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March 6 2025

How we are bringing Youth together to learn about Conservation and Advocacy

How we are bringing Youth together to learn about Conservation and Advocacy

Building community & kicking off the next cohort of our Young Leaders in Conservation Program

March 6, 2025

This past weekend we launched a new year of our Young Leaders in Conservation Program. We gathered in the mossy glow of the forests of Squamish at the Cheakamus Centre on the traditional, unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Participants traveled from across BC to get here – arriving by boat, bus, plane, and even bike! – to connect with fellow passionate and environmentally conscious youth and learn about conservation policy in BC.

We opened our weekend on Friday night around a campfire that some of the youth so expertly and efficiently struck up and kept alive. We spent some time setting intentions and getting to know one another before tucking into our cozy bunk-bed cabins.

Day one of the kickoff summit was all about Terrestrial Conservation. Tori Ball, the CPAWS-BC Conservation Director for the Lands and Freshwaters Team, gave an overview of the history of conservation in BC, and highlighted the many opportunities to meet the goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. We also spent some time in small groups workshopping how to tailor our messaging to specific audiences in a message box exercise.

Later we were joined by Green Party MLA Jeremy Valeriote. Jeremy shared about his personal and party priorities, and ways he hopes to advocate for nature while in office. He particularly underscored the importance of passion and perseverance when working on environmental issues and speaking to the government.

We closed day one with a documentary screening of the film Keepers of the Land (2023) – a gorgeous film about how the Kitasoo Xai-Xais Nation are stewarding their lands and waters and guarding their coast in the face of colonialism and environmental threats.

We awoke on Sunday to surprise sunshine beaming through the cedar and fir canopies above us, and spent the morning exploring the forest. Some of the youth in our group had knowledge to share with us about the flora and fauna of the area, particularly all the incredibly lush lichens, mosses, trees, and ferns. A huge highlight was visiting a staggering 900+ year old red cedar. We mused about what this incredible tree has lived through and seen while linking hands around its wide base (nearly 20 of us fit around it!).

Our learning on day two focused on Marine Conservation. Kate MacMillan, our Oceans Team Conservation Director, gave us an overview of how marine conservation works in BC, highlighting the importance of Indigenous-led conservation, the nuances and jurisdictional challenges of protecting oceans, and the ways CPAWS-BC works with crown governments and Indigenous partners to advance ocean protection.

After a hearty lunch we were joined by two more elected members of government – Jenna Stoner, District of Squamish Councillor, and Liberal MP Patrick Weiler. Both Jenna and Patrick shared about their respective backgrounds in environmental advocacy and law, as well as their advice for how to keep environmental issues top of mind in the new political and economic times we are in. It was so encouraging to hear from these leaders about how their personal commitments to climate and nature inform their work in government.

This weekend was such a beautiful experience, and what made it so incredible was the people who attended. Everyone brought such diversity of knowledge, passion, and life experiences to share. It was a joy to be together in the flourishing forests of Squamish, and we cannot wait to continue to learn together over the next few months as we meet regularly for online workshops and webinars about conservation policy and advocacy skills, and travel to Victoria for our Lobby Summit later this Spring.

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November 14 2024

How our Young Leaders in Conservation are Unifying to Advocate for Nature in BC

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How Our Young Leaders In Conservation Are Unifying To Advocate For Nature In BC

Reflecting on our 2024 Young Leaders in Conservation Summit

Nov. 18, 2024 – by Eden Luymes, Youth Engagement Coordinator

On a rainy November weekend, 19 youth from our Young Leaders in Conservation Program gathered at the Brew Creek Centre for our 2024 Summit. Under cedar fronds dripping with fresh rain, we gathered to learn about policy pathways to protect nature in BC, brainstorm and scheme creative campaign ideas, sip cozy beverages in the lodge, meet with and learn from local government representatives, and build community with like-minded, environmentally-conscious youth from across the province.

Take a walk through some of the many workshops, highlights, and learnings from this beautiful weekend with our Young Leaders.

Learning from Squamish and Lil’wat Culture

Our Summit took place on the unceded shared territory of the Sk̲wx̲u7mesh (Squamish) Nation and L̓il̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nation. We opened our weekend with a traditional welcome, beautiful songs, and a dance led by Shelby, a Cultural Ambassador from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). This was a wonderful way to ground ourselves in place and reflect on how we can work towards meaningful decolonization and support Indigenous leadership on the land.

