News

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage River System (CHRS)! Established in 1984, the CHRS has played a crucial role in stewarding and promoting Canada’s river heritage. To celebrate, we would like to take you with us on a canoe trip down memory lane. We worked with past and current CHRS participants from across the country to gather anecdotes, pictures, and art pieces that tell the story of the CHRS. Put on your life jacket, here we go!

Flowing over 1,200 kilometres and known by many names, the North Saskatchewan River (kisiskāciwani-sīpiy [KEY-SIS-CATCH-WAN-SI-PPY] in cree/nêhiyawak and AAPÁTOHS O’MAHKAHTA in Blackfoot/Niitsitapi) originates from the toe of the Saskatchewan Glacier within the Columbia Icefield in Banff National Park.

The Rideau Canal, a timeless emblem of the National Capital Region, weaves through Ottawa's urban landscape, embodying layers of history, culture, and natural beauty. Designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, a national historic site of Canada, and a Canadian heritage river, the canal holds profound significance for residents and visitors alike.

Aquatic invasive species threaten both natural and cultural values of heritage rivers. They can compete with native species and damage cultural landscapes. Climate change increases the risk of invasions by non-native species and decreases the efficacy of some management strategies. How can we mitigate the risks aquatic invasive species pose to heritage rivers as the climate changes?

Located in northern Manitoba, the 50,000 km2 Seal River Watershed is one of the largest remaining ecologically intact watersheds in the world.

Our group consisting of 8 canoers of varying degrees embarked on a seven-day excursion on the Clearwater River from Lloyd Lake to the Warner Rapids Bridge.

When experiencing the impacts of droughts, floods, or fire on a river we care for, we may feel despair, sadness, or anxiety. What can we do to navigate these difficult eco-emotions?

The St. Croix River (Skutik River) begins its journey to the ocean some 180 kilometres to the north of its mouth. It acts as the international boundary between Canada and the United States along its eastern branch. At Grand Falls, the eastern and west branches join to form the mainstream that continues until it meets the ocean near St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and Calais, Maine.

On September 20, 2023, we had the honour of presenting the 2023 Canadian River Stewardship Award to two amazing individuals: Molly Demma and Peter Labor. This award honours the work of Canadians to highlight the significance of rivers and honour their role in our past, present, and future. In this article, we celebrate the accomplishments of Molly Demma and her impact on the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.

On September 20th, 2023, we had the honour of presenting the 2023 Canadian River Stewardship Award to two amazing individuals, Peter Labor and Molly Demma. This award is presented every three years to individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to the stewardship of a Canadian Heritage River or to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System program as a whole. In this article, we highlight the contributions of Peter Labor to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.