ADDITIONAL CONSERVATION IMAGES AND STORIES

SINGLE IMAGES

2017-2023

ROBBIE PORTER, A KASKA GUIDE, STANDS IN FRONT OF SMOKE FROM A FOREST FIRE NEAR THE KECHIKA RIVER. PORTER TEACHES TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO THE KASKA LAND GUARDIANS, THE COMMUNITY’S EYES AND EARS ON THE GROUND IN THEIR TRADITIONAL TERRITORY.

ROBBIE PORTER, A KASKA GUIDE, STANDS IN FRONT OF SMOKE FROM A FOREST FIRE NEAR THE KECHIKA RIVER. PORTER TEACHES TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO THE KASKA LAND GUARDIANS, THE COMMUNITY’S EYES AND EARS ON THE GROUND IN THEIR TRADITIONAL TERRITORY.

IN AUGUST 2018, KASKA LAND GUARDIANS DISCOVERED A FOREST FIRE BURNING AT A HUNTING CAMP NEAR THE KECHIKA RIVER.

IN AUGUST 2018, KASKA LAND GUARDIANS DISCOVERED A FOREST FIRE BURNING AT A HUNTING CAMP NEAR THE KECHIKA RIVER.

AQUACULTURE GIANT GRIEG SEAFOOD IS REMOVING SALMON FARMS FROM THE SHÍSHÁLH NATION’S WATERS ALONG B.C.’S SUNSHINE COAST BY FEBRUARY 2023. FISH FARMS HAVE LONG BEEN A SOURCE OF SEA LICE IN WILD POPULATIONS.

AQUACULTURE GIANT GRIEG SEAFOOD IS REMOVING SALMON FARMS FROM THE SHÍSHÁLH NATION’S WATERS ALONG B.C.’S SUNSHINE COAST BY FEBRUARY 2023. FISH FARMS HAVE LONG BEEN A SOURCE OF SEA LICE IN WILD POPULATIONS.

SCIENTIST AMY TABATA RECORDS COORDINATES OF A WATER SAMPLE TAKEN OFF THE CENTRAL COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. USING GENE SEQUENCING, SCIENTISTS ARE NOW ABLE TO PAINT A MUCH FULLER PICTURE OF WHICH MARINE SPECIES ARE WHERE, SIMPLY BY TESTING THE

SCIENTIST AMY TABATA RECORDS COORDINATES OF A WATER SAMPLE TAKEN OFF THE CENTRAL COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. USING GENE SEQUENCING, SCIENTISTS ARE NOW ABLE TO PAINT A MUCH FULLER PICTURE OF WHICH MARINE SPECIES ARE WHERE, SIMPLY BY TESTING THE WATER. TABATA USES MOLECULAR GENETICS IN HER WORK AT THE PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION FOR FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA, WHERE SHE STUDIES THE IMPACTS OF DISEASE AND THE ENVIRONMENT ON SALMON AND OTHER FISH.

WATER SAMPLE CONTAINING DNA GATHERED FROM MARINE ENVIRONMENTS CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE BIODIVERSITY WITHIN A SPECIFIC REGION, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS INTERACTION WITH THE WATER’S EDGE NEARBY.

WATER SAMPLE CONTAINING DNA GATHERED FROM MARINE ENVIRONMENTS CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE BIODIVERSITY WITHIN A SPECIFIC REGION, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS INTERACTION WITH THE WATER’S EDGE NEARBY.

JACINDA MACK WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THE TAILINGS POND COLLAPSED AT THE MOUNT POLLEY MINE IN HER NATION’S TRADITIONAL TERRITORY, SPILLING AN ESTIMATED 25 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF CONTAMINATED WASTE INTO QUESNEL LAKE. THE LAKE WAS ONCE A SOURCE OF DR

JACINDA MACK WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THE TAILINGS POND COLLAPSED AT THE MOUNT POLLEY MINE IN HER NATION’S TRADITIONAL TERRITORY, SPILLING AN ESTIMATED 25 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF CONTAMINATED WASTE INTO QUESNEL LAKE. THE LAKE WAS ONCE A SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER AND HOME TO NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE PROVINCE’S SOCKEYE SALMON.

IN 1967, AFTER THREE YEARS OF OPERATION, THE JAPANESE BACKERS OF THE MT. WASHINGTON COPPER MINE WENT BANKRUPT. THEY LEFT BEHIND MOUNDS OF COPPER ORE, WASTE ROCK, AND THE COPPER MILL PICTURED HERE. THE EXPOSED MINE WASTE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN LEACHING MET

IN 1967, AFTER THREE YEARS OF OPERATION, THE JAPANESE BACKERS OF THE MT. WASHINGTON COPPER MINE WENT BANKRUPT. THEY LEFT BEHIND MOUNDS OF COPPER ORE, WASTE ROCK, AND THE COPPER MILL PICTURED HERE. THE EXPOSED MINE WASTE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN LEACHING METAL INTO PYRRHOTITE CREEK, AND WOULD EVENTUALLY DECIMATE FISH POPULATIONS IN THE TSOLUM RIVER.

