Researchers from UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems have been conducting studies within restored riparian zones along the sc̓e:ɬxʷəy̓əm (Salmon River) Corridor, located on the shared territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Matsqui Nations in Langley.
Riparian zones—areas adjacent to rivers, streams, and other water bodies—play a crucial role in maintaining water quality, preventing erosion, and supporting wildlife while also improving farming outcomes.
Over the past several years, restoration work along the sc̓e:ɬxʷəy̓əm Corridor has been conducted by the Foodlands Corridor Restoration Program, a collaborative initiative between the Rivershed Society of BC (Rivershed), Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS), Kwantlen Land Guardians (KLG), Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA), Kerr Wood Leidal Consultants (KWL), and private landholders. The project pursues two primary goals: restoring species-at-risk habitat through invasive species removal, native replanting, and creating wildlife habitat and wetlands; and cultivating cross-cultural understanding of Indigenous food systems under the guidance of səýeḿ Qwantlen and Kwantlen First Nation.
On October 18, 2023, the Rivershed Society, Kwantlen Knowledge Holders, and researchers and students from UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems and Faculty of Forestry gathered for a site tour and knowledge-sharing session at the sc̓e:ɬxʷəy̓əm Corridor. The collaboration also paved the way for expanded research under an NSERC Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Proposal, awarded to the UBC research team and partners in the summer of 2024, to study the ecological, social, and economic benefits of perennial planting networks in agriculture (https://percs.landfood.ubc.ca/).
See below for project details and a report regarding the site visit with co-leads Emily Pearson & Juli Carrillo.
Project Details
Project Title: Riparian Restoration and the Foodlands Corridor Project: Knowledge Sharing with Rivershed Society of BC
Project co-leads:
- Emily Pearson, Foodlands Coordinator, Rivershed Society of BC
- Juli Carrillo, Associate Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC Vancouver
Project duration: September 2023 – March 2024
Learn more:
- Updates from the Foodlands Corridor Restoration Program
- UBC Partner Plant-Insect Ecology & Evolution Lab
This project was supported by the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund.
Project Report with Emily Pearson and Juli Carrillo
Why is this project important?
The site tour served as a strong starting point for building a relationship between the Foodlands team and the research team. One of Foodlands’ primary goals is to bring diverse groups together for learning on the land and about the land. Rivershed sees restoration projects as more impactful when integrating Traditional Knowledge and Western science, allowing continuous improvement. By building a relationship with the research team, Foodlands can expand research and monitoring efforts in the sc̓e:ɬxʷəy̓əm Corridor, learn from the findings and expertise of the research team, and eventually connect with other organizations that participate in the NSERC Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Proposal.
What strengths did each party bring to the project?
Foodlands contributed their expertise in their approach to community-driven restoration, including access to privately held parcels of land forming the natural corridor for the project sites. This enabled the research team to study the ecological impacts of perennial plantings on climate change mitigation and species conservation. Meanwhile, Rivershed played a pivotal role in fostering community engagement, providing baseline data for project sites and facilitating collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
During the project, what opportunities did participants have to teach, learn, or do research?
Rivershed’s collaboration with Kwantlen enabled sharing of place-based and Traditional Knowledge, sesmelot (Fern Gabriel) and Kelly Yates, during the site tour. This reciprocal knowledge-sharing sparked discussions that inspired new research ideas between the Foodlands and research team, enhancing the project’s academic and cultural depth.
What was your favourite outcome?
The site tour began with heartfelt introductions that created a welcoming atmosphere for open dialogue. Participants shared personal and professional connections to the land, fostering meaningful conversations. The stories and insights from Kwantlen members and collaborators were particularly impactful. The day concluded with shared smoked salmon and informal discussions, building fellowship across the group.
Can you share a few lessons you learned during your project?
- In-person meetings foster stronger, more honest connections compared to virtual ones.
- Building relationships can unlock diverse pathways for collaboration beyond initial project goals.
- Visiting the site in person provides invaluable insights into the unique ecological and social context of restoration efforts.
What is next?
UBC and Rivershed are committed to ongoing research and partnership opportunities in the sc̓e:ɬxʷəy̓əm Corridor and future Foodlands sites.