We also had the incredible opportunity to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and learn more about Squamish and Lil’wat cultures and relationships to the land. I was particularly struck by the artistry and deep symbolism in the carving work, and the process for collecting, processing, and weaving wild mountain goat hair in Squamish tradition.

Visiting the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on the unceded shared territory of the Sk̲wx̲u7mesh (Squamish) Nation and L̓il̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nation. Photo by Hailey Boehnr

AK Saini from Organizing for Change presenting a campaign strategy session on “Organizing to Win.” Photo by Mike Crane Photography

Organizing to ‘Win’ for Nature

One of the goals of this Summit was to familiarize ourselves with local conservation policy issues, and identify ways we can lobby for more and better protected areas in BC. CPAWS-BC’s Research and Policy Coordinator Meg Bjordal and Marine Research Coordinator Debra Sintra presented on their policy research and campaign work. They identified what areas of terrestrial and marine conservation need additional effort so the young leaders can advocate for action.

This presentation was complemented by a campaign strategy session on “Organizing to Win” with AK Saini from Organizing for Change. We fleshed-out our campaigns by identifying decision-makers, power-holders, and potential points of intervention for our activism, lobbying, or policy recommendations. This exercise will help the young leaders develop their policy asks for MLAs by identifying where we can exert pressure, mobilize our efforts effectively, and actually “win” for nature.

Story-telling in Activism

This weekend, the Young Leaders learned that humans are a species of storytellers. As much as we love a good statistic, it’s important to build a narrative in our activism. We covered how to do this in a session with Sarah Doty from Capulet.We shared our conservation “encounter” – our origin story for our work on environmental issues. Our “encounters” included moments in childhood, learning about a species at risk, or a cultural connection to the land. We discussed the importance of not only conveying an “ask” in our messages to the government, but also a vision. We ended the session by brainstorming increasingly wild and hair-brained ideas to visually convey the importance of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Ideas ranged from murals of endangered species in the locations where they should be thriving, to a cake presented to the Premier…

Young Leaders discussing their 'encounter' during a session on building narrative in activism by Sarah Doty from Capulet. Photo by Mike Crane Photography

Exploring the property green houses at Brew Creek Centre where the food we enjoyed over the weekend was grown. Photo by Eden Luymes

Eating & Growing Sustainably

Our Summit took place at the beautiful Brew Creek Centre, where the food – catered by LC Catering – was particularly outstanding. LC Catering provided seasonal and local meals, and we had the opportunity to see where much of the food we were enjoying was grown – right on site at the property farm! Eli took us on a fascinating tour of fields, greenhouses, geodesic domes full of flowers, and an incredible aquaponics facility where koi fertilize the greenest lettuce I’ve ever seen. It was delicious and exciting to see how much gorgeous food can be locally and sustainably grown here, even in bleak November!

Mutual Inspiration with Elected Representatives

We had the incredible honour of welcoming Mayor of Whistler Jack Crompton, Mayor of Squamish Armand Hurford, and MP Patrick Weiler, Liberal Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country to our Summit. They spoke on a panel about how to effectively influence government, and provided detailed advice for young leaders and activists looking to effect change at the municipal, provincial, and federal level. It was encouraging to hear that governments are listening to young voices, and though more work needs to be done, we were mutually inspired by this session. After the panel, the Young Leaders were able to chat and informally connect with the panelists, sharing their thoughts and perspectives over coffee and snacks.

Mayor of Whistler Jack Crompton and MP Patrick Weiler speaking to the Young Leaders on a panel about effectively influencing government. Photo by Mike Crane Photography

Young Leaders connecting during a small group discussion at the Summit. Photo by Mike Crane Photography

Connecting Like-minded youth

Above all, we were all deeply inspired by one another. At times in this work, especially when you are starting out, it can feel like the work you are doing is isolated. The problems we face – biodiversity loss, climate crisis, extractive relationships to the land and colonial culture – are enormous; petrifying and daunting. The odds seem stacked against us. However, gathering together this weekend was a reminder that we are not alone in this work and this fight! I can work alongside and deeply trust the other young people who are making a difference. There is a lot of progress to be made, but I have greater peace of mind and encouragement knowing that these incredible young leaders are out there, with energy, clarity, and brilliance, working on these challenges too. When I think about how incredible they are, the once stacked odds seem to flip in our favour, and I begin to wonder how we wouldn’t succeed with such brilliant young leaders advocating for our planet.

