The SMWS

 The mission of the SMWS is to be effective and conscientious stewards of the S’amunu Watershed, by preserving, restoring, and renewing the S’amunu (Somenos) Watershed eco-system through community volunteerism, education, and liaison with various like-minded groups.

Our long-term vision is to complete and restore the mountaintop-to-ocean biodiversity corridors within the S’amunu watershed by preserving existing ecosystems, ensuring the continuation of ecosystem services and species diversity for generations to come, and to bring back salmon production to when the S’amunu Watershed was known as ‘the greatest salmon nursery on southern Vancouver Island’.

SMWS projects support our ecological restoration goals through water quality monitoring, riparian planting, invasive species management, and interpretive facilities to inform and involve the local community.

Our efforts are guided by Cowichan Tribes, on whose Traditional Lands we work on, and are supported by the Municipality of North Cowichan through annual Service Agreements. We rely on community engagement and our network of members and volunteers to accomplish much of our on the ground efforts.