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CPAWS-BC supports park plan that advances reconciliation and visitor experience

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CPAWS-BC supports park plan that advances reconciliation and visitor experience

April 25, 2024

Today, BC Parks, Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua announced a partnership to balance access to the Pipi7íyekw / Joffre Lakes Park for visitors and First Nations this summer. This agreement will support visitor experience, healthy ecosystems and preserve the cultural connections of Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua to this spiritual place. 

“We know that supporting First Nations cultures is critical to maintaining and rebuilding ecological integrity. We are excited to see this agreement centre reconciliation and the values of Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua, aa well as outline a positive visitor management strategy to support people and the area’s ecosystems,” says Tori Ball, Conservation Director – Land and Fresh Water, Canadian Parks And Wilderness Society, British Columbia.

The agreement announced today comes after years of work by the province, Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua, to improve visitor management in the region, which has seen a surge in outdoor recreation demand and visitor numbers. The abrupt closure of the area last fall resulted in public confusion and tensions for park visitors.

“We are happy to see this proactive planning between BC Parks, Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua for Pipi7íyekw that supports First Nation connections to land and cultural practices and clear public communication to support appropriate public access to the area,” Ball continued. “This collaborative planning and decision-making is critical to reconciliation and the future of conservation and protected areas management.”

The joint park operational plan for 2024 includes three Pipi7íyekw Reconnection Celebration time periods:

  • April 30 to May 15, to support Indigenous-led cultural celebrations, including Stl’atl’imx Days – a celebration of the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe on May 10, 1911. 
  • June 14 to 23, to support summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations. 
  • September 3 to October 6, to support Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

These closures will enable Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua to reconnect with the land and carry out traditional, sustenance, cultural and spiritual practices. In addition to the multi-day closures, there will be a limit on the number of daily visitors through the free day-use pass system to support public safety and the natural values of the park.

Overcrowding can negatively affect both the local ecosystem and visitor experience, for example, through people going off-trail. Managing the daily visits is an important tool to support the area’s plants and wildlife, as well as visitor safety.

“Healthy and thriving ecosystems are critical to a healthy future for all. Respectful relationships and sustainable outdoor recreation is important for building up a culture of nature enthusiasts who continue to enjoy and care for nature for generations to come,” says Ball.

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Media Contact:
Max Winkelman
Communications Manager
max@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 x3

More details:

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Operations update April 2024

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Welcoming Growth & Renewal!

April 17, 2024

With our sights set on achieving 25% protection by 2025 and counting down to the ambitious 30% by 2030 target, CPAWS-BC is embarking on a transformative journey to restructure and grow our organization. This strategic transformation makes us more agile, efficient, and impactful in safeguarding Nature in BC.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen a number of big and exciting announcements from the government to advance conservation in BC.

A $300 million Nature Conservation fund was announced, the over $1 billion Trilateral Framework Agreement for Nature Conservation set the stage for significant action on the biodiversity crisis and leadership in conservation and another $60 million was announced for Indigenous-led stewardship and sustainable development across the Great Bear Sea.

At a panel discussion during our fall art and conservation event, Precipice, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen said that he feels confident that over the next 18 months, we will see the most profound era of conservation and a shift in the dynamic of authority and land governance in this province.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen further action to this effect with BC signing a landmark agreement recognizing Haida Nation title over Haida Gwaii as well as interim measures halting mineral claim registrations and mining activities in the territories of the Gitxaała and Ehattesaht First Nations.

It’s an incredibly exciting time in conservation and we’re proud of the supportive role we’ve been able to play in all of this so far.

As we join in this momentum to meet 30% protection by 2030, CPAWS-BC is embarking on a strategic realignment to restructure and grow our organization in support of these goals over the next 6 years. We strive to be a leader not only in BC conservation but in corporate and non-profit leadership, too.

We took our first step when we announced our journey to a 4 day work week in February. Now we’re excited to take another one as we restructure our departments and create new internal opportunities and positions to support our growth and impact!

