Good News from the Biosphere - Spring 2026

Written By Ruth Simons

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 Winter.

The collective efforts of individuals and organizations of all sizes always make a difference.

  • The Squamish River Estuary is officially recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area. Together with Lower Howe Sound KBA, more are taking notice of the rich biodiversity in this region. To celebrate, join Nature Squamish and Bird Friendly Lions Bay for community events that honour the incredible birds that call the West Coast home.

  • Many communities are currently updating their official community plans (OCPs). With this in mind, we highlight that this is an important time to learn, engage, and ensure that plans recognize the value of sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitat in land use planning. Here are a few leading examples of initiatives supporting this planning — Bowen Island Conservancy's Caring for Nature initiative, Nature Squamish's EcoScapes initiative, and Town of Gibsons Urban Forest Plan.

  • The inaugural Day at the BC Legislature took place in May with our colleagues from Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and Clayoquot Biosphere Trust. World Biosphere Day at the Legislature is now an annual event for MLAs to learn about UNESCO Biosphere Regions and meet the people behind the organizations. Thoughtful and very positive words were shared by the Honourable Josie Osborne, the Honourable Randene Neill, host of the event, the Honourable Tamara Davidson and MLAs Jeremy Valeriote, Sheldon Clare, and M/C Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. We valued the opportunity for engaging with MLAs in a non-partisan setting where shared values and appreciation for this beautiful province were the focus. Many thanks to the Ministry of Environment and Parks and events staff for their support with this event.

  • 🎖️🏆 The Islands Trust works to preserve and protect over 450 islands in the Salish Sea. The Trust recognized these Howe Sound stewards - Dan Roger, Keats Island, for ongoing community leadership in the Keats Island and Howe Sound region - Douglas Leatherdale, Keats Island, for his enduring achievement of island-wide clean-up initiatives on Keats Island - Dr. Wendy Palen and Dr. Tom Sisk, Bowen Island, for their leadership in biodiversity protection in the development of the Nex̱wlélex̱wm/Bowen Island Biodiversity Plan Organizational Recipients - Bowen Island Conservancy, Bowen Island, for its work to protect the Cape Roger Curtis area.👏🙏

  • Most of the municipalities within the Biosphere have contributed to Canada’s 30x30 target: With the support of BC Nature, the Village of Lions Bay recognized a 14.5 Ha parcel as an OECM, and Bowen Island Municipality registered 21 parks as OECMs and 10 as Protected Areas. With our support, the District of Squamish recognized 80 Ha of ecological reserve lands as Protected Areas and will soon have recognized another 70 Ha of park lands as OECMs. The Town of Gibsons has recognized 25 Ha of parklands as OECMs. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District will also soon have recognized 18 Ha of parklands in Britannia Beach as OECMs.

  • On April 17th, representatives from communities across the region gathered in Ch’ich’iyuy Elxwikn/Village of Lions Bay for the spring 2026 Howe Sound Community Forum. This is the last forum for the elected officials of this term.

  • An additional 6,500 hectares of 100% protected forest lands is now in our biosphere region. "The land-use agreement between the Squamish Nation and the Province is a very significant and historic milestone for our region. By expanding Indigenous-led sustainable forestry practices and creating greater predictability for land-use decisions, the agreement supports both ecological and economic resilience. Most importantly, the agreement helps conserve larger areas of Howe Sound’s rich biodiversity for future generations while supporting long-term stewardship of the land.” Quote from Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. See the News release: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/.../squamish-nation-land-use.../


Ruth Simons
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Good News from the Biosphere - Winter 2025/26