A major milestone has been reached in Clayoquot Sound by the Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, and Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nations, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, with the creation of three new tree farm licenses that align with each Nation’s land vision for their territories.
Previously, these areas were part of a larger tree farm license (TFL), a designation that provides long‑term, area‑based rights and responsibilities to manage, harvest and reforest land in B.C. Under the new arrangement, which comes into effect this month, the three Nations will manage newly created tree farm licenses — now TFL 66, 67, and 68 — according to their own governance systems, stewardship priorities and community economic goals.
This milestone follows the 2024 transfer of other TFLs in Clayoquot Sound to the Ahousaht and Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nations, through which the Nations created more than 76,000 hectares of new protected areas in places previously allocated for forestry.
The three First Nations offered the following statements:
ʔikaatius Tyson Atleo, hereditary leader, Ahousaht First Nation: “Our hahoulthee (lands, water, resources) has always sustained us, and that’s why environmental conservation is so important. For many years, we have been putting our teachings into practice through stewardship on the ground. This TFL transfer allows us to carry that responsibility directly into how our forests are managed. It will continue building a stewardship system that reflects who we are as Ahousaht—one that puts the health of the land first, while ensuring our community can thrive for generations to come.”
Chief Councillor Mariah Charleston, Hesquiaht First Nation: “Hesquiaht has never, throughout time and history, surrendered our inherent rights to our hahoulthee. Anytime we can get, even a small portion of our territory, back to manage and steward, we are moving in the direction towards where we need to go. Throughout history governments and business have done everything in their power to limit our authority and jurisdiction over what is rightfully ours, taking management back over a portion of our territory that we’ve managed for thousands of years is a step in the right direction.”
Saya Masso, Natural Resources Manager, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation: "This announcement represents another meaningful step towards implementing the Tla-o-qui-aht Land Vision. We acknowledge the progress taken to date, and we also emphasize the need for provincial leadership to continue to pursue true partnerships and relationships with our Nation. Aligning land use and management with our Tribal Parks vision is essential for our collaborative stewardship responsibilities and long-term goals to safeguard the lands and waters that sustain future generations."
Quote: Michael Reid
Sustainable forest management and durable conservation go hand in hand – creating stewardship and economic opportunities that create real benefits for Nations and local communities.
These tenures come after decades of negotiation to align land use and conservation in Clayoquot Sound — an iconic coastal Pacific landscape that holds some of the last remaining old-growth forests on Vancouver Island and is a globally significant carbon storehouse — with the goals and interests of First Nations. This transfer to the Nations signals another step towards building an economy driven by conservation and stewardship in the region.
“Partnership will be foundational to building a stable and resilient forest-based economy in British Columbia,” says Michael Reid, Nature United’s B.C. Program Director.
“Nature United applauds the Nations and the Province of B.C. for advancing a model in Clayoquot Sound that is rooted in First Nations’ visions for their territories. Sustainable forest management and durable conservation go hand in hand – creating stewardship and economic opportunities that create real benefits for Nations and local communities.”
By aligning provincial land‑use decisions with the visions and values of First Nations, this agreement advances two priorities often perceived as competing: achieving the province’s goal to protect 30% of B.C. lands by 2030 and creating resource‑based economic opportunities that benefit British Columbians. This collaboration demonstrates that conservation and sustainable economic development can move forward together.
According to Ravi Parmar, B.C.’s Minster of Forests, “This announcement means real stability, certainty, and job opportunities for First Nation’s forest economies. It also creates the conditions for forest stewardship, long-term planning, and nature conservation in Clayoquot Sound. This is a truly significant achievement for First Nations-led forest management. I want to thank the Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, and Yuu-cluth-aht First Nations for their collaboration and leadership. They are ensuring healthy forests and healthy communities for generations to come.”
For more than a decade, Nature United has worked in partnership with First Nations in Clayoquot Sound, providing technical support and funding aimed at realizing the Nations' visions for their territories. With this new announcement, more than 128,000 hectares of coastal forests in Clayoquot Sound are now protected and sustainably managed by the three First Nations with territory in this region. In total, Nature United has raised more than $40 million to support the Nations’ visions in Clayoquot Sound, which includes endowment funds to support Indigenous-led conservation and the transition to a conservation economy.
Together, this long‑term partnership reflects Nature United’s commitment to Indigenous‑led stewardship and a future grounded in Indigenous governance, healthy ecosystems, and lasting community prosperity.
Nature United was founded as a Canadian charity in 2014, building on decades of conservation in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, our organization has field staff located across the country. Nature United supports Indigenous leadership, sustainable economic development and science and large-scale conservation, primarily in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Our organization is also working to accelerate Natural Climate Solutions at national and regional scales. To learn more, visit natureunited.ca or follow us on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.
We are the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members and a diverse team that includes more than 400 scientists. Our global organization works in more than 80 countries and territories — either directly or through partnerships — to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press.