Join us in congratulating our newly appointed Conservation Directors, Kate MacMillan (Ocean Program) and Tori Ball (Land and Fresh Water Program). Kate and Tori, who have both been with CPAWS for many years, have been pivotal in advancing conservation efforts throughout the province. Stepping into these new senior leadership roles, they will spearhead the identification of critical conservation opportunities, drive innovation, and lead the charge toward enhanced protection of BC’s interconnected marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems. We’re also thrilled to announce the appointment of Sarah McNeil as our Operations Director. Sarah will play a critical role in ensuring the seamless functioning of our organization as we expand and pursue our mission. The combined vision, experience, and expertise of this dedicated leadership team will play an important role in advancing conservation efforts in BC.

But that’s not all! We’re celebrating the promotion of Carlo Acuña and Jacob Chila to key roles within our team. Carlo, now the Senior Campaigner (Ocean Program) and Jacob, now the GIS Specialist (Ocean Program), will continue to drive our mission forward with their passion and expertise.

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Thank you, Carlo, Jacob, Kate, Sarah, and Tori for the energy, innovation and passion you bring to the CPAWS-BC team. We’re so grateful to work with you and look forward to seeing you thrive in your new roles!

We also extend special thanks to our supporters and donors who have been an important part of this journey. It is with your continued support of our campaigns and commitment to our mission that we are able to take these important steps to advance conservation in BC.

Meaghen McCord, Executive Director

Meaghen McCord, Executive Director

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Strong Interim Measures are Necessary to Freeze the Footprint

Strong Interim Measures are Necessary to Freeze the Footprint

Dear Premier David Eby, Minister Osborne and Minister Cullen,

Our 18 organizations, coalitions and networks want to thank you and extend our support for the recent actions taken by the Government of British Columbia to implement interim measures halting mineral claim registrations and mining activities within the territories of the Gitxaała and Ehattesaht First Nations. These measures represent a crucial step towards meaningful reconciliation, where communities have a secure future with healthy forests and wildlife, clean water and thriving livelihoods. 

The Gitxaała and Ehattesaht Nations were forced to spend years of time, money and energy in litigation against the British Columbia government to push back against ongoing development and dense mining claims over the heart of their homelands. This is emblematic of the systemic challenges Indigenous communities continue to confront. 

Despite prevailing in court, Gitxaała and Ehattesaht were not granted any tangible relief on the ground. Perhaps the most egregious example of this was the registration of thirty mining claims in or on the edge of Ehattesaht territory since the launch of the court case to fight this exact practice. The interim measures now in place provide a measure of justice by addressing the immediate harm inflicted upon their territories through negotiation rather than further costly, time-consuming litigation, and could light the way for future processes that align with our commitments to UNDRIP. 

It is urgent to depart from centuries-old colonial practices that delay and deny recognition of Indigenous rights, such as the free entry mining claim system. Affirming UNDRIP demands more than mere lip service; it requires concrete actions to halt ongoing injustices and collaboratively build equitable decision-making systems for the future. The current system also puts sustainable revenue sources and local communities at risk by allowing activities incompatible with local uses, such as drilling 100 metres away from an eco-resort and in the middle of recreation and guiding tenures. By utilizing existing tools to halt harm on the ground, we can work towards long-term solutions and demonstrate our commitment to meaningful reconciliation, community health, and a healthy future for all.

It is essential to recognize that implementing these interim measures does not herald catastrophe or turn the world upside down. Instead, it signifies a necessary departure from practices rooted in the 1850s gold rush era, which informed the crafting of our current and wildly outdated Mineral Tenure Act. With a court mandate to change the free entry system, we applaud the government for advancing engagement on Mineral Tenure Act reform, leading ultimately to its repeal and replacement. 

The mining sector cannot achieve ESG standards without the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples in British Columbia. In addition, the only way that the BC and Federal governments will be able to advance their reconciliation, conservation and critical minerals goals is by freezing the industrial footprint and putting a pause on ongoing ecological harm while proper negotiation and engagement takes place for land-use changes and planning. 

This use of “solution space” was crucial in reaching consensus in the Land Resource Management Planning (“LRMP”) processes in the Great Bear Rainforest in the early 2000s. By suspending any potential industrial activity in ecologically important areas under specific consideration for conservation, the collaborative LRMP tables were able to complete their work without the threat of imminent loss, as First Nations communities were working on their own land use visions. This approach enables thoughtful, respectful processes to do their important work, from land use planning to transformational policy reforms.

