The Englishman River Watershed Recovery Plan (ERWRP) was created in 2001 with funding from the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund, through the Pacific Salmon Foundation. The Englishman River was chosen due to the high level of community involvement in the watershed and because the Englishman River was, at that time, ranked the most endangered river in the province.

The ERWRP describes populations of coho and steelhead as key indicators of success. In other words, if these fish species maintain healthy populations then it is likely that the biodiversity and natural processes in the watershed are at healthy levels too. The Plan also describes the need to address issues of water quality and quantity, and development. The Steering Committee work to address these issues in a pro-active and integrated manner.

MVIHES plays a central role in the Englishman River Watershed Recovery Plan. We coordinate projects and community discussions about management of the watershed. We disseminate information regarding the Recovery Plan progress, and provide opportunities for the community to participate in hands on care for the watershed, estuary and shorelines.

Groundwater Mapping and Education Project

The Englishman River watershed is a source of surface and groundwater for the City of Parksville and surrounding areas. The rate of growth in the area creates challenges for land development and the water supply. At this time there is little understanding of where groundwater is flowing and at what rates, where recharge areas are, what the interaction is between groundwater and surface water and where groundwater discharges into the Englishman River, therefore we do not know if the present (already low) summer flow is sustainable in light of an increasing population.