Great Bear Rainforest: Investing in Local Economies
A resilient coastal economy will underpin meaningful and lasting conservation.
Quote: Doug Neasloss
There is visible pride in the results that have been achieved.
A unique goal of our work in the Great Bear Rainforest has been to support a resilient coastal economy to underpin meaningful and lasting conservation. Our global affiliate, The Nature Conservancy, helped established Coast Funds. With an initial $39-million investment in the Great Bear Rainforest, The Nature Conservancy leveraged additional private and public funding, resulting in the $120-million Coast Funds—divided evenly between an endowment to support conservation activities and a sinking fund to drive sustainable economic development.
From 1996-2017 Coast Funds have helped create:
- 20 management plans led by First Nations prescribing how ecological areas, cultural features and traditional harvesting sites will be conserved forever;
- 80 protected areas conserved through direct action by First Nations including land- and marine-based stewardship, research and monitoring activities;
- 120 research projects on 31 different species.
Communities in this region are remote and in many cases can only be reached by float plane or boat. And yet the creativity and resilience of First Nations has spurred local economies, resulting in new businesses, jobs and sustainable resource development. Over time, we are seeing local economies become increasingly less reliant on single industries as new investment creates a diversity of small businesses.
As a result of these investments, 45 new businesses and 767 new, permanent jobs have been created in First Nation communities.
Some of the Coast Funds Success Stories
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Haida First Nation
Used to conduct a feasibility study, negotiate the purchase of a forestry tenure, and establish a Haida-owned company. Today, sustainable forestry management is at the core of their operations. Learn More
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Homalco First Nation
Used to redevelop the Orford Bay salmon hatchery facility and to develop safety guidelines and tour protocols for the Nation’s grizzly-bear viewing business in Bute Inlet. Learn More
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Gitga'at First Nation
negotiate an energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro and to complete development planning for a run-of-river hydroelectric generation project providing renewable energy to Hartley Bay. Learn More
Quote: Wilma Mack
The value of taking ownership of this historic property has made our people proud of their heritage and their Nation.
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Nuxalk First Nation
Acquired the Bella Coola Motel. Said director of administration Wilma Mack: “The value of taking ownership of this historic property has made our people proud of their heritage and nation." Learn More
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Lak Kw'alaams Band
High-speed broadband Internet connectivity throughout their remote community to increase the productivity of business operations and enable online workforce development training. Learn More
Quote: Jason Majore
The Haisla’s ownership of a major development has created jobs for our members all the way through.
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Kitasoo/Xais Xais
Expanding the Spirit Bear Lodge. Today, the majority of the trained professional staff serving the lodge and guided tours come from the Kitasoo/Xai’xais community. Learn More
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Haisla First Nation
Bring a development permit to the approval stage for a commercial office complex at Haisla Town Centre in downtown Kitimat. Learn More
More Stories
The Next Generation of Indigenous Leaders
Reaching more than 450 students per year, this community-led initiative supported by Nature United connects youth of all ages to the natural world just outside their front door.
Indigenous Guardians
Indigenous Guardians are the “eyes and ears” of their territories – they are men and women who are using Indigenous knowledge and practices, blended with western science to monitor and steward their traditional lands and waters across Canada. Nature United supports these important programs with technical tools, networking, research, and more.
Grizzly Bear Hunting Banned in British Columbia
This important conservation milestone is a clear example of the potential created by investing in Indigenous leadership and authority.