Land Conservancies

LandLand Conservancies

Overview

CFN member communities are working collaboratively to manage 130 land conservancies in our coastal territories. These areas ensure First Nations can continue traditional practices, such as harvesting cedar, hunting and fishing, while allowing for other sustainable economic activities, such as wildlife viewing, guided fishing and small-scale hydro for tourism and local use.

Conservancies came into being in 2006 when Coastal First Nations negotiated a change to the provincial Parks Act—areas that were once parks became conservancies that gave priority to First Nations’ interests.

These conservancies protect a range of cultural areas, including village and burial sites, mortuary poles and stone fish-weirs, and also safeguard traditional practices by protecting sites for harvesting seaweed, salmon and roe-on-kelp.

The Elders say what we have here is not ours; it belongs to future generations.

– Doug Neasloss, Chief Councillor, Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation

Spirit Bear Adventures: Ecotourism in the Great Bear

Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy

The Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy is one of the first established in our territories, and the largest of 10 conservancies protecting habitat for the rare white Spirit Bear—found only in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Spirit Bears, a genetic variation of the black bear, are found throughout this land of stunning fjords, rugged coastline and towering cedars covering more than 100,000 hectares of Kitasoo Xai’xais territory.

The conservancy was achieved through the efforts of the Kitasoo Xai’xais and other groups to protect bears from logging and hunting. Now it provides opportunities for ecotourism. Since 2002, the successful Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu has hosted visitors from around the world, who travel here to experience wildlife tours with local Kitasoo guides.

The Kvai (Koeye) Conservancy

The Koeye Conservancy is located on the Central Coast in the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations.

Created in 2006, the Koeye Conservancy covers 18,752 hectares that includes two freshwater lakes, a diverse estuary, expansive wetlands and productive temperate old-growth rainforests—an ecosystem that features abundant grizzly bears and salmon, and many more species.

C̓ísḷa: Taking Care of Kvai (Koeye) Conservancy

Have you ever been asked to babysit bear cubs?
Sierra Hall has. She was 15 at the time, working as a student bear guide in her territories and the experience changed her life and solidified her work in conservation in her territories.
Read Story