CPAWS-BC applauds Mamalilikulla First Nation’s new Indigenous-led protected area
CPAWS-BC applauds Mamalilikulla First Nation’s new Indigenous-led protected area
Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) congratulates Mamalilikulla First Nation in declaring gwaxdłala (Lull Bay)/‘nalaxdłala (Hoeya Sound) as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).
Near Knight Inlet on the central coast of British Columbia, this 10,416 hectare protected area is almost the size of the city of Vancouver, and contains watersheds that support critical species like grizzly bears, eagles, and salmon. It also houses a one-of-a-kind underwater sponge and coral reef. Without protection and sustainable management, this biodiversity risks being lost.
“Indigenous Peoples—like Mamalilikulla First Nation—have stewarded rich and healthy landscapes since time immemorial. This announcement is a re-assertion of the stewardship role they’ve held,” says Kevin Barlow, Executive Director of CPAWS-BC. “I look forward to seeing the crown governments uphold their commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) by formally recognizing this IPCA.”
In addition to protecting biodiversity and cultural values—including settlement sites—this IPCA is an important step forward in protecting 25% of BC’s lands and waters by 2025 in order to stem the climate change and biodiversity crises affecting communities across the province.
The ocean waters of the IPCA are proposed as a strongly protected component of the planned Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network. This network, led by 17 First Nations including Mamalilikulla First Nation, aims to protect the species and ecosystems underpinning their ocean economy in the north Pacific coast of BC.
With their expertise protecting nature, CPAWS-BC looks forward to more Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
Kevin Barlow
Executive Director, CPAWS-BC
To learn more about the Mamalilikulla First Nation, visit mamalilikulla.ca.
CPAWS-BC applauds Mamalilikulla First Nation’s new Indigenous-led protected area
Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) congratulates Mamalilikulla First Nation in declaring gwaxdłala (Lull Bay)/‘nalaxdłala (Hoeya Sound) as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).
Near Knight Inlet on the central coast of British Columbia, this 10,416 hectare protected area is almost the size of the city of Vancouver, and contains watersheds that support critical species like grizzly bears, eagles, and salmon. It also houses a one-of-a-kind underwater sponge and coral reef. Without protection and sustainable management, this biodiversity risks being lost.
“Indigenous Peoples—like Mamalilikulla First Nation—have stewarded rich and healthy landscapes since time immemorial. This announcement is a re-assertion of the stewardship role they’ve held,” says Kevin Barlow, Executive Director of CPAWS-BC. “I look forward to seeing the crown governments uphold their commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) by formally recognizing this IPCA.”
In addition to protecting biodiversity and cultural values—including settlement sites—this IPCA is an important step forward in protecting 25% of BC’s lands and waters by 2025 in order to stem the climate change and biodiversity crises affecting communities across the province.
The ocean waters of the IPCA are proposed as a strongly protected component of the planned Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network. This network, led by 17 First Nations including Mamalilikulla First Nation, aims to protect the species and ecosystems underpinning their ocean economy in the north Pacific coast of BC.
With their expertise protecting nature, CPAWS-BC looks forward to more Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
Kevin Barlow
Executive Director, CPAWS-BC
To learn more about the Mamalilikulla First Nation, visit mamalilikulla.ca.