We applaud the Government of British Columbia for its willingness to take meaningful action in support of Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and reconciliation. Using clear measures on the landbase to put a pause for proper engagement and negotiation is the best path to certainty and security for all. As advocates for justice and sustainability, we stand ready to support further efforts to build a future where all communities can thrive in harmony with the land.

Sincerely,

Jamie Kneen, BC Mining Law Reform Network

Tori Ball, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia

Mitch Friedman, Conservation Northwest

Jay Ritchlin, David Suzuki Foundation

Sarah Korpan, Ecojustice

Christianne Wilhelmson, Georgia Strait Alliance

Nikki Skuce, Northern Confluence Initiative

Lisa Matthaus, Organizing for Change

Leslie Anne St Amour, RAVEN

Shelley Luce, Sierra Club BC

Shannon McPhail, Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition

Adrienne Berchtold, SkeenaWild Conservation Trust

Liz McDowell, Stand.earth

Aaron Hill, Watershed Watch Salmon Society

Jeneen Sutherland, Wilderness Tourism Association

Robyn Duncan, Wildsight

Nicole Olivier, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Terry Bodman, Fraser Valley Salmon Society

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What we learned about False Creek

Community Spotlight: False Creek Friends Society

On February 14, our Marine Team joined False Creek Friends Society for a boat ride around the waters of sən’a?q w (hən’q’emin’əm’)/Sen’ákw (Skwxwú7mesh), colonially referred to as False Creek.

When you step aboard Zaida Schneider’s boat, you become enveloped by a sense of warmth and belonging. As you make your way inside the cabin, you’re greeted with a guest book filled with the memories of past visitors and surrounded by carefully placed photographs of loved ones and trinkets, all of which reflect his life and deep regard for the water. 

Lately, his focus has rested on the waters of sən’a?q w (hən’q’emin’əm’) / Sen’ákw (Skwxwú7mesh), colonially referred to as False Creek. Since time immemorial, False Creek has been an important gathering place for the Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlil̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations, as the protected, shallow waters offered an optimal location to fish and forage within the intertidal zone. 

In 2021, Zaida and his friend Tim Bray co-founded False Creek Friends Society – a nonprofit that aims to restore False Creek in accordance with the latest marine research and in ways that align with First Nations stewardship values. 

They were spurred to develop False Creek Friends Society out of a perceived necessity. In 2020, Zaida returned to Vancouver after a twelve year period sailing abroad. He soon came to realize that there was little regard for False Creek in terms of its ecological importance. He says there was a lack of direction given to sailors on how to use the water respectfully, particularly when it comes to avoiding pollution. 

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“There [was] no sense of the marine environment being special here…A complex ecosystem, doesn’t speak human language, it has its own language. But with enough work, study, and community science projects we can learn what it’s actually saying, because it is speaking. It has a voice, it has a personality, and we’re starting to introduce that person to the people of Vancouver and beyond.” 

For a long time, that non-human language False Creek speaks was ignored. 

By the late 1800’s, as more settlers began to occupy the area, the Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlil̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ were forcibly removed from their territories and on to reserves. Gradually, False Creek’s tidal flats were heavily polluted and industrialized, as they were surrounded by sawmills and logging roads. In 1912, The City of Vancouver and the Canadian Northern Railway took it upon themselves to forever alter this body of water by draining its easternmost end. False Creek, which had previously extended to present-day Clarke Drive, was filled in to what is now Main Street to accommodate railway expansion. 

In spite of the damage inflicted upon this ecosystem, False Creek’s biodiversity continues to persist. If you spend enough time walking the docks of False Creek you are likely to observe large schools of Northern anchovy, perhaps a couple of mottled and ochre sea stars, a plethora of Pacific harbour seals, Dungeness crabs, and if they happen to enter the shallows, you might catch a glance of a North Pacific spiny dogfish. In recent years, even Pacific herring have started reentering False Creek to spawn, thanks to the restoration efforts of Squamish Streamkeepers. 