Learn More about the Young Leaders in Conservation Program

This program is an opportunity for youth to connect with like-minded, passionate people who care for nature and wish to make meaningful connections, network with youth leaders and conservation experts across BC, get coaching for skills relating to conservation advocacy in BC, and co-create ways of catalyzing change. We know that by bridging a network of like-minded peers, we’ll have a stronger impact, together.

Learn more about how you can get involved in the program by visiting the Young Leaders in Conservation Program page or contacting Program Coordinator Eden Luymes at eden@cpawsbc.org.

September 18 2024

BC Needs a Biodiversity Law

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Photo by Troy Moth as part of the Lichen project. Nuchatlaht territory.

BC Needs a Biodiversity Law

Sept. 18, 2024 – by Meg Bjordal, Research and Policy Coordinator

Protecting Biodiversity and Habitat for Species at Risk is the Key to our Shared Futures

BC needs a Biodiversity law, complete with protections for habitat for species-at-risk to ensure a future where wildlife and people can thrive.

British Columbia lists over 1,700 species at risk and counting, yet there is no effective provincial law to protect them or their habitat. Some of BC’s most iconic animals are on this list including southern mountain caribou, grizzly bears and southern resident killer whales. The biggest threat most endangered species face is from habitat loss and degradation.

For example, southern mountain caribou and spotted owls – two of the most threatened wildlife populations in BC, depend on old-growth forests for their homes. Old growth forests are an ecosystem that has long been identified of high conservation importance, but most of it (82%) remains unprotected and clearcutting is continuing.

Photo by Troy Moth as part of the Lichen project. Nuchatlaht territory.

Pathway to a Biodiversity Law

Out of rising concern for how old-growth forests are managed in the province, an independent review was conducted and released in 2020. The Old Growth Strategic Review put forward 14 recommendations on how to better manage forests based on wide consultation and expert opinions.

All recommendations from this report were adopted, though none have yet been fully implemented. Some of the recommendations outline conditions required for change, and include the need for legislation that establishes “conservation of ecosystem health and biodiversity of British Columbia’s forests as an overarching priority”.

Out of this recommendation came the draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. This framework sets the stage for a needed paradigm shift that prioritizes biodiversity and the health of ecosystems above resource extraction. With continued momentum this could lead to a biodiversity law, and even include protections for species at risk and their habitat.

Protecting Biodiversity Benefits Wildlife and People

Protecting habitat for species-at-risk not only provides a future for BC’s favourite wildlife, but also for the people who live and recreate in these important places. Healthy, functioning and connected ecosystems facilitate natural processes and animal movements. Meaning that critical planet support systems like nutrient cycling can occur, and that animals can move as needed to find food, shelter and mates. This also allows for mitigation of climate change effects and better ability to adapt. Protecting and restoring habitat, especially large and interconnected landscapes, makes it possible for biodiversity to thrive and ensures functioning ecosystems.

Photo by Troy Moth as part of the Lichen project with support from Ecotrust Canada and Cascadia Seaweed. Klahoose territory.

September 12 2024

Talking to Candidates about Conservation

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What should you ask Candidates ahead of the BC Election?

Sept. 12, 2024 – A question guide to the 2024 BC Provincial Election

BC’s Provincial election is this fall, and candidates who want your vote may come door knocking or host events where you have an opportunity to chat about what matters to you. Below are some questions to start a conversation about their position on nature conservation and safeguarding our futures:

2024 Townhall - Candidate Questions PDF(1)

The science-backed target of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 provides a pathway to tackle the biodiversity crisis and ensure a healthy future for people and nature… What immediate actions will you take to protect more land in BC and advance 30×30?

2024 Townhall - Candidate Questions PDF(2)

BC currently has over 1700 species at risk but no Provincial law to protect them or their habitat. The majority of BC residents (88%) support protecting habitat for species at risk… What will you and your government do to protect species at risk and their habitat?

2024 Townhall - Candidate Questions PDF(3)

8 in 10 BC residents are concerned about biodiversity loss, pollution, and overfishing on BC’s coasts. These threats loom as BC’s Coastal Marine Strategy awaits implementation and resourcing… How will you ensure a healthy coast for both marine life and people?

Want to save a copy? Download the PDF version!

