Nature United

A lesson in #leadership, perseverance and a systems approach that integrates the well-being of nature and people. Read about what it took to achieve old-growth protection in #ClayoquotSound — and the work ahead for managing these new protected areas and building a conservation economy. Perspectives from Tyson Atleo (AHOUSAHT FIRST NATION), Saya Masso (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), Bruce Ralston, Josie Osborne, and Michael Reid, Nature United's B.C. program director.

Following an incredible morning press conference, we continued to commemorate the announcement of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) with local partners, including 17 First Nations, the Government of British Columbia and Government of Canada. As a model for sustainable, long-term, collaborative conservation finance and a historic step forward for Indigenous-led conservation, it realizes decades of vision and collaboration to create a co-governed model for conservation. This milestone toward protecting a globally significant marine ecosystem, benefiting coastal communities and conserving 10 million hectares of culturally and environmentally significant ocean... - Is a whole ecosystem approach, made by the coast for the coast to protect one of the richest cold-water environments in the world. - Protects a rich biodiversity of fish, sea birds, whales, kelp, sea grass and 84 species at risk. - Is projected to create 3,000 new jobs combined with skills training. Closely following our Eternal Mongolia announcement in April, this is The Nature Conservancy's second PFP under Enduring Earth. A groundbreaking collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund, and ZOMALAB where we partner with environmental stewards to drive ambition, mobilize resources, and secure sustainable funding to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change, and enhance community well-being. We are proud that $335 million has been contributed by visionary government and philanthropic leaders who know that Indigenous Nations and communities need financing to support Guardian programs, manage new marine protected areas, and continue building a conservation economy. Congratulations to the First Nations, Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative, Nanwakolas Council, Coast Funds, multiple ministries and levels of bureaucracy in the provincial and federal governments, philanthropists and individuals, and many others. We are proud to share this model with the world. Learn more at ourgreatbearsea.ca and https://lnkd.in/eG8iBtXV #GreatBearSea #FirstNations #HaidaGwaii #MPANetwork #GreatBearRainforest #ConservationFinance #OceanConservation #BritishColumbia #Guardians #IndigenousStrong #ProjectFinanceforPermanence #AncestralGovernance #ClimateChange

History in the making: Recently, First Nations leaders joined representatives from the governments of Canada and BC to announce the closing of the #GreatBearSea PFP, which secures $335M for marine stewardship and community development on the coast. Coast Funds is honoured to serve Nations on the coast and to support their visions for community prosperity and ecological stewardship. https://ow.ly/Ae4Y50SqjEO #GreatBearSea #conservationfinance #BritishColumbia #GreatBearRainforest #marineprotectedareas #stewardship #conservation #economicdevelopment

"Together, we have created a model that will support the conservation goals the world needs – protecting locally and globally significant ecosystems and species – and ensuring our communities have the resources, training and equipment for durable and collaborative management." - K̓áwáziɫ (Marilyn Slett), President of Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative Led by 17 First Nations in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia, the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) realizes decades of vision and collaboration to create a co-governed model for conservation. This will protect a globally significant marine ecosystem, while bolstering sustainable marine-based economies and creating thousands of jobs! Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative, Nanwakolas Council, Coast Funds 🌊 🐋 👏 Check out the link in the post below to learn more about what this announcement means for nature and people. ⬇

The newly announced conservancies in Clayoquot Sound will preserve old-growth forests on Meares Island and the Kennedy Lake area — sites that were environmental and Indigenous rights battlegrounds over clearcut logging in the 1980s and 1990s. "We have successfully reached a first phase implementation of the land-use vision," Tyson Atleo, Ahousaht First Nation hereditary representative, said in an interview. "We will see (Tree Farm Licence 54) on Meares Island actively become real legislated protected areas for the first time in history." Read more: https://nature.ly/3VDah7h

Today, people across the country are celebrating the unique cultures and numerous contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. One way you can celebrate is by exploring the IPCA Knowledge Basket. Created to honour and catalyze Indigenous-led conservation pathways in Canada, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), this website shares videos, songs and other resources for all who seek to support Indigenous-led conservation: https://nature.ly/3VyoMcu #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay

Today, the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht and Hesquiaht First Nations, together with the Government of British Columbia, announced the protection of ~76,000 hectares (188,000 acres) in Clayoquot Sound — a stunning mosaic of emerald valleys, clustered islands and ancient trees along British Columbia’s southern coast. Previously licensed for commercial forestry, these new conservancies will safeguard some of the last remaining old-growth forests on Vancouver Island and directly reflect the Nations’ land-use visions while advancing sustainable livelihoods. Nature United and The Nature Conservancy have been working in Clayoquot Sound to support resilient communities, protect old-growth forests and lead climate action. I join Hadley Archer, Executive Director of Nature United, in celebrating this commitment that was made to First Nations over a decade ago. We believe that the increased authority and capacity of Indigenous Nations and communities to steward their lands and waters is critical for the future of healthy ecosystems, communities and economies.

Today, the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations have announced an agreement with the Government of British Columbia for the protection of more than 76,000 hectares (188,000 acres) in Clayoquot Sound! 🌲👏 Previously licensed for commercial forestry, these new conservancies will safeguard some of the last remaining old-growth forests on Vancouver Island and directly reflect the Nations’ land-use visions while advancing Indigenous rights and sustainable livelihoods. “Establishing these conservancies is a significant milestone for the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation, affirming stewardship authority of our lands that our Hawiih have enacted for untold generations,” says Saya Masso, Natural Resources Manager, Tla-o-qui-aht Nation. “We’re grateful for the support from organizations and institutions working in right relations to ensure we have the resources needed to care for the land according to our vision.” Read More: https://nature.ly/4cnQ3VG