Northern British Columbia
Stand for Our Northern Lands and Waters
Northern Headwaters Initiative is a common-sense effort to protect these living systems while keeping the country open, the water clean, and the jobs long-lasting.
Where the Great Rivers Begin
The headwaters of Northern BC’s great rivers are the birthplace of salmon, steelhead, moose, caribou, and the clean water that sustains our northern communities. These pristine watersheds are the lifeblood of our region, supporting both wildlife and people in a delicate balance that has existed for millennia.
Northern Headwaters is a common-sense effort to protect these living systems while keeping the country open, the water clean, and the jobs long-lasting. We believe that conservation and community prosperity go hand in hand.
Humans belong here. This land is lived in, worked in, and cared for by generations of families, Indigenous Nations, and outdoor enthusiasts. Our job is to keep it thriving for those who come after us.
Safeguarding Northern British Columbia
Together, we can ensure abundant and productive lands and waters for generations to come. Our collaborative approach brings together rural communities, Indigenous Nations, outdoor recreation users, and industry stakeholders in a shared vision for the future.
Thriving Fisheries
Protecting salmon and steelhead runs that sustain ecosystems and communities
Abundant Wildlife
Ensuring healthy populations of moose, caribou, and diverse species
Clean Water
Maintaining pristine watersheds for communities and ecosystems
Vision for Shared Stewardship
Our mission is to foster collaboration among rural communities, First Nations, and outdoor enthusiasts to create a protection plan that balances ecological health with economic prosperity.
By prioritizing clean water, abundant wildlife, and sustainable jobs, we aim to secure a vibrant future for all who call this region home. We recognize that environmental protection and economic vitality are not competing interests—they are complementary goals that require thoughtful planning and inclusive decision-making.
Through partnership and dialogue, we’re building a framework that honors traditional land relationships while creating opportunities for sustainable development and long-term community resilience.
Guiding Principles
Our efforts are shaped by six core pillars that guide every initiative and decision. These principles ensure that we safeguard our natural resources while promoting responsible development and economic resilience. By working together with First Nations and local communities, we aim to create a sustainable future where everyone benefits from the richness of our land.
1
Protection
Safeguard the natural habitats of rivers, fish, and wildlife, ensuring their prosperity and abundance for future generations. Protection strategies are science-based and community-informed.
2
Access
Support continued access to backcountry areas for recreation, hunting, and fishing, fostering a deep connection with the land. Public access is essential to maintaining our outdoor heritage and way of life.
3
Certainty
Advocate for clear guidelines for land use, promoting responsible development and stewardship of our natural resources. Certainty benefits communities, businesses, and ecosystems alike.
Shared Stewardship
Collaborate with First Nations to honor their role as guardians of the land, promoting shared responsibility and care. Indigenous knowledge and practices are integral to effective land management and conservation.
Opportunity
Create pathways for sustainable economic development that respects natural systems. By supporting responsible industrial development and innovative approaches, we ensure long-term prosperity for northern communities.
Material Security
Work to ensure that families and communities have stable, well-paying jobs that depend on healthy ecosystems. Economic security and environmental health are inseparable in our northern landscape.
Power of Collaboration
Our approach is rooted in the belief that the best solutions emerge when diverse voices come together. We advocate for bringing landowners, outdoor recreation users, industry stakeholders, conservation supporters, and First Nations to the table to craft policies that work for everyone.
This collaborative approach recognizes that Northern British Columbia’s future depends on finding common ground between economic development and environmental protection. Through respectful dialogue and shared decision-making, these goals can advance together.
Regional partnerships are critical for building trust, creating innovative solutions, and establishing new standards for how communities can thrive alongside healthy ecosystems. This is conservation that includes people, and does not exclude them.
Have Your Say on the Future of Northwest B.C. Lands
We’re at a generational moment to shape how our lands, forests, watersheds and salmon strongholds are cared for. Several planning processes are underway that will guide land and resource decisions for years to come — and you can help steer them.
Key Places to Get Involved
Current & Upcoming Opportunities
Northwest BC Land-Use Plans
- Massive planning area (~16M+ hectares) near Alaska/Yukon border
- Public engagement now open through the provincial engagement portal — share your views on values, access, conservation, forests, salmon watersheds, and future land uses
Deadlines & specific input events (surveys, webinars, open houses) are posted on the engagement portal above and change as planning phases move forward.
Be a Part of Our Community
Support Our Mission
Your contribution fuels our efforts to protect the vibrant lands, waters and livelihoods of Northern British Columbia. Every donation helps us maintain clean waterways, preserve wildlife habitats, and support responsible industrial development. Together, we can ensure thriving Northern communities for generations to come.
Northern Headwaters Initiative – Working together to protect the rivers, wildlife, and working lands of Northern British Columbia for generations to come. Northern Headwaters is an initiative of the Strong Livelihoods Society.
