February 27, 2026 - Celebrating the Big Conservation Moves

On February 27th, the seventh Howe Sound Conservation Network event was held in the Great Hall at Gleneagles Clubhouse in West Vancouver. Ninety people from forty-four different organizations attended

Ruth Simons got the celebration underway at 1:00 pm, joining Joyce Williams in welcoming attendees to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw territory. It is now over ten years since the first gathering about the Future of Howe Sound in 2013. Ruth took the audience back over the events that have taken place in the Great Hall since then, including the celebration of the UNESCO designation in 2021. In 2022, funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society generated over $2.5 million in economic and environmental activity. Ruth provided the highlights of major projects accomplished over the past 3.5 years. For more information, see our projects page.

As panellists for the topic of The Future of Conservation, Dr. Bob Turner, Ross Jameson and Haiden MacDonald provided multi-generational perspectives on this work; they were moderated by Samantha Wing, OECM Project Manager for HSBRIS. This panel was followed by roundtable discussions. (see the Bios)

Dr. David Zandvliet, Tiffany Brunke, and Carrie Antoniazzi then joined the second panel discussion on Environmental Education at a Time of Eco-anxiety and Ubiquitous Technology. This was followed by good questions from the audience of all the panellists.

Following the panels, Ruth introduced the audience to a recognition of significant advancements towards conservation and reconciliation over the past few years. These complex projects demonstrate what can be accomplished with the right partnerships, sustained leadership and funding. There was also acknowledgement of what work still lies ahead.

Jill Lawlor, Senior Parks Manager, District of West Vancouver, presented on the Historic parks dedication of 262 acres of the Eagleridge Lands in West Vancouver. Jill shared the list of 24 community parks that have been permanently protected over the past two years, in addition to the total 2,898 acres of upper lands dedicated, bringing the total dedicated parkland within the district of West Vancouver to 41.9%. Old-growth forests within these lands are now protected forever. The presentation can be found here.

Owen Plowman, President of the Bowen Island Conservancy, presented on the Permanent protection of 160 acres of the Roger Curtis Lands on Bowen Island, within the 240 acres first purchased by Metro for a regional park. Owen’s presentation is here. While much work remains ahead to manage these lands, the very sensitive and rare coastal bluffs, species at risk, wetlands, and riparian areas provide a contiguous habitat corridor. The views are also stunning.

Edith Tobe, Executive Director, Squamish River Watershed Society, presented on the Restoration and naturalization of 355 acres within the Skwelwil'em Squamish estuary. Edith’s presentation can be found here. Hearing about the transformation of this important estuary, an Important Bird Area, over the decades through the restoration work is inspiring.

The event ended at 4:00 pm on a note of anticipation around future stories on big moves in the marine environment, with the additional Marine Refuges and the Squamish Nation land use plan.

A reception catered by The Orchard was enjoyed after the event to celebrate and visit the partners' displays: UNESCO Schools Program, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, Nature Squamish, BC Wildlife Federation, Squamish River Watershed Society, and Capilano University’s Bachelor of Environment and Sciences degree program.

For more information, comments or questions, please get in touch with ruthsimons@howesoundbri.org. If you are interested in joining us next time, please reach out.

Photography was provided by Chris Dietrich.