The federal government has earmarked nearly $270,000 for three projects on Vancouver Island that are geared towards protecting fresh water.

The largest share of the funding, at $100,000 over two years, is going to the Tsartlip First Nation for its KÉNNES Watershed Restoration project.

The project aims to restore 10,000 square metres of riparian, wetland, and stream habitats within the KÉNNES watershed in the Saanich Peninsula, according to the federal government.

The restoration work is expected to improve habitat for native species like coastal cutthroat trout – and support Indigenous-led stewardship, youth engagement, community participation and cultural revitalization.

Meanwhile, another $99,495 is going to the British Columbia Conservation Foundation over a period of three years to help create rain gardens along the east coast of Vancouver Island.

The rain gardens are expected to “reduce tire wear toxicants and other stormwater runoff pollutants from making their way directly into local fish-bearing waterways,” according to the federal government

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The final portion of funding destined for Vancouver Island is going to the Tula Foundation.

The foundation is receiving $68,898 over two years to create and acquire open source tools to help measure river flow data, estimate flows, and compare them to historical trends.

“The project will also involve training and support for data contributors and users,” says the federal government.

The nearly $270,000 in funding for all three projects is part of Ottawa’s $4.5 million total earmarked for 39 new fresh water protection projects across the country.

“Healthy freshwater ecosystems are vital to the health and well-being of Canadians and our economy,” said Julie Dabrusin, minister of environment, climate change and nature and minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency.

“Today’s major investment is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we bring communities together around one shared goal: protecting our water,” she said Thursday.

In total, Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water, and roughly seven per cent of the global renewable fresh water supply, according to the federal government.

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