Tom Rutherford is the Director of Strategic Priorities with the Cowichan Watershed Board and has been involved in building partnerships to support community empowerment and salmon and watershed sustainability for almost 45 years. Tom had a long career with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and has working with Living Rivers/British Columbia Conservation Foundation as well as the First Nations Fisheries Council and the Pacific Salmon Foundation in their efforts to craft a made in BC Salmon Recovery Strategy.

 

Tom has raised his family in the Xwulqw’selu – Koksilah Watershed and is a firm believer that Indigenous leadership and community engagement in water and watershed issues are the keys to implementing lasting positive change. He is excited to be involved in supporting Cowichan Tribes, the Province of BC and the Koksilah Community in this important and precedent setting work.