Canada's Enhanced Legacy Program invests in Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region
Habitat and biodiversity loss is an existential threat to the planet—and to humanity.
On June 6, the Government of Canada announced $11.3 million from its Enhanced Nature Legacy fund for Canada’s 19 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. On September 1st, Minister Guilbeault announced the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society would receive four years of funding ($926,316) to strengthen its capacity for biodiversity conservation.
L to R: Ruth Simons, Executive Director HSBRIS, Joyce Williams, Co-Chair HSBRIS & Squamish Nation Council member, Honorable Minister Steven Guilbeault, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Patrick Weiler, MP West Vancouver/Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky
The Federal Government is committed to conserving 25 percent of lands, freshwater, and oceans by 2025, and 30 percent by 2030, which is in line with other jurisdictions across the globe.
In addition to designated protected zones and parks, other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) play an important role in conserving biodiversity. The Federal Funding will focus efforts on enhancing the management of these areas that are often an interface between development and protected areas.
The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society (HSBRIS) will leverage this federal funding with matched funds for collaborative projects focusing on biodiversity protection. As of March 2022, citizen scientists have documented some 4,400 species in Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound through the Squamish Biodiversity iNaturalist Program. Unfortunately, at least 175 species in this region are considered at risk or endangered.
Underpinning the work to regain a natural balance is a commitment to the two-eyed way of seeing—embracing both Indigenous traditional knowledge and ways of viewing the world and Western science. Reconciling with the natural world is an important step towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, who have stewarded these lands and waters since immemorial.
Follow along on our journey as we bring much-needed capacity to the region for its ongoing environmental recovery.
Current ECCC-funded projects beginning to roll out.
Searching for Wex̱és (frogs) on Cha7élkwnech/Gambier Island
Summer 2022 - The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative is collaborating with the Islands Trust Conservancy, the Gambier Island Conservancy and the Squamish Nation to fund a scientific research project focused on sampling creeks for eDNA within seven watersheds on Gambier Island to determine the presence of the Coastal Tailed Frog.
Wildlife Connectivity
We are collborating with the Squamish Environment Society on this regionally significant pilot project that requires the cooperation of many stakeholders. Bobcat photo by Chris Dale.
Rockfish monitoring
We are helping to kick-start a sustainable Rockfish Monitoring program to help inform effective conservation measures.
Knowing our fish-bearing creeks
We are checking on the currently available data to ensure our knowledge is up to date and we are not missing opportunities to enhance conservation efforts to help support fish habitat and buffer zones.
Visualizing our Biodiversity
o enhance our work on Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMS), with funding provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada, we are supporting the creation of an integrative framework for biodiversity assessment for the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region (AHSBR). difference.