Clayoquot Sound
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- Email: questions@natureunited.ca
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Clayoquot Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is a breathtaking landscape of ancient cedar valleys, island‑studded inlets, and one of the world’s last great coastal temperate rainforests. It is home to First Nations who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial — shaping a relationship with place that continues to guide stewardship today.
In 2000, Clayoquot Sound was recognized as British Columbia’s first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Yet despite its global importance, the region has long faced pressures from unsustainable industrial development. The future of these ecosystems depends on a different path — one rooted in Indigenous governance, long-term conservation, and community well-being.
Quote: Michael Reid
In Clayoquot Sound, First Nations are bringing their land‑use visions into action — advancing stewardship priorities while building sustainable economic opportunities. This work highlights the leadership of Nations in shaping outcomes that work for people and nature.
Across the region, a new stewardship economy is emerging — one centering the First Nations’ authority, knowledge, and long-term vision for their territories. In 2008, our global affiliate was invited by local First Nations to support their efforts to advance land-use visions for Clayoquot Sound. In the years since, we've provided support to the Nation’s land-use visions, as well as other initiatives identified by Nations as important to their cultures, livelihoods and sustainable economic development, including the development of both conservancies and forestry licenses.
In 2024, the Ahousaht and Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nations took a major step toward realizing their land‑use visions. Working with the Province, they established new conservation areas across Clayoquot Sound. These conservancies now permanently protect more than 76,000 hectares (188,000 acres) of forests in Clayoquot Sound.
Building on this milestone, in 2026, the Ahousaht, Hesquiaht and Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nations — in collaboration with the Province of B.C. — finalized the reconfiguration of 59,000 hectares (146,000 acres) of forested land from one tree farm license to separate licenses owned by the individual Nations. This milestone means that each Nation can lead forest management in their territories, according to their governance systems, stewardship laws, and community economic goals. It aligns forest management with Indigenous-led land‑use visions, supporting a future where conservation, cultural values, and sustainable livelihoods work together
Nature United is honoured to support the leadership of First Nations in Clayoquot Sound. Our role is collaborative — offering tools, financing, technical expertise, and long‑term partnership to help advance stewardship priorities defined by the Nations themselves. Together we are helping to shape the future of forest management in B.C., where ecosystems thrive, communities prosper and Indigenous leadership drives lasting change.
We are grateful to the many donors whose critical support has helped advance the vision for Clayoquot Sound. Our special thanks to the following donors who made outright gifts or pledges to support work in Clayoquot Sound in fiscal years 2014 through 2024 (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2024), as well as those who contribute to our approach to reimagining conservation in B.C. and across Canada.
Alcoa Foundation*, Anonymous (4)*, Anonymous (2), Bezos Earth Fund*, B.C. Parks Foundation, Creek Bed Foundation*, The Dickhout Family Foundation, Government of British Columbia, Alison Graham and Richard J. Messina*, The Houssian Foundation, J. A. Woollam Foundation*, Robert and Linda Kreiss, McCall MacBain Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, North Family Foundation, Kenan Ogelman*, Real Estate Foundation of B.C., The Schad Foundation, Sitka Foundation, Sue A. Stack*, & The Wyss Foundation*
*Gifts made to our global affiliate, The Nature Conservancy, to support work in Canada.