We want to hear from you! Tell us how the conversation goes and if you or the candidates would like further information: info@cpawsbc.org

Speak up for nature & join us at a Candidates Debate near you!

September 9 2024

Speak up for nature this election & join us at a Candidate Debates near you!

Max Winkelman Blog, News canadian parks and wilderness society, conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc, events

Speak up for nature & join us at a Candidates Debate near you!

Sept. 9, 2024

Our Nature & Climate debates bring candidates in your riding together to discuss conservation, climate policy, and environmental issues. Hear what they have to say, ask candidates questions directly, and make your community’s concerns heard this election. This debate is co-hosted with local youth from our Young Leaders in Conservation Program (YLICP). Young people are especially encouraged to attend and participate. CPAWS-BC will be moderating the debates and asking candidates about their positions on various environmental issues, followed by an open audience Q&A.

Join us for food and refreshments when doors open, at no charge. Please come mingle and share your views with the candidates. Register now to save your seat!

Find a Candidates Debate near you!

August 29 2024

Reflections on Our Journey to a 4-Day Work Week

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Due to the 4-day work week, staff have been able to spend more time in nature, such as watching this family of badgers.

Reflections on Our Journey to a 4-Day Work Week

August 28, 2024 – by Meaghen McCord, Executive Director

Back in March, we embarked on an ambitious journey—one that fundamentally challenged the traditional work model many of us have been accustomed to. We transitioned to a 4-day, 32-hour work week (4DWW) with the hope of enhancing work-life balance, reducing burnout, and maintaining our commitment to protecting British Columbia’s wilderness. As promised, we’re sharing an update with our supporters and community on how this experiment is unfolding. Today, as we reach the end of our pilot, we’re excited to share the impact this change has had on our team and the insights we’ve gained along the way.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Positive Impacts So Far

The results from our midpoint evaluation have been nothing short of encouraging. Since the pilot’s inception, we’ve seen significant improvements in several key areas:

Work-Life Balance: Our team’s work-life balance has improved significantly. The extra day off has provided more time for personal activities, health, and spending time with loved ones. Sarah, for instance, has found more quality time with her family, reconnecting with what matters most.
Reduced Burnout: The shift has also led to a significant reduction in feelings of burnout. Staff are returning to work refreshed and more focused, which has been instrumental in enhancing overall job performance. Max spent one of the Fridays, instead of sitting behind a desk, watching a family of badgers play, reinforcing his passion for conservation.
Maintaining Effectiveness: Despite the shorter work week, our team’s effectiveness remains strong. Staff’s rating for CPAWS-BC as an effective organization increased, and job performance ratings also saw a slight uptick.
Health and Well-being: We’ve also noticed improvements in physical health and opportunities for recreation and leisure, contributing to significant long-term benefits for our people and our organization.

Celebrating Conservation Wins

While we’ve been focusing on work-life balance and team well-being, we haven’t lost sight of our core mission—conservation. In fact, the past few months have been marked by some incredible conservation wins including:

Biggest Park Expansion in Over a Decade: We’re proud to have been part of the effort leading to the largest BC parks expansion in over a decade, which will protect critical habitat for the southern mountain caribou. This expansion is a major victory for biodiversity and a testament to the power of collaborative conservation efforts. Read more about this milestone here.
A New Marine Protected Area: We’ve also been instrumental in the announcement of a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) off the coast of BC, which is four times the size of Vancouver Island. This new MPA is a groundbreaking step forward in safeguarding vital marine ecosystems and ensuring the health of our oceans for future generations. Learn more about this significant achievement here.
Successful Campaigns: Beyond these major milestones, several of our conservation campaigns have seen significant progress. Our ability to engage in deep, focused work during the shortened week has played a key role in these successes.

These wins are a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, proving that even with a shorter work week, we can achieve great things for the environment and our communities.

Challenges and Collaborative Solutions

While the overall sentiment has been positive, we’ve also faced some challenges particularly during shortened weeks where additional office closures due to holidays or absences have made it difficult for some to manage workloads. Professional development, especially our ongoing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) efforts, has been more challenging to prioritize within the compressed schedule.

In response, we’ve made a few immediate adjustments, such as revising our guidelines around off-hours communication and time-in-lieu management. We’re also considering further solutions, like more flexible working hours and specific, protected time slots for professional development and JEDI learning. These adjustments will help us address the challenges while staying true to our commitment to a 32-hour work week.

