The Unique Solution

The Great Bear Rainforest is not only an ecosystem of global importance, it is a vital natural, cultural and economic resource for First Nations, coastal communities and British Columbia. Success here means not only protecting the ecological integrity of the land, but also respecting indigenous cultures and strengthening local economies.

After over a decade of exceptionally hard work, an unprecedented and historical alliance among First Nations, government, coastal communities, environmental groups, industry and philanthropic organizations crafted a new model of conservation. This will both preserve the ecosystem and help develop a sustainable economic base to support the people within the region.

The solution includes the establishment of a protected area network of approximately 6.47 million acres (new and existing Class A provincial parks and conservancies). An additional 0.89 million acres will be permanently off limits to logging and hydroelectric development.

The agreements also commit the provincial government and First Nations to fully implement ecosystem-based management (EBM) across the land base by 2009. EBM is a new management system that ensures resource management decisions take into account both ecosystem and community health.

A critical element of the solution is a conservation financing package designed to enable First Nations to sustain their commitments to conservation outcomes through:

1. A conservation endowment fund raised from private philanthropic sources to support conservation management, science and stewardship jobs and restoration activities in First Nation communities;

2. An economic development fund established through government funding dedicated to investments in ecologically sustainable business ventures within the First Nation territories or communities.