BC Biospheres' Gathering - Tofino May, 2025

Getting together with our colleagues from the Mt. Arrowsmith and Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Regions is always a rich experience. We meet annually for knowledge exchange and to learn from one another about actions related to reconciliation.

These gatherings have been made possible, in part, with grant funding, but there is a lot of goodwill that motivates people to make the effort.

Funders, such as Environment and Climate Change Canada and the RBC Foundation, are supportive of the Canadian Biospheres’ role in bridging communications and advancing projects that help heal the land, as well as integrating Indigenous knowledge into teaching and learning.

On May 13-15th, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) hosted our three BC biospheres in Tofino. Tracy and Julia, staff members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, joined Ruth, Sam, Jay, and Hasan from our organization for the three-day event. The program that had us walking on the lands of the Wah-nuh-jus–Hilthoois Tribal Park on Meares Island and meeting at the Toquaht Gathering Place during a visit to Macoah.

Besides the outdoor experiences and the conversations, we shared delicious food prepared with local ingredients. Tofino is a renowned culinary destination, and with the CBT’s focus on food security, we savoured locally caught halibut and salmon. Clayoquot Sound and Mt. Arrowsmith are celebrating their 25th anniversary of being designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Learn more about the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere here.