Contrary to popular belief, False Creek is teaming with life and consciousness. Zaida wants community members to connect with False Creek in a way most haven’t before – acknowledging its personhood and building a relationship with it. 

“When you walk along the beach at low tide in the sun…when your shadow falls upon barnacles that have been dried out…they all go ‘ahhhh’. You can hear them exhale. They’re aware of what’s going on in their environment and awareness is really the foundation of personhood. If we ignore that complex, interdependent awareness we’re doomed.”

It’s through nurturing a personal connection with the water, that one becomes personally invested in its wellbeing. In 2021, Parks Canada set aside $130 million to work towards the creation of a network of national urban marine parks by 2030. Zaida hopes that False Creek will be designated one of these urban marine parks, in order to facilitate long-term stewardship. 

So the next time you’re walking along False Creek, take a moment to pause and reflect. Think about what these lands and waters have been and what they could be again. While wandering, if you happen to see a False Creek Friends Society boat tugging along, feel free to give Zaida a friendly smile and a wave. 

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Embracing Change: Our Journey to a 4-Day, 32-Hour Work Week

Embracing Change: Our Journey to a 4-Day, 32-Hour Work Week

February 8, 2024

When I took on the role of Executive Director at CPAWS-BC just over a year ago, the idea of a 4-day work week (4DWW) was pretty new to me. Having worked a traditional 5-day work week (often more!) for my entire career, the thought of compressing work into fewer days seemed pretty impossible. How could we manage our workload, fulfill commitments to partners, funders, and stakeholders, and move the dial on conservation? All in less time. To be honest, it was hard to envision.

I have always valued innovation and the opportunity to challenge the status quo so (thankfully) at the continued prompting of our team, a year of research on the topic, and deep learning from the experiences of other environmental NGOs, I eventually realized that the only thing holding us back was my outdated idea of what work “should” look like. After all, if entire cities and governments could shift the way they work, surely our team of 12 could do it too?!

Since joining CPAWS-BC in 2023, I have been wholeheartedly committed to ensuring we remain at the forefront of conservation. For me, this means leading an organization that embraces a people-centred work environment – one that values human well-being as much as our conservation achievements.

And so we’re thrilled to announce our transition to a pilot 4-day, 32-hour work week starting March 1st. By maintaining our commitment to compensation, benefits and leave, we ensure our dedication to our team’s well-being and our conservation goals remain at the forefront. This shift to a shorter work week is a recognition of our team’s hard work and a step towards a work-life balance that prioritizes both people and professional success. 

Over the next six months, we’ll closely monitor this transition, focusing on staff health and well-being in addition to our conservation impact. As we embark on this exciting phase, we’re filled with optimism and look forward to sharing our experiences and insights on our journey.

We view this as a significant milestone and opportunity to embrace the growing trend of new standards for work-life balance in the environmental sector. This change is designed to inspire and energize our team, reinforcing our mission without compromising our impact.

Our unwavering commitment to conservation, coupled with a focus on our team’s well-being, positions us to make a greater impact on protecting Nature. Our strategy is simple: by giving our team more time to recharge, we create an environment where people and Nature can thrive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in our mission. Together, we anticipate a future that’s not just brighter but more balanced, too.

Some details:

  • We will be out of the office on Fridays beginning on March 1, 2024.
  • Our pilot 4DWW runs from March 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024.
  • Our office will be open Monday to Thursday, with core organizational working hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • We’re striving toward the 100-80-100™ model: 100% compensation for 80% of the time, while delivering 100% of our impact.
Meaghen McCord, Executive Director

Meaghen McCord, Executive Director

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$60M for Great Bear Sea conservation shows ongoing collaboration

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$60M investment for Indigenous-led stewardship and sustainable development across the Great Bear Sea

New funding announced today by BC government adds to the funding announced last December

– December 5, 2023

Unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – Today’s announcement of $60 million from the Province of BC to support Indigenous-led initiatives along the Great Bear Sea is celebrated by the Canadian Parks And Wilderness Society British Columbia.

“This announcement shows the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous-led stewardship and sustainable development of the coast,” says Executive Director Meaghen McCord. “This adds to the other recent investments BC has made, and we are encouraged by BC’s ongoing efforts to support First Nation leadership across the province, on land and coast.”

