“Wait, you can’t create water – can you?”
It’s a question that’s circulated ever since
This water balance was achieved in two ways:
- By partnering with local organizations to help improve, restore and replenish water resources and habitats across Canada. Together,
Coca-Cola Canada and their partners help preserve wetlands, improve ecological conditions in watersheds and protect valuable ecosystems. - By improving the way
Coca-Cola Canada uses water in their production facilities. This includes moving to waterless technologies, optimizing filtration and backwash systems, and implementing water recycling programs.
Ultimately, this achievement was largely made possible by the incredible partnerships with local groups and community organizations.
“We can’t do this alone,” said Jon Radtke, Water Sustainability Manager at The
As an example, WWF-Canada and
“The WWF-Canada Restoration Fund helps local organizations improve habitat for species at risk and people in highly stressed freshwater ecosystems,” added Elizabeth Hendriks, WWF-Canada’s vice-president of freshwater conservation. “These projects work towards healthy freshwater ecosystems that benefit wildlife and the people that depend on it for their survival.”
So, what does “returning water back to the community” look like exactly?
BLUE CREEK WATER RESTORATION PROJECT | PITT RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Photo Credit: WWF-Canada/Jordan Lee
This year’s recipient of the WWF-Canada Restoration fund is the Katzie First Nation. They will be using a $150,000 grant to restore the Upper Pitt River’s Blue Creek habitat.
Katzie First Nation, a member of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, will recover this crucial habitat by removing in-stream barriers caused by a recent landslide. They will also build rock and log fortifications to protect spawning beds.
This project is significant to the Katzie First Nation community. Chinook Salmon are not only an important cultural and economic species to all inhabitants of the Lower Fraser River, but are a major food source for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The decline in the Chinook Salmon population is particularly dangerous as it could lead to food-web imbalances, which has negative consequences for species that rely on salmon for survival.
The Blue Creek Water Restoration Project will help restore fish migration, ecosystem connectivity and water flow into neighbouring channels that support a variety of species including Chinook salmon, Coho and endangered Steelhead trout.
This project is well underway, and we look forward to seeing the results.
Click here to read the announcement from WWF-Canada.
DAYLIGHTING NEWMAN’S AND CALEDONIA BROOKS | SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
Coca-Cola Canada and WWF-Canada supported ACAP Saint John by “daylighting” sections of the Newman’s and Caledonia Brooks. Daylighting is when waterways that were once buried or developed over are opened and restored to a more natural state.
This project removed fish barriers and invasive species and included the stabilization of riverbanks.
Watch the video below to learn more about this project and its significance on the Saint John, NB community.
BLACKBURN LAKE NATURE RESERVE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT | SALT SPRING ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA
In 2017,
Previously, the area was bursting with wildlife, but as the golf course was constructed, it drastically impeded on the natural habitats and impacted water quality in the area.
This project restored the course to its natural state and improved water quality downstream. It also created habitats for waterfowl, migrating shorebirds and numerous other animals in the area.
A total of five wetlands were restored in a highly stressed watershed and hiking trails were built for the community.
CENTRAL WESTCOAST FOREST SOCIETY’S CHENATHA RIVER WATERSHED RESTORATION PROJECT | BARKLEY SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA
In the Pacific Rim region of Vancouver Island,
This site is also the traditional land of the Toquaht Nation.
Together with support from WWF-Canada and
Coca-Cola Canada is proud to collaborate with WWF-Canada and other local partners on these special water-restoration projects and initiatives. Drop by drop, these projects help return water back to Canadian communities.
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