Protecting Farmland and Salmon Habitat on the Somas River

For almost 50 years, Bob and Anne Collins have cared for the land that makes up Collins Family Farm, located along the banks of the Somas River on Vancouver Island. Over time, they’ve watched the river change, and not for the better. What was once an occasional flood has become a regular event, carving away at their fields and threatening both their livelihood and the river’s vital salmon habitat. 

The Somas River, fed by three major lakes, is one of the most productive salmon systems on Vancouver Island. It supports multiple salmon species, along with cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and steelhead. But increasing erosion along the riverbank was putting the ecosystem and the farm at risk. 

To address the problem, the Collins family received support from the Scaling the Implementation of Riparian Restoration (SIRR) program, utilizing a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model. The Collins Family alongside restoration partner Elodie Roger, implemented a nature‑based restoration plan designed to stabilize the riverbank and protect the habitat. 

The project included: 

• Live staking at the toe of the slope to deflect water energy, reduce erosion and sediment entering the stream 
• Re-grading the upper bank to a gentler, more stable slope 
• Planting a diverse mix of native vegetation to restore riparian cover, improve bank stability, and increase shade 
• Establishing long-term vegetation to help regulate water temperature and support aquatic life 

The results are already visible: the bank is stabilizing, vegetation is taking hold, and the river’s edge is beginning to rebuild its natural resilience. 

For Bob, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. He encourages other farmers facing watercourse challenges to explore programs like SIRR, not only for the funding, but for the expertise and practical solutions they provide. 

IAF gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as a part of the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF).  

BCSRIF aims to support protection and restoration activities for Pacific salmon and other priority wild fish stocks. BCSRIF also supports projects that will ensure the fish and seafood sector in BC is positioned for long-term environmental and economic sustainability.