Explore collaborative approaches to drought resilience across British Columbia in this project showcase.
0:00 Introduction
3:30 Towards water security for agriculture in BC
29:30 Expansion of provincial weather monitoring network for agriculture
47:12 Regenerating watercourses on ranches: Beaver Dam Analogues in the Nechako Valley
As producers across the province are increasingly challenged by the impacts of drought, extension and research projects are working to support adaptation. This session provided a deeper understanding of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s collaborative work towards water security and explored how two projects tackled water challenges with different approaches.
1. Towards water security for agriculture in BC
With more prolonged and frequent periods of dry weather, we're seeing increasing water scarcity for agriculture in BC, leading to crop damage and other significant challenges. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is taking action to support producers and build water security for agriculture through extension, education and funding programs, and by improving cross-agency awareness and collaboration to find creative solutions to this complex issue.
Presented by: Lisa Levesque, Manager - Water and Sustainability, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
2. Expansion of provincial weather monitoring network for agriculture
Accurate and representative weather information is critical for making informed on-farm decisions. The diverse landscape and topography of BC result in significant variability in weather conditions, often over short distances. This variability presents challenges in providing tools that are applicable to large areas or to individual farms. To address this, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food is expanding the weather monitoring network and launching BC AgriWeather, a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help producers better manage their crops amid increasing climate variability.
Presented by: Andy Nadler, Peak HydroMet Solutions
3. Regenerating watercourses on ranches: Beaver Dam Analogues in the Nechako Valley
As droughts become longer and more intense, ranchers are faced with challenges to hay and pasture production, livestock watering, and well supply. Beaver Dam Analogues may be able to help - proven to be an effective stream restoration method, they can support water regulation and storage, promote long-term aquifer health, and save salmon. This session showcased how ranchers, conservationists, and researchers worked together to trial this biodiversity-based solution in the Nechako Valley, defending against drought, flooding, and wildfire.
Presented by: Wayne Salewski, Chair, Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Facilitated by: Asha Wareham, ACARN
Funding for this event has been provided by the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food through CleanBC.