Watershed Health and Resilience Indicators Framework

This guide outlines the Watershed Health and Resilience Indicators (WHI) framework developed by the Action on Climate Team (ACT) at Simon Fraser University. The document presents the Natural Solutions Initiative (NSI) mission to advance nature-based solutions (NbS) that enhance low carbon resilience and support Indigenous co-governance in watershed management. It describes the importance of integrating Indigenous Knowledge systems with conventional approaches to ensure holistic watershed health assessments. The guide details nine categories of indicators to monitor watershed health and resilience, emphasizing the need for collaborative frameworks that incorporate diverse perspectives. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges faced in current watershed management practices, including institutional fragmentation and the necessity for adaptive management strategies. The document also highlights the legislative context in British Columbia that supports co-governance and collaborative stewardship of watersheds, aiming to optimize the benefits of NbS for communities and ecosystems amidst climate change.