Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC— Chief Rebecca David of Pauquachin Nation will join a special panel on marine pollution alongside leading coastal environmental groups on Tuesday, September 19 in Vancouver. Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis is presented as part of an art exhibition showing in Vancouver this fall, Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC.
Lucas Harris, Executive Director, Surfrider Canada
Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis is hosted by Alicia Elgert, Ocean Conservation Campaigner, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Coulmbia (CPAWS-BC).
The coast faces many threats–from pollution to loss of salmon habitat to overharvesting. That’s why it’s so hard to believe BC is one of the only coastal regions in North America without a cohesive plan and laws to protect it.
British Columbians are drawing a new blueprint for the coast. A blueprint, co-designed with Indigenous nations, that ensures marine life and coastal communities get the future they deserve. Learn more: Blueprintforthecoast.ca
Event information:
Kate MacMillan Ocean Conservation Manager kate@cpawsbc.org
About Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC
Precipice is a new art exhibition that tells stories of biodiversity loss and hope in British Columbia. Working in mixed mediums, seven BC-based artists will compel you to mourn, understand and ultimately protect the lands and waters of Canada’s most biodiverse province.
From September 15-23, 2023 Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.
Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jessie Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.
Precipice is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia. Find more information about the Precipice art exhibition: ontheprecipice.ca
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC — Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC welcomes the public for Opening Night on Friday, September 15 from 6-9 PM. Celebrate opening night with a very first look at this special show. Enjoy wine, beer or kombucha and music from Hussein DJ A-SLAM all night.
*The official opening is open to media. Media wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP online or email media@cpawsbc.org
About Precipice: Changing the course of the Extinction Crisis in BC
Precipice is a new art exhibition that tells stories of biodiversity loss and hope in British Columbia. Working in mixed mediums, seven BC-based artists will compel you to mourn, understand and ultimately protect the lands and waters of Canada’s most biodiverse province.
From September 15-23, 2023 Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.
Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jessie Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.
We open on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 6-9 PM and would love to have you as our guest.
Regular Gallery hours are free and open to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 3-6PM, in addition to special evening and weekend programs.
Mediating on Nature art workshop with Cherry Archer: Sunday September 17, 2023
Beginner-friendly ceramics workshop with Clare Wilkening: September 23, 2023
Precipice is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia. Find more information about the Precipice art exhibition: ontheprecipice.ca
CPAWS-BC invites you to our 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Over the past year, Canada’s been at centre stage in the global conversation about the role of conservation in reconciliation and decolonization, protecting lands and waters, and preserving and rebuilding biodiversity. CPAWS-BC members like you played a key role in the progress made right here in British Columbia to safeguard the wild places that we all love.
Join us at the 2023 AGM for a look back at everything we accomplished last year with your support, and a glimpse at what’s ahead for Nature.
This year’s AGM will be once again held virtually using Zoom. Below, you’ll find all of the resources you need including last year’s minutes and a proxy form for CPAWS-BC members who are unable to attend the AGM on September 27.
Accessibility: This event is held over Zoom virtual conference. You can connect by phone or online audio and/or video. There will be a visual slideshow to accompany program updates.
Please join us at 5:25PM for a quick Zoom tutorial, including how we’ll motion, second, and vote during the AGM.
How to join: To minimize technical and security challenges during the meeting, and to ensure that you are able to participate fully, all attendees must RSVP by September 25, 2023. Login and password information will be sent before the meeting only to those who registered in advance. There will be no on-the-day registration.
Questions? Please contact our team: info@cpawsbc.org or call 604.685.7445 x33
Precipice: Changing the course of the extinction crisis in BC
September 15-23, 2023 Alternatives Gallery, 1659 Venables Street Vancouver, BC.
Precipice is an art exhibition that tells stories of biodiversity loss and hope in British Columbia.
Working in mixed mediums, seven BC-based artists will compel you to mourn, understand and ultimately protect the lands and waters of Canada’s most biodiverse province.
Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.
The gallery is always free to visit during public hours. Tuesday to Thursday from 3-6 PM.
Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jesse Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.
Indigenous Peoples have cared for lands and waters since time immemorial. As original stewards, Indigenous Peoples’ leadership, knowledge and experience are essential to mapping a future where communities and Nature can thrive.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) play a critical role in conserving biodiversity and reducing the effects of climate change.
What are IPCAs?
The Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) report, We Will Rise, defines IPCAs as “lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. Culture and language are the heart and soul of an IPCA”.
IPCAs can vary in many ways, but they share three essential elements:
They are Indigenous-led
They elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities
They represent a long-term commitment to conservation
Indigenous Peoples are the most effective land managers. Indigenous-managed lands and waters span approximately 20% of the planet, yet support 80% of the world’s biodiversity. IPCAs support Indigenous cultural connection to the land and waters, encourage respectful and reciprocal interactions with the natural world, and help address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. IPCAs are a path forward to advance reconciliation and support biodiversity.
IPCAs advance reconciliation efforts
Supporting IPCAs provides an opportunity for the BC and Canadian governments to advance reconciliation by recognizing and upholding Indigenous rights.
Government support for IPCAs includes:
Co-developing protected areas with Indigenous Nations
Establishing a legal framework to recognize IPCAs, and
Providing continued resources to support Indigenous Guardian programs across BC and Canada
IPCAs recognize the intimate relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the lands and waters within their Territories. They provide opportunities for Indigenous People’s inherent right to govern their lands, water, wildlife and plants; practice their culture; and develop or use natural resources.
IPCAs help protect biodiversity
There are dozens of examples in BC where IPCAs are already leading the way to advance conservation on land and in the ocean.
Current IPCA proposals would add just over 9% to BC’s protected area land base. Added protection for millions of hectares of lands and waters would support vibrant networks of life, provide a haven for species at risk and create climate refuges for wildlife—all under the leadership of Indigenous Nations.
IPCAs weave together Indigenous Knowledge and western science to protect biodiversity. Indigenous Knowledge—accumulated over thousands of years of lived experiences with the land— provides immense insight into how to support biodiversity. Using both knowledge systems strengthens efforts to address complex environmental issues like biodiversity loss.
T’akú Tlatsini: declared an IPCA in January 2023. Photo: Taku River Tlingit First Nation
How are IPCAs Created?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating an IPCA. However, Indigenous communities lead in every aspect, from designation to management planning, monitoring, enforcement, and more.
No pathway currently exists to recognize or support IPCAs through provincial or federal legislation or policy. Indigenous Peoples have the right to self-determination and can establish an IPCA in their territories without legal recognition from non-Indigenous governments. Recognition and support, where requested, from BC and Canada would help support the creation of IPCAs. When invited, provincial and federal acknowledgement of IPCAs would ensure management plans are respected and help limit any expressed prohibited activities including mining, logging or bottom-trawling that can harm the environment.
Indigenous-led conservation signals a path toward a brighter future. Centering Indigenous Peoples at the forefront of land-use planning and decision-making in their territories helps uphold Indigenous rights to culture, land, and ways of life.
How can you support Indigenous-led conservation?
Many Indigenous laws and cultures have deep connections to the health of Nature and biological diversity today. These teachings guide a balanced relationship with the land, water, plants, and animals in a way that ensures abundance for future generations.
Fish, wildlife and their habitats are declining at an alarming rate globally and right here in BC. Over 1,600 species at risk call BC home.
IPCAs play a critical role to advance reconciliation, conserve biodiversity and reduce the effects of climate change as we all work together to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
Resources
By learning about Indigenous-led conservation and sharing it with others, your support starts here. Below are resources for further learning and actions to show your support for Indigenous-led conservation.
When given adequate protection to thrive, Nature supports healthy wildlife and resilient communities. It’s the common ground that sustains us all.
