2 Billion Trees
Restoring watershed function and critical salmon habitat in a declared Salmon Park IPCA in Nootka Sound.
The Two Billion Trees funded Restoring watershed function and critical salmon habitat in a declared Salmon Park IPCA in Nootka Sound project is a collaborative, science-driven watershed restoration project to support wild salmon habitat and ecosystem recovery in the upper Gold River watershed. This project, led by Nootka Sound Watershed Society, in partnership with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations (MMFN), Salmon Parks Stewardship Society, Trinity Consultants Canada (formerly Ecofish Research Ltd.), Nootka Reforestation Ltd., Western Forest Products, and Far North Contracting, aims to restore 22 ha of river bars and stunted riparian forests on the Oktwanch and Muchalat River floodplains (Phases 1 and 2), and 4 ha of upland landslides (Phase 3), that have been degraded by historic forestry activities.
Restoration will focus on machine assisted deciduous stake planting on bare aggraded river gravel bars and planting a variety of deciduous and coniferous species on mid-bench riparian habitats, where natural regeneration is limited by flooding, drought and poor soil conditions. Large woody debris will be installed to stabilize river substrates, improve hydro-geomorphic function and provide fish habitat. The project will improve floodplain and channel connectivity, reduce sediment inputs, stabilize banks, moderate stream temperatures, and enhance salmon habitat, supporting recovery of threatened Chinook, Sockeye, Chum, and Steelhead populations, as well as provide habitat for myriad wildlife species. This collaborative effort will build local capacity, create employment, and uphold MMFN's rights and title. By restoring riparian and upland habitats, the project will help reverse decades of habitat loss, mitigate climate impacts, and support long-term ecosystem resilience in coastal rainforests critical to salmon survival.
Salmon Parks, MMFN and Ecofish Research collecting willow stakes in September 2025.
Credit: Ecofish Research, a Trinity Consultants Canada Team
Log jam installation in September 2025
Credit: Ecofish Research, a Trinity Consultants Canada Team
Credit: Nootka Reforestation
Phase 1: Oktwanch River Riparian Planting (2025)
Phase 1 included planting 20 ha of river bars and early successional floodplain forests along the lower Oktwanch River in September through November 2025. A total of 39,222 trees were planted and seven log jams installed. Planting methods included collecting willow stakes, planting 17,695 long willow and cottonwood stakes with a machine, 3,705 short willow stakes by hand, and 17,822 plugs comprised of a mix of deciduous and coniferous species. These approaches will establish early successional species on barren gravel bars, stabilizing banks and bare river sediments, and accelerate forest succession.
Phase 1 included financial support from the Pacific Salmon Foundation for the placement of the log jams to improve channel stability and long-term planting success.
Phase 2: Upper Muchalat River Planting (2026)
Phase 2 will be executed in 2026 and includes:
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Machine assisted planting on gravel bars;
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Planting short stakes and deciduous and coniferous plugs along the banks, historic channels and upper floodplain of the upper Muchalat River;
Phase 3: Landslide and Road Planting (2026)
Phase 3 will include stabilizing landslides using bioengineering techniques and improving watershed hydrology by rehabilitating roads in the Muchalat watershed.
Salmon Parks, MMFN and Ecofish Research assessing roads, erosion and landslides in the Muchalat watershed July 2025.
Credit: Ecofish Research, a Trinity Consultants Canada Team