Salmon Parks Initiative

Status

Proposed as a network of protected areas by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations, but legal protection is still pending and is dependent on the participation of the federal and provincial governments.

Location

Nootka Island, Tahsis, and Gold River regions on western Vancouver Island. Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht territory. See map.

Size

310 km2 / 31,000 hectares of old-growth rainforest in a much larger area (~67,000 hectares in total) of mature and second-growth forest, alpine tundra, and wetlands.

First Nations Territory

Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht

www.SalmonParks.ca

About the Salmon Parks Initiative

Home to wild salmon, ancient rainforests, stunning beaches, coastal wolves, and a host of other wildlife, the west coast of Vancouver Island between Muchalaht Inlet and Esperanza Inlet is an ecological jewel. It is also home to the famed Nootka Trail, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Canada. The salmon-bearing watersheds at the heart of this network of proposed protected areas are the ecological cornerstones of the region. The Salmon Parks Initiative is an ambitious project by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations to safeguard entire watersheds from the valley bottom to mountaintop that will preserve habitat for wild salmon and the creatures and cultures that depend on them.

This ecological approach recognizes that forests provide enormous habitat value to the wild salmon of their watersheds, regulating temperature, water flow, and stream structure, with old-growth forests being especially important for the health of aquatic ecosystems.

This new network of protected areas would safeguard ecologically significant old-growth forests and allow for the eventual recovery of some key salmon-bearing watersheds that have been impacted by historical logging. This is a visionary proposal that we’re calling on the provincial and federal governments to support through conservation financing funding and leglislated protection.

Our Work

Alongside our partner organizations, the Endangered Ecosystem Alliance (EEA) and the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF), the Ancient Forest Alliance has been collaborating with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation and providing capacity funding to complete a strategic plan for establishing the Salmon Parks. We have also worked to document the region with professional photos and videos and lead public awareness campaigns while pressuring the federal and provincial governments to support IPCAs with significant conservation financing to support the creation of conservation-based economies (i.e. eco-tourism, clean energy, restoration, etc.). This helped lead toward the securement of a $15.2-million commitment from the federal government in the fall of 2023!

The Salmon Parks Initiative is still undergoing further development, including consultation with neighbouring communities and land-use planning before it is finalized. The map boundaries are preliminary for now. Ultimately, legislated protection from the province, likely through a Provincial Conservancy designation, and additional large-scale provincial and federal financial support will be needed before it is fully implemented. We’re excited, however, to see the major progress that’s currently underway!

Learn more: www.salmonparks.ca/salmon-parks-film

Salmon Parks Map

A map of the Salmon Parks proposed on Vancouver Island and Nootka Island.

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Authorized by Ancient Forest Alliance, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 250-896-4007.

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Status

Location

Size

First Nations Territory

About the Salmon Parks Initiative

Our Work

Salmon Parks Map

Take Action

Donate

Send a Message

Get in Touch

Phone

Address

Resources

Who We Are

Salmon Parks Initiative

Status

Location

Size

First Nations Territory

About the Salmon Parks Initiative

Our Work

Salmon Parks Map

Take Action

Donate

Send a Message

Get in Touch

Phone

Address

Resources

Who We Are

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