Rio Tinto and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) have strengthened their partnership with a $1.75 million investment to study climate change impacts on water security and freshwater fish in the Nechako Watershed. This funding will support two research chairs for five years, crucial for sustainable watershed management and global climate resilience efforts.
Dr. Stephen Déry has been appointed as the research chair in climate change and water security, continuing work from a 2019 initiative. His focus will expand hydrometeorological monitoring and develop forecasting systems for river temperatures. Dr. Eduardo Martins will address freshwater fish ecology, researching how water temperature variability affects species like salmon and sturgeon, vital to local ecosystems and communities.
Both researchers will collaborate on models predicting the effects of climate change on fish populations, aiding fisheries management and conservation policies. Rio Tinto aims to enhance its operations while supporting ecological sustainability in the region. UNBC will contribute approximately $1.3 million to support a research team of 11, facilitating community engagement and partnerships.