Looking Forward: A Shared Vision

As we continue our journey, we remain committed to listening, learning, and adapting. The next few months will be crucial as we wrap up the pilot in September and conduct a comprehensive evaluation. Our goal is to present thoughtful recommendations to our board on how to move forward together in a way that balances team well-being with our mission and commitment to biodiversity and effective conservation.

We promised to keep our supporters and community informed, and we’re thankful for your ongoing interest and encouragement. If you have thoughts on our 4DWW pilot, or if you’d like to get involved in our latest conservation campaigns, we invite you to reach out—we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue to push boundaries and make a lasting impact on our beautiful province.

We’ll be sharing our final recommendations and decisions regarding the future of the 4DWW later this year. Until then, we remain optimistic and committed to finding the best balance for our team and our mission.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to continuing to share our progress with you.

August 1 2024

A big welcome to the newest Marine Protected Area (MPA) — Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is — off the coast of BC!

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Ocean Networks Canada (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), Flickr

A big welcome to the newest Marine Protected Area (MPA) — Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is — off the coast of BC!

August 1, 2024 – by Carlos Acuña, senior conservation campaigner

The abyssal plains of the deep sea floor are often viewed as vast, dark, empty spaces. But the deep sea far off the BC coast couldn’t be more different. Dotting the flat seascape are geologic wonders such as seamounts and hydrothermal vents teeming with abundant otherworldly marine life!

Located 150 km west of the coast of Vancouver Island, deep in the ocean, is a unique and spectacular underwater world. The Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is MPA (TḥT for short) will protect a network of hydrothermal vents (think deep sea geysers or hot springs releasing superheated and mineral-enriched water) and seamounts (ancient volcanic mountains that can tower higher than Whistler Mountain). These biological hotspots provide habitat, shelter, food, spawning grounds, and nurseries for wildlife. It truly is a “Deepsea Oasis.”

Canada’s first MPA, Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents, which protected 5 vents and 97 km2 since 2003, is now part of this new MPA that spans over 133,000 km2.

Indigenous-led Conservation

The name for this new MPA is three words from the Haida, Quatsino, Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacheedaht Nations.

Tang.ɢ̱wan: a Haida word meaning deep ocean (pronounced “Tung – Gwun”)
ḥačxwiqak: a Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacheedaht word meaning deepest part of the ocean (pronounced “huch/khwi/kuk”)
Tsig̱is: a Quatsino word referring to a monster of the deep (pronounced “tsee-geese”)

It’s easier to pronounce than it seems! If you need some more help, listen to the pronunciation.

This incredible area will be co-managed by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Council of the Haida Nation, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation and the Government of Canada. In the spirit of reconciliation, it will be managed using both science and traditional knowledge and uphold First Nations rights to governance.

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Weird and Wonderful Wildlife

The area is home to some of the weirdest and most wonderful creatures on the planet:

Dumbo octopuses are a group of deep sea octopuses that flap ear-like flippers on their heads to move around, much like Dumbo the elephant in the famous Disney movie.
Tubeworms are unlike almost any other creature on the planet. Instead of getting their energy from sunlight , they rely on bacteria that are able to produce energy from the mineral rich water expelled from hydrothermal vents.
Sea pigs are actually types of sea cucumbers, named for their pinkish colour. They use their tubelike feet to walk along the sea floor while they feed on organic matter that sinks down from shallower waters.
Last year, scientists discovered a seamount covered in a million skate eggs in the MPA. The ancient volcano is spouting warm fluid, providing little-known species of skates with an ideal nursery. Scientists believe the geothermal heat helps incubate the eggs and speeds up development.

The deep sea is a dark and mysterious place — under-mapped and under-explored. We have only begun to scratch the surface of what lives here. Who knows what other amazing creatures will be found in the future?

Dumbo octopus. Ocean Networks Canada (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), Flickr

Tubeworms. Ocean Networks Canada (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), Flickr

Sea pig. Ocean Networks Canada (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), Flickr

Pacific white skate. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist

Upholding Strong Protection is a must

Canada’s new MPA protection standard will prohibit oil and gas exploration, development, and production, disposal at sea of waste, and most importantly for this area specifically, mineral exploration and exploitation and the use of bottom-trawl gear. With the growing need for rare minerals to power electric vehicles, deep sea environments are under threat from an industry that would tear apart wildlife-rich seamounts. This environment is also especially vulnerable to bottom trawling which uses heavy weighted nets dragged on the seafloor to indiscriminately capture any and all sea life, including rare protected species and habitat-forming corals and sponges.