Yet Nature is at a breaking point and we’re seeing the effects of continued degradation throughout BC. From threatened Grizzly bear populations and dwindling caribou numbers to critically endangered northern spotted owls, biodiversity is declining faster than ever before.
BC to protect 30% of lands by 2030
Good news! In partnership with Indigenous Nations and communities, the BC government has committed to protecting 30% of lands by 2030.
We’ve worked hard to advocate for this commitment, and now it’s time to hold the government accountable to meeting these important targets.
How are we doing?
Protected areas cover 15.6% of the land base in BC, meaning the province will need to nearly double current land protection to meet its 2030 target.
In addition, the BC government includes Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs). These are areas that weren’t set aside to protect ecosystems and have often been wrongly included in the tally of total protected areas. A community watershed is a good example of this.
This false accounting adds an extra 4% to reach 19.6%. You can learn more about this from CPAWS-BC’s 2021 report, An Honest Accounting.
Research affirms that biodiversity thrives on lands and protected areas managed by Indigenous Peoples. As stewards of these natural environments since time immemorial, they hold intimate knowledge and understanding of the relationship between land, water, wildlife and people. Indigenous Nations across the province are already taking bold action to address biodiversity loss and conserve ecosystems through Indigenous governance and knowledge systems. New approaches to conservation are being imagined, stewardship initiatives are being launched, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are being declared.
Photo: Adam Combs
Did you know? Indigenous Nations can establish IPCAs under their inherent rights and laws, but provincial and federal governments lack the legal frameworks required to recognize them as protected areas.
Supporting Indigenous-led conservation presents an important opportunity for the BC government to increase land protection in a way that upholds Indigenous rights and advances provincial commitments to reconciliation. This includes:
Co-developing protected areas with Indigenous Nations
Establishing a legal framework to recognize IPCAs
Providing continued resources to support Indigenous Guardian programs across BC
Apply Rigorous Standards to all Protected Areas
Not all protected areas in BC are equal. While 15.6% of the province’s landbase is protected by robust designations like provincial parks and conservancies, the other 4.1% claimed as OECMs remains vulnerable to activities that directly harm biodiversity. Unlike protected areas and conservancies, OECMs can be established for objectives outside of conservation as long as management practices provide some level of Nature protection. OECMs must meet clear national and international criteria to be effective, ensuring Nature is adequately protected. This is where BC falls short.
Photo: Adam Combs
Did you know? Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) are one of three designations that BC claims as OECMs, and they cover nearly 1.5 million hectares of land. Many OGMAs don’t actually contain old growth forests because they operate as rotating reserves, meaning they are harvested on a rolling 80-year cycle. While industrial activity may be limited to specific areas during certain times, logging, oil, gas and road-building is still permitted in OGMAs, allowing continued destruction of important wildlife habitats.
The BC government needs to scrub its protected area accounting and apply rigorous standards across the board. False reporting inflates BC’s protected areas total and pulls potential away from other proposals and areas that will be more effective at safeguarding biodiversity. Although OECMs that meet the required standards can be valuable in some cases, Indigenous-led conservation and protected areas are the most effective tools to achieve 30% by 2030.
Prioritize Resilient Networks of Protected Lands
Biodiversity is being lost at a staggering rate due to continued habitat destruction. From industrial development to climate change, landscapes around us are constantly changing, forcing animals to move and adapt in new ways. Wildlife needs large, connected landscapes in order to thrive.
Did you know? There are 55 Grizzly bear populations in BC and 60% of these are threatened with extinction. Grizzly bears rely on large tracts of wild habitats to forage for food throughout different seasons. As they feed and roam from rocky rivers to forest floors, rich nutrients are deposited back into the earth, supporting a much broader network of life.
Natural habitats are shrinking and increasingly fragmented by roads, extraction sites and natural disasters. This leaves wildlife isolated to smaller tracts of wilderness, reducing their access to food sources, breeding potential and safe places to seek refuge. As the keystone Grizzly bear demonstrates, when one species becomes threatened ripple effects are felt throughout entire ecosystems.