The contribution from the BC government will be added to the previously announced Project Funding for Permanence (PFP) for the Great Bear Sea Initiative along with three other Indigenous-led initiatives announced almost exactly a year ago in Montreal.

The funding will support ongoing work, including the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network– a process started over a decade ago between Indigenous Nations, BC, and Canada. Collaborative and well-managed marine conservation efforts in this region can lead to benefits, including improving the health of the coast, protecting culturally important sites, protecting the future of fisheries and food security, and more.

The announcement comes on the heels of recent polling that shows there is strong support for marine protected areas in the Great Bear Sea. Seventy-nine percent of British Columbians support the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas that will protect 30 percent of the waters of BC’s Northern Shelf Bioregion (Great Bear Sea), while only nine percent were opposed, according to Mario Canseco.

“We know that a Marine Protected Area Network is what is needed to protect these sensitive and threatened marine areas, which First Nations in the area have been calling for for over a decade,” says Ocean Conservation Manager Kate MacMillan. “This funding will help the implementation of the Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan that was endorsed in February. This funding will help marine life and entire ecosystems to recover, rebound, and adapt, and it will also benefit local communities with dependable food and support local economies, now and for our children and grandchildren.

The funding will also support the Marine Plan Partnership (MaPP), Guardian programs, and sustainable economic development to support new businesses, permanent jobs, and more across the region. 

 

For more information or to request interviews, please contact: 

  • Nanwakolas Council, Caitlin Thompson: caitlinthompson@nanwakolas.com, (250) 305 8756; 
  • Coastal First Nations, Bessie Brown: bbrown@coastalfirstnations.ca, (604) 722-3331;
  • Coast Funds, Stephanie Butler: stephanie@coastfunds.ca, (604) 715 1926

Send a thank you!

Whenever conservation initiatives are announced, it’s important to let leaders know that Indigenous-led stewardship and sustainable development is important to you. Please help us in thanking Premier David Eby and Minister Nathan Cullen for this investment!

Send a thank you
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Historic BC conservation agreement offers over $1 billion and increased collaboration

Historic BC conservation agreement offers over $1 billion and increased collaboration

Recognition of First Nations as a partner is monumental in new nature conservation agreement

November 3, 2023 

Unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – Today’s announcement of a historic Trilateral Framework Agreement for Nature Conservation (the Agreement) sets the stage for significant action to beat back the biodiversity crisis and advances a new model of leadership to advance conservation in BC.

The federal government will be contributing $500M, and the BC government has over $500M to reach the goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030, and beyond. This includes a specific fund for old-growth forests and the opportunity for additional funds from the philanthropic community. The Agreement includes an important commitment to work together towards protecting 25 per cent by 2025, including on Indigenous protected areas.

“This is the largest investment into conservation in the history of the province, and the result of historic collaboration. BC now has all the tools needed to put these commitments into action in partnership with First Nations,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC.

As BC works toward the goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030, parallel work to support and recognize Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) must be prioritized with increased capacity, resources and coordination. CPAWS-BC is excited to see a commitment to co-develop long-term and interim measures for protecting wildife habitat and ecosystems outlined in the Agreement.

Alongside prioritizing new policy and legal pathways to support and recognize IPCAs, CPAWS-BC is also advocating for a new law that prioritizes biodiversity in all decision-making. This is a widely supported, key recommendation to protect threatened ecosystems such as ancient, old-growth forests and endangered grasslands. To ensure that this money is directed where it is needed to advance conservation, existing commitments to review and revise industry-focused resource policies and laws must be expedited to align with best practices.

“This agreement is a huge milestone and the start of major work. We know that protecting lands and waters takes time to get it right, and we need to make sure that endangered and intact landscapes are protected from immediate threats before they’re lost,” continued Ball.

BC will need to nearly double the amount of land protected to reach the goal of protecting 30 per cent. BC has 15.5 per cent of lands protected in long-term, legislated protected areas, and claims an additional 4.1 per cent in other conserved areas (OECMs). These other conserved areas do not meet the agreed-upon Canadian and international protection standards referred to in the Agreement and many can easily be moved to allow for activities harmful to biodiversity, such as logging.