Protection of these important and rare ecosystems would not be possible without the support of the public who signed petitions, wrote letters, and participated in consultations. Thank you also goes out to First Nations leadership and elected officials for helping secure legal protections. And finally, thanks are given to the scientists, communicators, and marine planning professionals from Federal and Indigenous governments, non-profit organizations, and universities such as those at the Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Exploration Project (NEPDEP). They explored and discovered these amazing places, conveyed their importance to the world, and worked tirelessly behind the scenes conducting the much needed technical work to make this new Marine Protected Area a reality.

This Is Only The Beginning

The MPA work doesn’t stop with designation. The Haida, Quatsino, Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacheedaht Nations and the Government of Canada must now work to form a management board. An advisory committee, with conservation groups like CPAWS-BC, will also be established. Together, they will create a management plan to make sure we know the MPA is protecting the ecosystem, which means monitoring, enforcement and management of human activities. We will be there to help ensure this special part of the ocean is strongly protected.

Read more about THT.

July 9 2024

Charting a new path for the Great Bear Sea: How Indigenous Nations, governments, and communities are breaking the mould

Max Winkelman Blog conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc

Photo credits: Emilee Gilpin / Coastal First Nations

Charting a new path for the Great Bear Sea How Indigenous Nations, governments, and communities are breaking the mould

July 9, 2024 – Debra Sinarta, Marine Research Coordinator, Ocean Program

Despite success stories and significant progress in marine conservation initiatives, their planning, implementation, and effective management are often hindered by a seemingly stale yet crucial element: finance.

We see the same problem in many different forms: conservation projects never get started because of a lack of necessary funds, or initiatives get underway but progress falls short when the money runs out.

To reach the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 globally, the estimated annual management costs range between $103 billion and $178 billion, according to a report (Waldron et al., 2020). However, global investments in protected areas hover around $24 billion per year, highlighting a significant boost in funding is needed to meet this goal.

It’s a problem that’s on the verge of being solved in parts of BC.

Over the past year, we’ve started to see announcements that will secure the long-term health of nature. In November, we saw the Nature Agreement and the BC Conservation Fund. On June 25, 2024, a similar $335 million agreement was announced for the Great Bear Sea, which covers two-thirds of the coast of British Columbia!

The Great Bear Sea is an ecological and cultural treasure that supports vast open ocean, estuaries, kelp forests, coral and sponges, and deep fjords. Unfortunately, overfishing, habitat degradation, increased shipping, and climate change are threatening the health and resilience of the Great Bear Sea and the coastal peoples that depend on it.

Image courtesy of ourgreatbearsea.ca // Photo Credit: Kitasoo Xai’Xais Territory / Moonfish Media

We need a two-pronged approach to help address these problems: creating a Marine Protected Area Network that considers the ecosystem as a whole, and securing the necessary lasting funding to bring it to life.

The Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative can help to advance both. Here’s how:

Long-Term and Large-Scale Impact:

The Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) is an innovative and proven conservation finance model that combines public and private investments from a diverse array of partners—including governments, NGOs, private investors, and local communities— to support permanent conservation strategies and sustainable economic development.

Often, conservation efforts rely on one-time or limited donations or grants. Although these funds are crucial for supporting individual projects, depending on incremental funding can introduce instability, lack of continuity, and gaps in protection.

Rather than seeking short-term funding to support one site, this new model aims to secure the necessary long-term financing, governance agreements, and strong conservation and development goals needed for lasting success across large-scale conservation efforts.

Collaborative Management:

The PFP approach unites governments, NGOs, donors, and local communities to fulfill a common conservation vision. It coordinates resources and efforts across these key partners to ensure that strong, sustained governance is in place for designing and implementing conservation commitments.

Following the Great Bear Sea MPA Network endorsement one year ago, collective and timely work is needed to bring the network to life. The Great Bear Sea announcement is an essential backing to advance the collaborative implementation of the Network Action Plan. This stable funding will be crucial in building capacity across partners, ensuring the continued management and monitoring of the MPAs, and fostering Indigenous-led governance in the decision-making process.

