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?