“The agreement announced today provides a real dose of hope for change that can be made by empowering First Nations with additional capacity, sustainable economic growth and all governments pulling in the same direction to halt and reverse the rapid loss of biodiversity. It’s great to see BC has already launched some critical parts of this agreement such as the new $300 million fund for nature. There’s no time to lose on vital conservation initiatives,” says Ball.

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For interviews, contact:

Max Winkelman, Communications Manager
max@cpawsbc.org, 604-685-7445 x22

 

Background Facts:

  • A Canada-BC Nature Agreement was launched in February 2021 alongside commitments to support species at risk, including the Spotted Owl.
  • In December 2022, BC committed to protecting 30 per cent of lands by 2030, doubling the amount of land currently protected, and developing a conservation financing mechanism to support the protection of biodiverse areas through a mandate letter to Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship.
  • In October 2022, CPAWS released national polling results that show the majority of Canadians support protecting much more land and sea in Canada, and that the majority consider land and ocean protection a major voting issue.

 

Key facts about the Framework Agreement:

  • The funding includes $500M from the Federal government and $563M from the Provincial government. This includes funding that has already been made public, such as the $300M Conservation and Stewardship Alliance Fund announced last week.
  • Canada and B.C. have committed to an Old Growth Nature Fund, with matching funding of $50M each and potential funding from third-party organizations, and work in partnership with First Nations to permanently protect and conserve 4,000 to 13,000 km2 of high-priority at-risk old growth forests.
  • Canada will fund new restoration activities that achieve high co-benefits for species at risk, ecosystem services, connectivity, and ecological corridors. Canada and B.C. will also consult and cooperate with First Nations on species at risk protection and recovery, including ongoing partnerships to implement existing, and future, co-developed species protection and recovery plans.
  • A Tripartite Nature Committee will be established with representatives from Canada, B.C., and FNLC whose roles will be to coordinate activities under the Agreement.

 

About CPAWS-BC:

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, CPAWS has played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people.

The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope.

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Five things about the new $300m BC Conservation Fund

Five things about the new $300m BC Conservation Fund

The Government of B.C. just announced a new $300 provincial Conservation and Stewardship Alliance Fund. Here are 5 things you need to know about this fund designed to conserve land and marine areas:

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1 Long-term area-based conservation 

The Conservation and Stewardship Alliance Fund will supply funding for area-based conservation through the planning, establishment and implementation of protected and conserved areas. 

Activities that are eligible for funding include capacity support for planning and negotiations, removing tenures from the land base that would harm biodiversity, restoration work, and economic transition support for communities.

2 Indigenous-led

In order to be eligible, First Nations must have a leadership role in the proposed project. Research has shown that biodiversity thrives in protected areas managed by Indigenous Peoples. They have stewarded their territories since time immemorial and deeply understand the relationships between land, water, wildlife and people.

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3 Independent oversight

The fund will rest outside of provincial government, hosted within the BC Parks Foundation. It will be administered by an oversight committee that includes at least half First Nation representation. The committee will be made up of experts in the field of conservation and stewardship. This, along with the public reporting requirements, is critical as it will insulate the fund from political shifts and offer increased transparency. It’ll also enable the cooperation and coordination of funding for First Nations-led conservation initiatives.

4 Matched funding

Of the $300 million, $150 million comes from the provincial government and $150 million comes from private, philanthropic sources. This really underlines how important conservation is in British Columbia not only to the Government of B.C. but also to the residents of British Columbia. This fund will endure beyond 2030, supporting nature to make a full recovery beyond the current biodiversity targets.

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5 There may be more to come

The funding announcement comes ahead of the highly anticipated Tripartite Framework Agreement for Nature Conservation. This Agreement could bring a whopping additional $1.2B investment made by the federal and provincial governments to advance conservation across BC. 

The announcement of the Fund builds on recent commitments and action from  the province. Work is well underway to create the first province-wide Coastal Marine Strategy, which will provide a much-needed and long-overdue blueprint for coastal protection. Earlier this year, the province removed an archaic clause that prevented ecological protections from  “unduly reducing the supply of timber from British Columbia’s forests.” These are key milestones that set BC on a path to prioritize ecosystem health, keeping forests, wildlife and communities healthy for generations to come.