It’s anticipated it will also support the creation of more than 3,000 new jobs and 200 new businesses over the next 20 years. This is critical to ensure that those living near these vulnerable habitats can thrive where they live and help ensure local support. These opportunities will span diverse sectors, including marine stewardship, renewable energy, sustainable fisheries, and eco-cultural tourism. This will not only bolster local communities but also contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for the region.

Holistic and Shared Vision:

The Great Bear Sea Initiative and MPA Network are the result of nearly two decades of collaborative work led by 17 First Nations, who’ve been stewarding these lands and waters for thousands of years, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. And the vision is clear: Indigenous-led governance and stewardship, supported by stable, self-determined finance, to ensure the well-being of people and ecosystems across the Great Bear Sea for future generations.

Map of the proposed Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network.

The Great Bear Sea PFP is transforming how we finance and manage conservation, ensuring ecological, social, political, and financial sustainability. This is an exciting milestone for the lasting protection of the Great Bear Sea and a historic step forward for Indigenous-led conservation. It’s the realization of decades of vision and collaboration across the region. As we look to the future, this initiative showcases the power of collaboration and innovative finance in securing a thriving Great Bear Sea for generations to come.

Learn more about the Great Bear Sea Initiative

VISIT OURGREATBEARSEA.CA

May 27 2024

Community Spotlight: Meadowlark Nature Festival

Max Winkelman Blog canadian parks and wilderness society, conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc

Community Spotlight: Meadowlark Nature Festival

Over the May long weekend, our Land and Freshwater team travelled to the nxʷəlxʷəltantət (South Okanagan-Similkameen) to participate in the Meadowlark Nature Festival. CPAWS-BC has worked with partners in the region over the past two decades to expand protection for the increasingly endangered grasslands, with our work focusing particularly on the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve and more recently the nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ (Ashnola) sPA (sməlqmíx Protected Area).

Grasslands in BC have more species at risk than any other ecosystem in the province. They cover just 1% of the province, but are home to 30% of at-risk species in BC, such as the burrowing owl and bighorn sheep, making them one of the most important conservation priorities in BC.

It was amazing to visit protected areas, connect with supporters, talk about the urgent conservation needs of endangered grasslands, and see people participating in a fantastic art session with Ullus Collective Indigenous artists.

Where the Four Sacred Ecosystems Connect

A journey to protect the Ashnola River Corridor

On Saturday morning we travelled from our base in Penticton, 60 kilometres southwest to the nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ (Ashnola) sPA (sməlqmíx Protected Area) just outside of Keremeos.

Rob Edwards, Lauren Terbasket and Rheana Marchand from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) shared with us and Meadowlark festival participants, their journey to protect the Ashnola River Corridor (or watershed), home to one of the most endangered rivers in the province.

After living through the gradual but profound degradation of some of their lands and water from mining discharge, unsustainable forestry, hunting and other exploitative activities, the sməlqmíx people re-asserted their sovereignty and obligation to protect and conserve the waters and lands, through cultural revitalization and traditional knowledge, throughout the Similkameen watershed. In 2022, the Lower Similkameen declared the entirety of the Ashnola Watershed an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

In the summer of 2023, the largest forest fire in the valley since the 1800s, affected 40,000 hectares in the Ashnola sPA. The small team at the LSIB, having declared the IPCA only a year earlier, were already busy implementing conservation and management plans. Now they are also undertaking restoration work to manage the aftermath of the fires and replant millions of tree and shrub seedlings to stabilize and ensure safety around the steep slopes of popular recreation areas.

As we walked around the Ashnola campground and sməlqmíx Protected Area, we learned about the unique grassland shrubs like snowbrush and bitterroot and were able to smell the rain on the parched earth. We were filled with a deep sense of gratitude for their dedication and determination to keep pushing forward to protect and steward these breathtaking lands.

Coexisting with fire

Learning from a wildfire expert

On Saturday evening, back in Penticton at the Okanagan College, we joined Tour 35 – Learning to Coexist with Wildfire in BC led by eminent scholar and UBC Professor of Forest & Conservation Science Lori Daniels.

As the province grapples with the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires, such as the one that went through the Ashnola Valley as we had seen earlier that day, a shift to diversified, evidence-based, adaptive and proactive landscape management, based on science and community knowledge, is critically needed, according to Daniels.

