Presentation date: February 12, 2014 Young people in our area are becoming stewards of one of the last wild salmon ecosystems on Earth. Outdoor enthusiasts, youth care workers, and conservationists will be reassured to learn that hundreds of young people from our region are being provided with the opportunity to directly experience the rivers, the flora and the fauna of the Skeena Watershed through a program called "Youth on Water". Through this program of direct connection, the young people in our villages and towns are building the selfesteem, skills, and knowledge needed to address the challenges posed by unsustainable industrial activity in our watershed. This presentation will discuss: Research around the benefits of connecting young people to wild spaces The successes of Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalitions Youth on Water and Women on Water programs The current environmental threats facing our region The future of conservation efforts in our watershed