Kristen Walters

Kristen Walters is the Director of Salmon Habitat, Climate, and Policy. She has an M.Sc. from Simon Fraser University. Kristen is passionate about interdisciplinary approaches to conservation initiatives by collaborating with people of all backgrounds and professional fields. More about Kristen.

https://www.raincoast.org/team/kristen-walters/

Notes from the field

Raincoast presents at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
2025 May 62025 December 15

Raincoast biologists attended the 43rd gathering of the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference to present on forests, fire, water, and salmon.

Read More Raincoast presents at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
Backgrounders

Policy brief – supporting freshwater salmon habitat through the Water Sustainability Act
2025 March 182025 December 15

It is important to remember that our water, and the incredible fish that return to our watersheds, are one of our greatest natural resources and are an integral part of strong and resilient local economies.

Read More Policy brief – supporting freshwater salmon habitat through the Water Sustainability Act
Raincoast updates

Habitat restoration occurring in the Woods Island Marsh in the Fraser River Estuary
2025 February 32025 December 18

We are restoring marsh habitats to improve conditions for juvenile salmon and other wildlife.

Read More Habitat restoration occurring in the Woods Island Marsh in the Fraser River Estuary
Conservation updates

Canada has a chance to lead on the world stage with an improved Nature Accountability Act
2024 August 152024 December 13

Bill C-73 is a much-needed piece of legislation that would give the National Biodiversity Strategy legal teeth, and make it enforceable by the courts.

Read More Canada has a chance to lead on the world stage with an improved Nature Accountability Act
Raincoast updates

Canada releases the 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Accountability Bill –a positive step, but one that falls short
2024 July 232024 December 13

The final 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy addresses biodiversity-harming subsidies and promises an adaptive management approach, but lacks a clear plan on how it will be implemented.

Read More Canada releases the 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Accountability Bill –a positive step, but one that falls short
Scientific literature

New study identifies the cost of restoring the Sumas Xhotsa (Lake) as a tool for reconciliation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem restoration
2024 July 182024 December 13

The research weaves together Indigenous laws with an economic analysis to determine the cost of implementing ‘managed retreat’ as a nature-based solution to flood risk in the Lower Fraser region.

Read More New study identifies the cost of restoring the Sumas Xhotsa (Lake) as a tool for reconciliation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem restoration
Investigate and inform

Nature-based Solutions: How restoring habitat protects people and wildlife
2024 May 92025 December 15

Climate change costs in BC are running in the billions of dollars per year; there are many benefits to Nature-based Solutions.

Read More Nature-based Solutions: How restoring habitat protects people and wildlife
Investigate and inform

The federal 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy: another vision document or a legally-binding action plan?
2024 April 92025 December 15

The recent federal 2030 Biodiversity Strategy outlines the path Canada will take to recover biodiversity, and protect and conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

Read More The federal 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy: another vision document or a legally-binding action plan?
Investigate and inform

A true paradigm shift? Discerning the fine print of the provincial government’s draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework
2024 March 182025 December 15

The provincial government proposes a more holistic approach to stewarding lands and waters through their Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. Our gap analysis reveals that the Framework lacks sufficient rigor and clarity regarding its intended legal power.

Read More A true paradigm shift? Discerning the fine print of the provincial government’s draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework
In the media

BC needs to stand up to the federal government on salmon issues
2023 June 142024 July 8

Will the province stand by as the federal government permits the destruction of vital salmon habitat in BC?

Read More BC needs to stand up to the federal government on salmon issues
Conservation updates

Reach out to your MLA about the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion
2023 May 252024 July 8

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has been given federal approval to double the size of its shipping terminal in the heart of the Fraser River Estuary. The 370 conditions included in the federal approval of the project are insufficient in many places, and the specific conditions that relate to the terminal footprint and underwater shipping…

Read More Reach out to your MLA about the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion
Notes from the field

Notes from the Hill: Working towards protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030
2023 March 282024 July 8

To ensure that these goals are achieved, the participants of Nature Canada met with Members of Parliament from across jurisdictions to discuss a federal Action Plan that will implement the GBF within 2023.

Read More Notes from the Hill: Working towards protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030