VANCOUVER - The provincial government has set up a $2-million trust fund to protect and restore B.C.'s rivers, Water, Land and Air Protection Minister Joyce Murray announced today during Rivers Week.

"Our government made a New Era commitment to implement a Living Rivers strategy to protect and improve our waterways using scientifically based standards, enhancements to fish habitat, and a 10-year program to correct past damage," said Murray. "The Living Rivers trust fund is an important first step in developing our overall Living Rivers strategy and will provide a long-term, secure base of funding for rivers-related projects."

The fund will be used for projects that use research to improve understanding of B.C.'s watersheds, increase public awareness, strengthen partnerships and enhance the effectiveness of community organizations.

"The establishment of the trust provides an important new source of funding for river stewardship and creates a mechanism by which future donations could be received from others interested in river conservation," said Mark Angelo, heritage rivers adviser.

The province will appoint a trust fund advisory group made up of representatives from government, conservation organizations and industry. The advisory group will also provide input into the development of the Living Rivers strategy. A discussion paper on the strategy will be released in the coming months.

"Our waterways are the very lifeblood of a healthy, sustainable environment," said Murray. "The goal of our Living Rivers strategy is to provide leadership and ensure the time, energy and money - both public and private - that we invest in protecting the health of our rivers creates the greatest possible environmental benefit."

The fund will be administered by the Vancouver Foundation, a philanthropic, non-government community foundation. Income from the foundation's endowments is distributed to various charities across the province.

Individuals and organizations may also donate to the fund.

Media contact:

Liz Bicknell
Communications Director
250 213-3072 (cell)