Redd Fish Restoration Society focuses on ecosystem restoration, research, monitoring and education. For more than 25 years, Redd Fish has worked with five Nuu-chah-nulth nations on ecological restoration in their hahuułi (traditional territories) on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Each restoration project has been identified as a priority by the nations Redd Fish has partnered with, including Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht and Ucluelet First Nations. This collaborative effort aims to help recover terrestrial and aquatic habitats, along with the species within these habitats.  

Although there are many contributing factors to the decline of salmon species along B.C.’s coast, Redd Fish focuses on addressing the degradation of ecosystem processes, as well as stream and riparian habitat. 

Employing a top-down methodology, Redd Fish begins by addressing a watershed’s upslope instability before working on in-stream restoration in the lower reaches of the watershed. This holistic approach is needed to effectively conserve and restore wild salmon habitat at the watershed scale.

Guided by the First Nations whose territory the society operates in, the highlighted projects are a representation of the work Redd Fish has undertaken to help restore salmon populations to their historic abundance and undo the damage from legacy forestry practices.