ON THE PULSE: PUBLIC OPINION ON FRESH WATER AND WATERSHED SECURITY

W atershed Security Survey INTRODUCTION About this Summary: Water sustainability and watershed security—the need to This summary provides an manage water and its sources responsibly and sustainably— overview of the findings and are high-priority issues for residents of British Columbia. [...] Who it is for: The purpose of the 2021 research was to gain insights into This document is for water how British Columbians understand and relate to various champions at all levels, and will freshwater issues and watershed security, and the range of be of particular interest to potential policy solutions being considered. [...] The graphics illustrate overwhelming concern about climate change and watershed issues, illuminate public understanding of watersheds and the benefits they provide, and show strong support for watershed investment and protection. [...] Given these strong connections, the framing and messaging around watershed security should explicitly link to the health and wealth of communities, in addition to environmental and other related concerns. [...] Our final general conclusion is that the results of the 2021 survey, consistent with previous such surveys and research, continue to demonstrate the demand and the need for timely action on the issues that communities care about: safe drinking water, more local say in decision-making, thriving wild fish and ecosystems, and security (personal, economic, community) as the climate changes.