Clayoquot Sound

Aerial of the coastline of Pacific Rim National Park, near Tofino

About this partnership

Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, in partnership with the Government of British Columbia, have protected approximately 76,000 hectares in Clayoquot Sound.

These newly established conservancies, once designated for commercial forestry, now safeguard some of Vancouver Island's last intact old-growth forests. Through Indigenous leadership and stewardship, these globally significant rainforests will continue to store carbon, support biodiversity and provide clean air and water for generations to come.

BC Parks Foundation is proud to support this initiative, alongside Wilson 5 Foundation and other funders. Special recognition goes to Nature United, who worked with all parties to help protect this remarkable landscape while supporting a transition to a conservation economy.

Why is this partnership important?

The creation of these conservancies protects one of British Columbia's most significant old-growth forest landscapes while supporting Indigenous-led stewardship and long-term care of the land.

The initiative also helps create the conditions for a conservation economy, empowering the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht Nations to manage the conservancies independently while creating lasting environmental, cultural and community benefits.

Voices from the partnership

"Congratulations to the Nations, the Province and to everyone involved for putting uu-a-thluk (caring for) into practice, reflecting the spirit of hishukish ts’awalk (everything is one) and iisaak (respect, with caring) says BC Parks Foundation CEO Andy Day. “This is a win for the whole community, including people and other species past, present and future, locally and globally.”

“The announcement reflects a path forward to implementing the Ahousaht Nation’s title and rights on our lands and waters for generations to come. At the same time, more needs to be done to acknowledge the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in B.C.,” says Hasheukumiss, Hereditary Chief of the Ahousaht First Nation. “This provides the foundation for future generations to continue renegotiating and asserting authority for how to further protect our territories. It is an important step of many.”

“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.”

Looking ahead

The Clayoquot Sound conservancies demonstrate what is possible when First Nations, governments, conservation organizations, and funders work together toward a shared vision. By protecting these forests and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship, this partnership will help conserve one of British Columbia's most important landscapes while strengthening communities and nature together for generations to come.