We Need Your Boots on the Ground.
Join the Effort to Restore Salmon Habitat on Mid Vancouver Island
We Need Your Boots on the Ground.
Join the Effort to Restore Salmon Habitat on Mid Vancouver Island
Successful Restorations
Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES)
Our Mission: The recovery of wild Pacific salmon in through habitat restoration and community engagement
MIVHES is committed to the recovery of wild Pacific salmon by conserving and restoring their critical habitats, including watersheds, estuaries, and shorelines. Through collaborative efforts in field study, education, and habitat enhancement, we aim to foster a deeper connection between people and their natural surroundings. And we need your help.
Fish Habitat Preservation
Hydrology Revitalization
Community Engagement
Watershed Monitoring
The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River Watershed
Our Vision: A healthy Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River watershed that sustains salmon and trout populations
In 2001 the Kw’a’luwx (Englishman) River was declared the most endangered river in BC. Our vision is the conservation and habitat enhancement of aquatic ecosystems in the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River watershed. MVIHES’s goal is the education of our community about the value of healthy watersheds and the measures that we can all take to ensure this. Volunteer today.
Estuary Stabilization
Riparian Enhancement
Biodiversity Conservation
Salmonid Protection
Salmonid species
Our Key Projects and Conservation Focus Areas
Forage Fish Habitat Protection
Understanding Forage Fish and Their Importance: The Cornerstone of Ocean Food WebsForage fish are small fish that travel in large schools and serve as a vital food source for larger marine...
Shelly Creek Watershed Restoration
The Shelly Creek Watershed Initiative by MVIHES is dedicated to restoring and preserving critical fish habitat for Coho Salmon and Cutthroat Trout in Parksville, BC.Background Shelly Creek is a...
The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River Watershed and Estuary
Protecting the The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River: MVIHES Restoration Efforts and How You Can HelpWatershed Health and YouBackground The future of the Englishman River Watershed is at a crossroads....
MVIHES has more than 20 years of past initiatives: View All Initiatives
Years of positive change
Dedicated Volunteer Stewardship
Our Commitment: Habitat enhancement through community education, engagement, and dedicated volunteer stewardship
MVIHES is dedicated to fostering environmental stewardship and awareness through education programs for communities and families. By offering hands-on learning experiences, workshops, and outreach initiatives, we aim to inspire a greater understanding of our local ecosystems and the vital role they play in our future. Together, we can build a legacy of conservation and sustainability for generations to come. And we need your support to make it happen.
Salmon Stewardship
Estuary Restoration
Watershed Health
Habitat Connectivity
Environmental Education
Voices from Our Volunteers and Community
“My first experience with MVIHES was working with them to complete my BSc honours thesis project. From the beginning, their enthusiasm for local streams and the fish that call them home was inspiring. As a young, green student, the folks at MVIHES were very supportive – happy to both share their expertise and connections, and open to learning new approaches. Now, in my professional career it is a pleasure to continue working with them and to be able to support their initiatives. Having worked with stewardship groups all over the island, MVIHES is one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable.”
Ally Wall
BC Conservation Foundation
“MVIHES has a history of leadership and innovation on the east coast of Vancouver Island in building relationships with local governments to make a difference. Shelly Creek has been the focus for our collaboration because of the good work initiated by MVIHES on multiple fronts. Shelly Creek has emerged as a provincially significant demonstration application of what motivated stream stewardship volunteers can accomplish by being the ones to catalyze changes in approach and then show how to lead the way forward. This is a credible formula to be encouraged and mainstreamed at every opportunity.”
Kim Stephens
The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC
“MVIHES is an invaluable community partner in advancing science-based restoration, long-term monitoring, and public education to protect and enhance the ecological health of our region. We have been fortunate to collaborate with MVIHES on numerous initiatives, ranging from habitat restoration and enhancement to community outreach and citizen science projects. We are grateful for this strong and enduring partnership that strengthens stewardship efforts across the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and helps ensure that our watersheds remain vibrant, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.”
Jenica Ng-Cornish
Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute
Happy Salmon
Vounteers
Projects Completed
Creeks and Rivers
Community Stories and Volunteer Highlights
The Coho Killer | 6PPD-Quinone and What’s Being Done About It
One of the key insights into how 6PPD-quinone enters waterways is the presence of stormwater drains on many bridges crossing creeks and rivers. These drains, in effect, function as direct conduits for contaminants. When vehicles travel across bridges, tiny particles from tires wear off and accumulate on the roadway. Then, when it rains, those particles—and the 6PPD-quinone they contain—are washed over the drains and directly into the waterways below.
Learning the Art of Streamkeeping | Volunteers Make a Difference at French Creek
One gorgeous weekend in June, seventeen passionate volunteers came together at French Creek to take part in a Streamkeeper Course. Hosted by the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, this course provided hands-on training in assessing fish habitat and stream health. The program is designed to empower local communities with the knowledge and skills needed to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems.
Volunteers on the Go | Building Community with MVIHES
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES), and their dedication never ceases to amaze. From rescuing stranded Coho Salmon fry to...