Send a thank you!

Will you help with conservation by sending an email to the top decision-makers in BC to let them know you’re stoked to see this great announcement – and you want it to roll out with Indigenous-led conservation at the core?

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You helped make this happen!

We at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia work to secure these commitments, and hold government accountable to them. That wouldn’t be possible without our network of supporters who fund us to do the work necessary to push critical conservation initiatives like this forward. We want to give a big “thank you” to everyone who has helped us whether you’ve donated to CPAWS-BC or called the government to speak up for nature. You are awesome!

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New $300m Nature Conservation Fund Welcomed By CPAWS-BC

New $300m nature conservation fund welcomed by CPAWS-BC New independent BC fund is aimed at supporting Indigenous-led protection

Unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) welcomes today’s announcement of a new $300 million fund for conservation projects. The Conservation and Stewardship Alliance Fund will help the province deliver on its commitment to protect biodiversity in BC and, in partnership with First Nations, will set nature on a path to recovery by 2050.

The new fund is made up of a $150 million contribution from the provincial government and $150 million contributed from private, philanthropic sources. It will support the creation of land and marine-based protected areas and is overseen by a committee of First Nation representatives, conservation experts and ex-officio government.

“This is a massive step towards closing the gap in ongoing funding for conservation projects in BC. The fund’s requirement for projects to include First Nation leadership is critical and promotes reconciliation in a way that supports Indigenous rights and values,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation manager for CPAWS-BC. “This is the kind of long-term funding that we have been calling for and shows the BC government is serious about biodiversity loss and the extinction crisis.”

Key facts:

  • The Fund is hosted at and administered by the BC Parks Foundation, which will provide at least a 1:1 match for approved projects; 
  • The BC government provided $150M to create the Fund, previously called a Conservation Financing Mechanism and committed to in Dec 2022;
  • Eligible activities include capacity planning, removal of tenures, restoration work,  stewardship programs, and economic transition, and all projects must include a First Nations leadership role;
  • The outcomes of the initiatives are long-term protection designations, working towards the 30 per cent protection by 2030 targets;
  • Five new Forest Landscape Plans have been confirmed in partnership with local First Nations; Bulkley Valley, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, East-Central Vancouver Island and West-Central Vancouver Island.

To make sure these funds will truly support Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship on the ground, CPAWS-BC wants to see the province work with First Nations to develop a pathway to recognize Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas through legislation or policy.

“Having an expert and Indigenous-focused independent oversight committee for the fund will provide critical connections to community needs, transparency and longevity,” says Ball.  

The funding announcement comes ahead of the highly anticipated Tripartite Framework Agreement for Nature Conservation which could bring the largest investment into nature conservation in the history of the province. This positive shift is echoed through the promise of a province-wide Coastal Marine Strategy and work to shift the forestry industry to integrate long-term ecosystem health. These initiatives not only prioritize healthy lands and waters but also support communities and their economic well-being through the transition.

– 30 – 

For interviews, contact:

Max Winkelman (he/him),
Communications Manager
CPAWS-BC
max@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 x22 

Background Facts:

  • In December 2022, BC committed to protecting 30% of lands by 2030, doubling the amount of land currently protected, and developing a conservation financing mechanism to support the protection of biodiverse areas through a mandate letter to Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship.
    • In February 2023, BC committed to rolling out a new conservation financing mechanism within a six-month timeframe as part of its forest policy updates. 
    • Alongside this announcement, the government removed a clause in February that ecological protections could not “unduly reduce the supply of timber from British Columbia’s forests.”

About CPAWS-BC: 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, CPAWS has played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people.

The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope. 

www.cpawsbc.org

Take action! Send a thank you note
Blog: Five Things About The New $300m BC Conservation Fund
Photo of Mama Inlet. Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

Five Things To Know About the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

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Five Things To Know About the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

Earlier this year, we celebrated that 15 Indigenous Nations, BC, and Canada endorsed the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan. What did this mean exactly?

Here are 5 things you should know about the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network:

1) Many years, many voices

The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network was created collaboratively by Indigenous and coastal communities from North Vancouver Island, along the Central Coast to the North Coast and across to Haida Gwaii. 

