Howe Sound forms a natural watershed system. Yet the area is fragmented into multiple overlapping governance structures, and there is no overall plan to protect the future sustainability and viability of its inhabitants (plant, animal, and human).

Rather than reacting to issues as they arise, we need to develop a strong vision together, and attract, inspire, and embrace sustainable development initiatives and innovations.

We urgently need a practical platform through which to collaboratively address region-wide issues, based on a collective vision of place.

Recovering from harm

Industrial fishing, forestry and mining throughout the 20th century despoiled Howe Sound’s ecosystems. In the 1990s, a series of conservation efforts began and after 25+ years, these efforts have resulted in an unprecedented ecological recovery. Herring and salmon are returning. Dolphins, orcas, grey and humpback whales have come home to the Sound after almost a century’s absence!

As a result, community and local government support for re-industrialization is declining, and Howe Sound is increasingly valued for its exceptional environmental values and quality of life.

Demands for multiple uses of land and water resources will continue to threaten ecological recovery and growing tourism and recreation economies without mechanisms to collectively plan for, rather than react to, large-scale development proposals.

The Átl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere Region provides an innovative and evolving collaboration and communication hub to advance coordinated conservation strategies, integrated regional planning and monitoring, liaison between multi-level government, First Nations, corporate and community partnerships and link Howe Sound to a global sustainability network.

The future vision

Work is well underway on the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan, a land and marine use plan co-created with First Nations, multi-sectoral stakeholders, and local communities through a collaborative, participatory approach.

The Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan, will outline our collective long-term vision for Átl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound and a roadmap for how to get there. The contents of this plan will include an organizational/governance structure for implementing the plan and an analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan will list our priorities for the biosphere region, including measurable goals and projects to help us achieve our vision. Performance indicators and benchmarks will help us assess our progress along the way.

The Process

In early 2022, we began engaging with the community to gather feedback on ideas presented in the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan Discussion Paper. The Discussion Paper was supplemented with blogs and presentations on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Roundtable Governance planning discussions and research in the forest and outdoor recreation sectors.

News and next steps as of February 2024:

The Howe Sound Roundtables will be facilitated by Chris Corrigan of Harvest Moon Consultants. Chris is an internationally renowned facilitator of participatory practices such as Open Space Technology and World Cafe. He specializes in large group facilitation process and participatory approaches to change, complexity and systemic innovation.

Recruitment to the Átl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound Roundtable continues. For more information, please go to our AHSUBR Governance Page.