LATEST NEWS
A Year in Review
One year ago on September 15th, the UNESCO designation was announced. This was the beginning of the work ahead.
Our Summer Ambassador - Meet Sophie
Meet Sophie Cheshire, our summer Ambassador for the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region.
Creating a management plan for the Biosphere Region
Our plan is called the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan. Contents of the plan will be co-created with First Nations, multi-sectoral stakeholders, and local communities through a collaborative, participatory approach.
Feature Fundraising Campaign - SEARCHING FOR SLHAWT' (HERRING) in the Squamish Nation territory
Live Where you Give Campaign is raising money to help find SLHAWT' (HERRING) in the Squamish Nation territory.
Read More.
Official visit from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
In September, following the official designation announcement, we welcomed a representitive from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Biosphere Reserve Network Association (CBRA).
Designation Celebrated
A celebration on September 18th, 2021 was held to mark the official UNESCO designation of Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound as Canada’s 19th Biosphere Region. The event took place at the Gleneagles Clubhouse and Banquet Hall in West Vancouver.
Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region: What’s Next?
A commitment to conservation and sustainable growth. As we continue our work with Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound, our non-profit Society is responsible for managing and maintaining the UNESCO designation. Our role is to support programs and initiatives that contribute towards the objectives and build consensus with the many sectors in the region.
September 15th, 2021 Media Release
Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound, an area renowned for its rich Indigenous culture, biodiversity and distinct geography, has become Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Region, the International Coordinating Council for the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) announced today.
Co-creating a Biosphere Region
We have committed to creating a culture of collaboration within our governance for the Al't’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region. We have embedded into our constitution a Squamish Nation co-Chair role on our board. Over time we strive to attract a balance of youth, diversity, and geographic representation to our board.
CCUNESCO endorses our nomination - Step 3/6 Complete!
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO has formally endorsed our nomination! Step three of six on the path to designation by UNESCO is complete.
The Path to UNESCO Biosphere Designation: Step Two Complete!
On July 29th, 2020, we sent our updated nomination package off to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO). We have now completed step 2 of 5 along the path to the designation.
The Path to UNESCO Biosphere Region Designation: Step Two
We continue to edit and improve our nomination document responding to comments received from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. We are encouraged by the positive feedback, and focused on comments related to Governance and planning.
The Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Network
The Canadian Biosphere Reserve Network of 18 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves represents the country's geographic, climatic ecological, economic, and cultural diversity.
The Path to UNESCO Biosphere Designation: Step One Complete!
On December 2, 2019 Joyce Williams representing the Squamish Nation and project lead Ruth Simons delivered the Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region nomination document at the offices of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO in Ottawa accompanied by our new MP Patrick Weiler. Step one of the process is complete!
Biosphere Nomination Update - We're Heading to Ottawa!
The final drafts of the Nomination document for submission to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO are coming to conclusion. Handing over the final document will be December 2nd in Ottawa.
Summer update on the path to nomination
The lengthy nomination document is now drafted and out for review and endorsement with a number of agencies. During the months of September and October, we will be out in the Howe Sound communities and conducting webinars to explain our proposal and to answer questions.
UNESCO EuroMAB conference April 2019
Howe Sound was represented together with over 200 participants from more than 30 countries at the 16th EuroMAB conference hosted by the Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve in Dublin Ireland. This was an opportunity to exchange views and look at ways to integrate nature conservation with sustainable development.
The Nomination Process
Our goal is to have a completed nomination for UNESCO in Paris by the fall 2019. The nomination process is a challenge in itself, but actually being a biosphere reserve means living up to UNESCO objectives and the particular strategies of the MAB Programme itself.
Howe Sound Sustainable Development Forum: Summary Report
Howe Sound Sustainable Development Goals Forum took place September 28th, 2018 at the Gleneagles Golf Club House in West Vancouver. Lively dialogue among the 90 attendees that included elected and campaigning municipal candidates, industry representatives,
