Spring 2022 - Network gathering at Totem Hall — Howe Sound Biosphere Region

Photo by Wayne Kaulbach

On March 29, 2022, representatives of twenty-one non-government nature-based organizations were welcomed to Sḵwx̱ wu7mesh Úxwumixw, Totem Hall at Stawamus Village in Squamish. The sun was shining and the snow-capped mountains were in full glory.

People travelled from around the region for the Howe Sound Conservation Network. This was a historic first meeting of the region’s conservation community with the Squamish Nation’s Rights and Titles Environment and Natural Resources, and referrals team. Joyce Williams, elected Council member representing the Squamish Valley started us off with a welcome and update on the changes taking place under the Nation’s new governance rules that took effect Fall 2021.

Organizations represented were: Squamish River Watershed Society, Squamish Environment Conservation Society, Squamish Streamkeepers, Squamish Climate Action Network, Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, Marine Stewardship Initiative, David Suzuki Foundation, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre, SeaChange Conservation Society, Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, Islands Trust Conservancy, Gambier Island Conservancy, Keats Island Conservancy, Bowen Island Conservancy, Bowen Island Nature Club, Lighthouse Park Preservation Society, Sitka Foundation.

The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society was pleased to coordinate and co-host this event with the Squamish Nation. Ruth Simons was the M/C for the day.

Since the last in-person meeting in 2019, we heard about the accomplishments over the past two years:

Restructuring of the Squamish Nation’s Rights and Titles Department and the addition of many new staff members into the departments of Archeology, Culture and Education, and Environment and Natural Resources. Implementation of Squamish Connect referrals portal.
The launch of the Marine Reference Guide and rebranding to the Marine Stewardship Initiative.
211 combined hectares of land are now protected on Bowen, Keats, Gibsons and in Squamish, plus a moratorium on old-growth logging.
Significant funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the advancing the removal of barriers to Chinook survival in the Squamish River, and monitoring of streams around the sound.
Release of over 1 million fish fry in the upper reaches of the Elaho Valley
Tonnes of marine debris were removed and more eelgrass was planted and being monitored
Ongoing invasive plant removals
New projects initiated working towards mapping and identifying Wildlife corridors, species at risk monitoring, Indigenous Guardian program, Archeological, Culture and Environment Monitors and a new Squamish Nation Climate Action strategy.
Formal designation of Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound as Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Region and plans for the development of the Nchu'ú7mut/Unity Plan.

We also discussed threats:

Invasive Green Crab on the watch list
Tourism overuse and resulting pollution and loss of natural spaces for First Nations cultural practices.

The objectives of the day were to build relationships, trust and collaboration. Building capacity to advance the goals of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and reconciliation. As the picture shows, the smiles indicate a good day was had by all.