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Lil’wat Forestry Ventures finalist for 2024 Land Awards for landslide restoration

Lil’wat Forestry Ventures (LFV) has been named as a finalist for the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s (REFBC) 2024 Land Awards in the Land Use and Conservation Category. This selection is in recognition of their work on the Q̓welq̓welústen/Mount Meager Landslide Restoration, a project aimed at slowing sediment buildup to reduce the chances of flooding on reserve lands and creating conditions suitable for vegetation and wildlife habitat. The winners will be announced at a gala on June 13, 2024, in Vancouver, B.C.

“Being a finalist, and even being nominated for these awards, is a great honour for Lil’wat Forestry Ventures. It means a lot to be recognized for the proactive work we are doing within Lil’wat Nation’s Traditional Territory,” said Hayden Leo, forest technician at LFV.

“This will help future projects to assist in the restoration of wildlife in our area and potentially help nearby communities that might have similar issues. We’re grateful to Clearcourse, Chartwell, and all the other groups who made this project possible.”

Established in 2010, the REFBC’s Land Awards program recognizes outstanding projects and leaders that protect lands and waters and create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.

“We’re excited to celebrate remarkable leaders and organizations forging better relationships between lands, waters, and people. By sharing success stories from across British Columbia, we hope to build bridges and inspire lasting change,” said Mark Gifford, CEO of the REFBC. “Congratulations to Lil’wat Forestry Ventures on being named a 2024 Land Awards finalist! The Q̓welq̓welústen/Mount Meager Landslide Restoration project combines restoration and research, and demonstrates leadership in innovation, impact, collaboration, and engagement.”

The Q̓welq̓welústen/Mount Meager Landslide Restoration project addressed the consequences of the 2010 Capricorn Creek landslide that occurred within Lil’wat Nation’s traditional territory at Mount Meager.

“The landslide material drastically altered the sediment input into the lower reaches of the Lillooet River that runs through the Pemberton Valley, significantly increasing the flood risk in populated areas and lowering the effectiveness of existing flood-protection infrastructure,” explained Leo, adding that huge swaths of the debris field remain barren and devoid of vegetation, with sedimentation impacts extending to downstream fish and aquatic wildlife populations.

The goal of LFV’s project was to support accelerated natural regeneration throughout the landslide debris to improve wildlife habitat conditions and potentially reduce downstream sedimentation, creating conditions suitable for natural colonization. The project directly benefits the Lil’wat Nation by not only slowing the sediment build-up in Lillooet Lake but also help develop a partnership with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

“LFV has always followed the goals of the Nation and has taken up the role of a steward of the land. This project is a step in the right direction on how we can manage the land by enhancing wildlife habitat and producing a beneficial land base,” added Leo. “The innovation used for this project is a good model for others to follow and includes many different groups within the territory.”