Her presentation called for transformative changes to forest management and highlighted the importance of cultural connections to the land and reintroducing indigenous forest management practices. It echoed what we had heard earlier in the day. Daniels also noted that cultural and prescribed fire removes the build up of plant material and reduces the intensity of naturally occurring wildfires, while also promoting health and resiliency of the land.

Because we are beautiful – ałi kʷu swiwinumpta

Making art with grassland materials

On Sunday morning we gathered together in the gardens of Leir House for a session led by Victoria Jaenig of Ullus Collective Indigenous artists to learn the art of making dragonflies from traditional locally collected grasses and leaves (as well as some more contemporary materials).

This session provided another way for us to connect with the grasslands we had been learning about.

This event was also a great opportunity to engage in conversations with attendees about the work that CPAWS-BC and partners have been undertaking in the region and highlighted the important relationship between preserving cultural connections to the land and healthy ecosystems.

Ullus Collective has been creating a place to gather and cultivate the unique arts practices of sqilxw artists for over four decades and it was a privilege to be able to spend the morning together.

Our journey home on Highway 3, took us past a dusty white mountain peak, scarred by mining activity, not far from the Ashnola protected area. It underscored the importance of the ongoing work to protect the Ashnola watershed and the nearby proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.

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May 2 2024

Indigenous Marine Protected Area in BC wins prestigious international award

Max Winkelman Blog conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc, ipca, marine protected area

Indigenous Marine Protected Area in BC wins prestigious international award

May 2, 2024

Photo courtesy of Kitasoo Xai’xais/Moonfish Media

It’s a big win for Indigenous-led conservation on the world stage! Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation’s Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) Marine Protected Area (MPA) has won Marine Conservation Institute’s prestigious Blue Parks Award — the first award in Canada and the first Indigenous-led blue park in the world.

Located near Klemtu on the central coast of BC, the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks MPA is a haven for marine life. Strong tides bring nutrient rich water into the bay, providing a rich source of food for fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Seagrass meadows and kelp forests provide herring with spawning grounds and other young fish with protective nursery habitat.

Designated in 2022, the MPA doesn’t just support nature, it sustains people as well. Gitdisdzu Lugyeks is an integral part of the culture, livelihoods and traditions of the local community. It is known as a spiritual place whose waters and marine life are vital to the Nation’s economy, health and culture. If marine life can thrive here, it is hoped that richness can expand into nearby areas and benefit both the people and wildlife that depend on the coast.

“We know these waters better than anyone, Kitasu Bay has been part of our home for thousands of years through to the present day,” said Hereditary Chief Nies’los (Kelly Robinson) in 2022.

Living around and stewarding these waters for thousands of years, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority are weaving traditional knowledge and modern science together to responsibly care for the biodiversity and resources of the MPA. With the Kitasoo Xai’xais Guardian Watchmen monitoring these waters, management will follow the guiding principles of the Nation: loomsk (respect), sagayt k’uulm goot (interconnectedness), sityaaw (reciprocity), and gugwilx’ya’ansk (intergenerational knowledge).

Recognizing this, Marine Conservation International awarded Gitdisdzu Lugyeks with a Blue Park award earlier this month. These awards are given in recognition of exceptional marine biodiversity conservation; having met the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness. The judging panel considers the productivity and importance of the MPA’s location as well as its regulations and management.

“Receiving this Blue Park Award not only recognizes what we’ve been doing as a Stewardship Authority, but it also sets the stage for other Indigenous Nations to use this as a blueprint for their own protected areas in their territories,” said Kitasoo Xai’xais elected Chief, Doug Neasloss. “The management plan for Gitdisdzu Lugyeks combines our traditional knowledge and responsibilities with western science in a way that protects ecosystems and human livelihoods, and we’re grateful that this award recognizes the strength in that combination.”

This award is further proof of the effectiveness of Indigenous-led conservation. In 2019, a UBC-led study found that the total numbers of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles were all greatest on lands managed or co-managed by Indigenous communities, higher than parks and wildlife reserves.

Gitdisdzu Lugyeks will be part of the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network, an initiative led by 15 First Nations along the north and central coast. The network aims to connect new protected areas to already existing ones to help restore the region’s ocean to abundance for the benefit of children, grandchildren, and future generations.

This award is further proof that Indigenous-led conservation is the way forward. Learning from their vision and knowledge, a healthy coast can be achieved for the well-being of everyone in British Columbia.

Read more about the the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks MPA at:
The Narwhal
National Observer

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