As BC develops new protected areas, it’s critical these are strategically established to form larger networks of wilderness landscapes that will serve as wildlife corridors. Protecting large and interconnected lands and waters will place us all on a path to a more resilient and vibrant future.
Support these important landscapes
There are plenty of pathways to achieving 30% by 2030. Explore a few of the unique and important landscapes that will help us better safeguard biodiversity in BC:
Support the sməlqmíx, the syilx people of the Similkameen Valley, in their important work to protect water, restore habitat, and safeguard species within the Ashnola IPCA. [Learn more]
The Gwininitxw Indigenous Protected Area is located in the upper Skeena River watershed and protects 170,000 hectares of critical habitat for mountain goats, wolverines, grizzlies and wild salmon within Wilps Gwininitxw Territory. [Learn more]
Support Kaska Dena’s work to protect Dene Kʼéh Kusān, the largest intact landscape in BC. This proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) would protect nearly four million hectares of wilderness lands abundant with wildlife like caribou, moose and song birds. [Learn more]
The Salmon Parks project initiated and led by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht Ḥaw̓iiḥ (hereditary leaders) is aimed at restoring wild salmon by recovering and protecting key watersheds in Nootka Sound, on Vancouver Island’s west coast. [Learn more]
Nestled between two provincial parks is the Skagit-Manning donut hole, a patch of unprotected land covering about 5,800 hectares. This small but mighty parcel sits at the heart of Skagit Valley and provides vital habitat for spotted owls and Grizzly bears. [Learn more]
A new National Park Reserve in the nxʷəlxʷəltantət (South Okanagan-Similkameen) grasslands will honour the cultural values of the sməlqmix / suknaʔkinx (Okanagan First Nation) and protect about 27,300 hectares of one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. [Learn more]
Take Action
Nature is in crisis. We are in crisis. To ensure nature and people thrive in the future, all levels of government must address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Here in BC, we need an action plan that prioritizes well-managed, interconnected and Indigenous-led protected areas to achieve 30% protection by 2030.
Send a letter to the BC government and tell them you want to see them work together to support Indigenous-led conservation and protect Nature. BC’s biodiversity and our health depends on it.
When I joined CPAWS-BC at the start of the new year, I knew I was getting the chance to put my passion and skills for marine research into action. Little did I know, in my first month, I’d get to attend a Congress gathering with the world’s top thought leaders and marine guardians and have the opportunity to learn, connect and share solutions for marine conservation.
CPAWS-BC ocean conservation team at IMPAC5. (From left to right: Meaghen McCord, Jacob Chila, Alicia Elgert, Carlo Acuña, Debra Sinarta, and Kate MacMillan).
The 5th International Marine Protected Area Congress (IMPAC5) marked my first month working with CPAWS-BC and my first experience attending a Congress of this scale. While these firsts sparked excitement, they simultaneously cast shadows of doubt and nerves. It’s a feeling I know many of my peers experience too. It’s not always comfortable to enter spaces where youth and others haven’t always been invited into or included. I feared being trivial and inconvenient in rooms full of important decision-makers, leaders, and ocean champions who I look up to. I’m happy to say my experience at IMPAC5 proved those apprehensions wrong. In contrast to the pressures of formal meetings and tense negotiations, the congress space welcomed honest conversations and meaningful connections. Day by day, my anxieties lifted and, in turn, uncovered such an empowering and memorable week.
IMPAC5 took place February 5-9, 2023, on the lands and waters of the Coast Salish Peoples in Vancouver. CPAWS-BC’s ocean conservation team joined Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, scientists, youth, and community leaders for a week of expert presentations, workshops, family festival activities, and critical conservation commitments. The perspectives and collective voices of the global ocean community helped shape a bright path toward advancing marine conservation both here in BC and beyond.
