Good News from the Biosphere - Fall 2025
We are pleased to share good news stories from our partners and collaborators in our region. Here are some of the many news headlines since the Summer.
The collective efforts of individuals and organizations of all sizes always make a difference.
Growing Minds, Nurturing Nature: education happening in our Biosphere Region
Salmon made their incredible journey upstream in Howe Sound! Watching this amazing journey in Squamish along the Mamquam River and at the Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery is awesome for all ages. Please help protect them by keeping streams clean, staying on trails, and observing from a distance—these salmon are vital to our ecosystems.
The Fisheries and Oceans Canada lab - Pacific Science Enterprise Centre in West Vancouver restarted offering school tours, letting students dive into marine research and ocean conservation firsthand.
We’re thrilled to be one of three organizations supported through the Support Howe Sound Fund, created by Connor McCracken (@ccracken) as part of his new photo-driven book Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound: From Sea to Sky.
15% of every book sold goes directly toward the fund, helping us with protecting biodiversity, advancing sustainable development, and upholding Indigenous knowledge across our UNESCO Biosphere Region. Order your copy here
Capilano University’s first cohort of students in the new Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Science started their learning experience in the Howe Sound Biosphere Region working from the Squamish Campus. We were pleased to welcome the students and look forward to seeing them out in the field.
Conservation & Stewardship
Ocean Legacy Foundation teamed up with Surfrider Vancouver and the Marine Stewardship Initiative for a remote cleanup, providing super sacks and recycling all debris collected through their Plastic Pollution Emergency Response Facility. Thanks to the volunteers helping turn marine litter into real circular solutions!
Communities rolled up their sleeves to keep our lands and waters clean on UN World Clean Up Day. Marine Stewardship Initiative hosted a shoreline cleanup at Sp'akw'us Feather Park in Squamish, and more local cleanup events took place across our Biosphere Region. - Tunstall Bay Fall Clean Up – Bowen Island [Sept 29, 2025] Trash Bash – Sunshine Coast [Oct 4, 2025]
The English Bay, Burrard Inlet & Howe Sound Important Bird Area (IBA) has officially been recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and is now live on the KBA Canada website! This designation highlights the region’s global importance for biodiversity—another reason to celebrate the natural richness of Átl'ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.
Monitoring work continued in Howe Sound, with a field visit by the Islands Trust Conservancy to Mount Artaban in the Mount Artaban Nature Reserve on Gambier Island. This 107-hectare protected area links with nearby parks and reserves to form a continuous 525-hectare stretch of wild land—30% larger than Stanley Park!
Big congratulations to all the recipients of Interpretation Canada’s 2024 Awards of Excellence, especially to the Bowen Island Conservancy for their Discovering Kwílʼaḵm book ! These 11 projects—from immersive storytelling to engaging exhibits—showcase outstanding creativity, professionalism, and passion in interpretation across the country.
Global News
Big news for biospheres worldwide! This September, the 5th UNESCO World Congress of Biosphere Reserves was held in Hangzhou, China. Over 2,000 scientists, policymakers, and community leaders will gather to shape a new global action plan for 2026–2035. With 750+ biosphere regions worldwide—including Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound—this congress will guide the future of conservation and sustainable living.
Find links to read more about these stories here by following us on social media channels #howesoundbiosphere, where we update our news. https://buff.ly/3XnGxxb