For over 10 years, there have been many meetings and conversations with people who live and work on the coast, including the fishing, tourism, and environmental sectors. 

Together, governance partners—First Nations, federal and provincial governments—and stakeholders have developed a plan that will protect the vibrant network of life in the Great Bear Sea for generations to come. 

Right: Photo of Coastal Guardian Watchmen collecting data on marine species 
Photo Credit: Georgia Lloyd-Smith

2) More fish in the ocean

Right now, we see fish populations in Pacific Canada at a fraction of their historical levels [1]. The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network is a tool to help rebuild fisheries and recover ecosystems, limiting catches of certain species should be coupled with protecting habitats where marine life feed, breed, and grow up. 

We can look at long-term studies from other areas to see the real and powerful benefits of marine protected areas for helping fisheries and improving food security. One example is the marine protected area network established in California a decade ago which has already shown encouraging results, including more and larger fish beyond the boundaries of the protected areas, including species targeted by fisheries [2][3]. Over the first 10 years, local fisheries either improved or stayed the same in terms of catch, effort and dollar value [4]. 

Left: Photo of a China Rockfish
Photo Credits: Ed Bierman (CC by 2.0); CDFW by Christy Juhasz (CC by 2.0)

3) Defence from many different threats

Marine protected areas limit activities that threaten marine life. Whether it’s the loss of critical ecosystems like cold water corals and sponges, seagrass and kelp or impacts on marine animals from ship dumping, we can reduce threats to ocean health by managing destructive human activities. Canada has committed to ban the most harmful activities in all marine protected areas, these include oil and gas, mining, bottom-trawling, and dumping. When the damage and destruction from these industrial activities is removed, these areas are refuges that better support marine life and whole ecosystems to adapt to other threats, such as warming waters and ocean acidification [5][6]. 

Right: Photo of ferry and dolphins swimming nearby.
Photo credit: Markus Thompson

4) Benefits far beyond the boundaries

Marine protected areas provide both direct and indirect benefits to local economies and beyond. Marine protected areas help rebuild and sustain fisheries. They’re a proven tool to help enhance community involvement and support marine tourism. Local economies also benefit from creating conservation-related jobs such as monitoring, management, and research [7][8].

Marine protected areas also protect the ecosystem services these areas provide, such as protecting key coastal habitats that reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate change threats such as storm damage, flooding and coastal erosion [9], and protecting and restoring kelp forest and seagrass meadows that help the sequestration of carbon [10]. Moreover, a healthy, safe, and thriving ocean uplifts cultural and spiritual values across generations. 

Left: Photo of humpback whale and kayakers
Photo credit: Markus Thompson

5) Supercharge conservation effectiveness!

Establishing a connected network of marine protected areas in the Great Bear Sea will defend and support a diversity of habitats. By establishing a network of marine protected areas rather than creating individual protected areas without considering the connections across the ocean, will supercharge their effectiveness. This is the opportunity to work together across communities and sectors to amplify the benefits of individual protected areas and ensure the large-scale processes that keep ecosystems and wildlife populations healthy will remain.

Right: Photo of Mama Inlet.
Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

What's next?

A healthy ocean full of fish, kelp, and whales, and is part of the legacy we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. 

After years of work to develop the draft action plan for the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network, the announcement in February 2023 meant that everyone can continue working on the details to make the plan a reality. Equipped with the long-standing process between Indigenous Nations and governments, input advisory tables with stakeholders, and feedback during the public consultations, we can build on these collaborations.

Debra Sinarta, Marine Research Coordinator
Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager

Left: Photo of Mama Inlet.
Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

CPAWS BC has been working with decision makers and stakeholders, including local communities and fishers, to support the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network for over 10 years , and we want to ensure that you know all about it. Over the next few months, we will be posting blogs about different topics related to this part of the ocean and what’s happening on and in the water.

Learn more about the Great Bear Sea at www.greatbearsea.org

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CPAWS-BC
#241-312 Main Street
Vancouver, BC  V6A 2T2

Unceded territory of the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations

info@cpawsbc.org
Tel.: (604) 685-7445

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