers training and volunteer coordination;
• establishing consistent monitoring methods, roles and responsibilities;
• beginning data collection within District boundaries;
• developing a consistent approach to public reporting; and
• building regional knowledge-sharing connections.

The goal is to establish a reliable, community-supported monitoring and reporting system before significant restoration work is considered.

2027–2028: Assess and Restore

Monitoring information will help identify potential assessment and restoration priorities. At least one restoration project may be initiated or implemented, subject to funding, land access, professional advice, regulatory approvals and Council-approved budgets.

2028–2029: Sustain and Transition

The later phase will focus on strengthening volunteer leadership, formalizing partnerships and governance, maintaining regional collaboration and moving toward a sustainable, community-led stewardship model.

Working with Local Nations and Community Partners

As part of Council’s direction, the framework will be referred to local Nations for information and feedback, with each Nation invited to identify whether and how it wishes to participate. Any substantive amendments arising from that feedback would return to Council.

The framework also recognizes an important role for community organizations and volunteers in on-the-ground monitoring and stewardship, along with technical guidance and mentorship from qualified program partners.

The intent is not to replace work already being done in the community. Rather, the District’s early role is to help connect existing knowledge and volunteer capacity, support consistent monitoring, pursue funding opportunities and create the structure needed for the program to grow.

What Does Council’s Endorsement Mean?

Council’s endorsement establishes the Streamkeepers Program as a municipal service level and allows staff to proceed with phased implementation and pursue external funding opportunities.

It does not approve a specific restoration project, new staff position or unbudgeted expenditure. Initial coordination is expected to occur within existing staffing and approved budgets. Any future proposal involving an unbudgeted municipal contribution, additional staffing, land acquisition, ongoing financial commitment or other material obligation would return to Council for consideration.

This approach allows the program to begin with training, coordination and evidence gathering, while future restoration investments are informed by monitoring data, available resources, partnerships and required approvals.

Learn more about the Streamkeepers Program and opportunities to participate at sooke.ca/streamkeepers.