Here are three highlights from my time at IMPAC5:
1. Celebrating Conservation Wins!
Marine conservation work fully embodies the sentiment, “it’s a marathon not a sprint”. It can take years, sometimes decades, of planning and meaningful consultation before introducing a new marine protected area (MPA) in BC. At IMPAC5, we had the special opportunity to celebrate several exciting announcements:
These milestones signal a hopeful course toward stronger ocean protection. We’re celebrating these ‘wins’ thanks to the leadership of Indigenous Nations, collaboration between governments, and community voices like you who took action to speak up for the ocean we love and depend on. I’m encouraged by the work that’s been done and feel motivated that together we can move forward on these commitments.
Photo by Markus Thompson, Thalassia Environmental
2. Reflecting on JEDI Knowledge-Sharing Sessions
Each day at IMPAC5 introduced an incredible series of keynote speakers, symposiums, poster presentations, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The presenters and panellists explored timely themes, including managing MPAs, addressing the climate crisis, and advancing the blue economy. In between jumping from session to session, I found myself especially moved by conversations of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).
Notes, quotes, and reflection questions I captured from two knowledge-sharing sessions.
I enjoyed the “Social Equity and Marine Conservation” session with Nathan Bennett, Aulani Wilhelm, Natalie Ban, Danika Klieber, María José Barragán, Elise Huffer, and Philip Akins. The panellists shared valuable insight and guidance on how organizations can equitably pursue marine conservation. Our conversation highlighted the gaps and structural barriers to integrating equity in conservation actions while envisioning ways to spotlight the human dimensions of marine conservation.
Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager (CPAWS-BC), joined Natalie Groulx (CPAWS), Véronique Bussière (CPAWS/SNAP-QC) and Gwen Bridge to unpack how and what it means to decolonize conservation and advocacy work within the environmental non-governmental organizations(ENGOs). This session was a meaningful opportunity to reflect as an organization and exchange perspectives with other ENGOs around the world.
3. IMPAC5 Ocean Fest: Clay Herring Workshop with Clare Wilkening
Clay herring creations made by participants at the workshop.
While sessions were happening inside, IMPAC5 Ocean Fest also turned up across Downtown Vancouver. CPAWS-BC hosted a series of events, including a Speaker Series, an interactive Festival Tent, and a photo contest. Our final Ocean Fest event was a ceramic clay herring workshop at the Massy Art Gallery led by local ceramic artist, Clare Wilkening.
This workshop was a welcomed break from the buzzing conference, and a perfect excuse to get my hands dirty. Artists, scientists, families, and community members filled the space. A calming and grounding energy filled the room. Together, we spent the afternoon molding clay herring—each uniquely beautiful— and sharing chatting about artistic practices, community, and conservation. There are deep connections between art and conservation. Bridging these parallels can be a powerful tool to convey important messages of biodiversity loss, evoke feelings of empathy towards nature, and catalyze action for conservation issues.
The clay creations from this workshop will find a home in Clare’s upcoming art installation that celebrates the importance of herring.
Coming out of IMPAC5, I feel heartened and encouraged by our new and renewed commitments to implementing stronger protection standards for MPAs. I’m hopeful that by working together with Indigenous leadership and supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts, Canada can protect 30% of the ocean by 2023 and more. Everyone has a voice of belonging in shaping the future. And while it’s important to diversify the voices in the room, the voices outside count too. I’m excited to dive deeper into my staff role and build a global network of ocean protection.
The CPAWS-BC’s ocean team will continue doing what we do best. We’re focusing on the best ways to support Indigenous partners as they chart a new path forward for land and water conservation on their territories. We’ll keep bringing our extensive expertise in science communication, map-making and GIS analysis, and community engagement to local areas where big conservation gains are possible. With your continued support, we’ll amplify the stories and voices of people protecting nature in every corner of the province and all along the coastline.
We can’t do this without you. It’s more important than ever that your voice for nature is included in decision-makers’ vision for the future. With your support, we’ll work to ensure these commitments for ocean conservation are fulfilled.
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