Coast Watch Program
A field-based initiative to promote biodiversity conservation
and land stewardship through community involvement in coastal British
Columbia
In the spring of 2005, members
of the Heiltsuk Nation initiated a conversation with Round River staff regarding
development of a monitoring and stewardship program within the Heiltsuk
traditional territory. This coincided well with questions that were
emerging from partners involved in the Great Bear Rainforest initiative
about just how Ecosystem Based Management may be implemented and deployed
on the ground. The ensuing dialogue has highlighted the distinct divide
between concept and application of EBM. More specifically, the divide
exists between those working at the broad theoretical planning and policy
scale of the Great Bear Rainforest initiative, and those who will be intimately
responsible for stewardship in the Great Bear — the coastal First
Nations.
Fortunately, there appears to be the will and energy amongst many First
Nations to bridge this gap. In particular, the Heiltsuk have made
clear their desire to proactively establish a framework for the ongoing
adaptive management of their own conservation and development areas. As
part of this, the Heiltsuk are actively seeking to cultivate the necessary
scientific underpinnings for managing and stewarding conservation values
within their territory.
Project Goals
To help create a community-driven
approach to ecological monitoring, adaptive management, and stewardship
for the Heiltsuk Nation.
To support broader implementation of EBM by linking Heiltsuk efforts
with GBR-wide EBM implementation frameworks and institutions and to replicate
systems and approaches, as appropriate, in other pilots with other Nations.
Project Objectives
Develop and field test monitoring
protocols and methods in Heiltsuk Territory
Build capacity within the Heiltsuk Nation to undertake and lead this
work
Integrate monitoring and adaptive management in Heiltsuk land use decision-making
Make formal and informal
linkages between community-based approach, and GBR-wide EBM implementation
strategies