A ROCK CUT ON THE MOUNT WASHINGTON MINE ACCESS ROAD, IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, SHOWING THE SIGNATURE WHITE STREAKS WHERE COPPER SULPHIDES, OR SALTS, HAVE PRECIPITATED FROM ROCK CONTAINING COPPER ORE. THIS COPPER WILL DISSOLVE IN RAIN RUN OFF AND FLOW FROM

A ROCK CUT ON THE MOUNT WASHINGTON MINE ACCESS ROAD, IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, SHOWING THE SIGNATURE WHITE STREAKS WHERE COPPER SULPHIDES, OR SALTS, HAVE PRECIPITATED FROM ROCK CONTAINING COPPER ORE. THIS COPPER WILL DISSOLVE IN RAIN RUN OFF AND FLOW FROM THE ROCK, CONTAMINATING THE RIVER BELOW.

JON EIS WAS ONE OF 11 CURRENT OR FORMER FISHERIES OBSERVERS WHO CAME FORWARD TO SPEAK TO THE ABUSES OBSERVERS FACE OUT AT SEA. FISHERIES OBSERVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING BYCATCH ON INDUSTRIAL TRAWLERS OFF THE B.C. COAST. BOTTOM TRAWL FISHING

JON EIS WAS ONE OF 11 CURRENT OR FORMER FISHERIES OBSERVERS WHO CAME FORWARD TO SPEAK TO THE ABUSES OBSERVERS FACE OUT AT SEA. FISHERIES OBSERVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING BYCATCH ON INDUSTRIAL TRAWLERS OFF THE B.C. COAST. BOTTOM TRAWL FISHING INVOLVES DRAGGING A NET THROUGH THE SEABED, HARVESTING A VARIETY OF FISH THAT LIVE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN, INCLUDING PACIFIC COD, HAKE, ROCKFISH AND POLLOCK.

YET AN IMPERFECT SYSTEM MEANS OBSERVERS — WHOSE REPORTS COULD RESULT IN A SHUT DOWN OF A BOAT OR THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY — ARE VULNERABLE TO INTIMIDATION FROM SHIP SKIPPERS AND CREW MEMBERS. NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT THEM FROM THIS HARASSMENT W

YET AN IMPERFECT SYSTEM MEANS OBSERVERS — WHOSE REPORTS COULD RESULT IN A SHUT DOWN OF A BOAT OR THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY — ARE VULNERABLE TO INTIMIDATION FROM SHIP SKIPPERS AND CREW MEMBERS. NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT THEM FROM THIS HARASSMENT WHILE AT SEA, WHICH RESULTS IN THE VAST AND SYSTEMATIC UNDER-REPORTING OF DEEP-SEA FISH HARVESTED.

ALAKSEN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

ALAKSEN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

DUCKS UNLIMITED REMOVING INVASIVE CATTAILS FROM THE ALAKSEN WILDLIFE REFUGE.

DUCKS UNLIMITED REMOVING INVASIVE CATTAILS FROM THE ALAKSEN WILDLIFE REFUGE.

GERRY POWERS, PHOTOGRAPHED FOR CANADIAN WILDLIFE MAGAZINE IN 2020, HAS BEEN FINDING AND CARING FOR INJURED OWLS IN BC'S FRASER VALLEY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. HE SITS IN HIS OFFICE WHERE HE KEEPS A LIST ORGANIZED BY SPECIES OF THE MORE THAN 400 OWLS H

GERRY POWERS, PHOTOGRAPHED FOR CANADIAN WILDLIFE MAGAZINE IN 2020, HAS BEEN FINDING AND CARING FOR INJURED OWLS IN BC'S FRASER VALLEY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. HE SITS IN HIS OFFICE WHERE HE KEEPS A LIST ORGANIZED BY SPECIES OF THE MORE THAN 400 OWLS HE HAS SAVED.

AN OLD GROWTH TREE STANDS AT THE OF END OF A LOGGING ROAD AT THE EDGE OF THE FAIRY CREEK BLOCKADES WHERE THE PROTEST OF LOGGING ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA CONSTITUTED THE LARGEST ACT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN CANADA TO DATE.

AN OLD GROWTH TREE STANDS AT THE OF END OF A LOGGING ROAD AT THE EDGE OF THE FAIRY CREEK BLOCKADES WHERE THE PROTEST OF LOGGING ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA CONSTITUTED THE LARGEST ACT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN CANADA TO DATE.

AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY OF LOGGING, AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, VANCOUVER ISLAND'S KOKSILAH RIVER WATERSHED AND ITS SALMON ARE IN SERIOUS DECLINE. A CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTIONS REPORT PREPARED FOR THE COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT ESTIMATES THE

AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY OF LOGGING, AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, VANCOUVER ISLAND'S KOKSILAH RIVER WATERSHED AND ITS SALMON ARE IN SERIOUS DECLINE. A CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTIONS REPORT PREPARED FOR THE COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT ESTIMATES THE RIVER WILL RECEIVE 17 PER CENT LESS PRECIPITATION IN SUMMER MONTHS BY 2050.

JOHN ELLIOTT (RIGHT) PART OF THE W̱SÁNEĆ LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SHARES TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR TENDING TO CLAM GARDENS OFF THE COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. AS SEA LEVELS RISE CLAM GARDENS PROTECT THE COASTLINE, AS WELL AS A DIVERSITY

JOHN ELLIOTT (RIGHT) PART OF THE W̱SÁNEĆ LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SHARES TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR TENDING TO CLAM GARDENS OFF THE COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. AS SEA LEVELS RISE CLAM GARDENS PROTECT THE COASTLINE, AS WELL AS A DIVERSITY OF SHELLFISH POPULATIONS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

NAMU HAS BEEN A PLACE OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR LOCAL FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE FOR AS LONG AS RECORDS, MEMORIES AND ORAL HISTORIES REACH BACK. LOCATED ON BRITISH COLUMBIA’S CENTRAL COAST ABOUT 35 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF BELLA BELLA, NAMU IS IN THE GRE

NAMU HAS BEEN A PLACE OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR LOCAL FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE FOR AS LONG AS RECORDS, MEMORIES AND ORAL HISTORIES REACH BACK. LOCATED ON BRITISH COLUMBIA’S CENTRAL COAST ABOUT 35 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF BELLA BELLA, NAMU IS IN THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST. THE FORMER TOWN SITE SITS ABANDONED WITH BUILDINGS FULL OF ASBESTOS, OLD BATTERIES AND ENGINE PARTS SPILLING OUT OF AN ENGINEERING SHED INTO THE WATER BELOW.

HEILTSUK HEREDITARY CHIEF HARVEY HUMCHITT WORKED IN NAMU IN THE 1960S ALONGSIDE MANY OTHER HEILTSUK PEOPLE AND TODAY, HE AND HIS NATION ARE WORKING WITH THE PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO CLEAN UP NAMU AND RE-ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY THERE.

HEILTSUK HEREDITARY CHIEF HARVEY HUMCHITT WORKED IN NAMU IN THE 1960S ALONGSIDE MANY OTHER HEILTSUK PEOPLE AND TODAY, HE AND HIS NATION ARE WORKING WITH THE PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO CLEAN UP NAMU AND RE-ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY THERE.

CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON NICKNAQUEET RIVER HYDRO PROJECT ON WUIKINUXV TERRITORY IN OCTOBER 2017. WHEN COMPLETE, IT WILL HARNESSES FLOWING WATER DOWN THE WANNOCK RIVER IN RIVERS INLET. THE PROJECT WILL SUPPLY THE REMOTE COMMUNITY OF 80 PEOPLE WITH 97% OF

CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON NICKNAQUEET RIVER HYDRO PROJECT ON WUIKINUXV TERRITORY IN OCTOBER 2017. WHEN COMPLETE, IT WILL HARNESSES FLOWING WATER DOWN THE WANNOCK RIVER IN RIVERS INLET. THE PROJECT WILL SUPPLY THE REMOTE COMMUNITY OF 80 PEOPLE WITH 97% OF THE POWER THEY NEED, RELIEVING THEIR RELIANCE ON DIESEL.

CANOE LOGS ARE PART OF THE PACHEEDAHT CEDAR CONSERVATION STRATEGY, FORGED IN 2005, WHICH IDENTIFIES THE SIZE AND VOLUME OF CEDAR THE NATION REQUIRES TO REVITALIZE AND SUPPORT ITS CULTURAL PRACTICES. THE STRATEGY TAKES A 400-YEAR VIEW — THE TIME IT TA

CANOE LOGS ARE PART OF THE PACHEEDAHT CEDAR CONSERVATION STRATEGY, FORGED IN 2005, WHICH IDENTIFIES THE SIZE AND VOLUME OF CEDAR THE NATION REQUIRES TO REVITALIZE AND SUPPORT ITS CULTURAL PRACTICES. THE STRATEGY TAKES A 400-YEAR VIEW — THE TIME IT TAKES FOR RED CEDAR TO GROW TO AN APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR OCEAN-GOING CANOES AND OTHER CULTURAL ITEMS.

PACHEEDAHT MEMBERS AND AN EAGER PACK OF DOGS TAKE A BOAT RIDE TO THE SALMON RECLAMATION PROJECT. AS SALMON STOCKS SLOWLY REBOUND, THE PACHEEDAHT FIRST NATION CONTINUES TO ASSERT THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS ON ITS TERRITORY.

PACHEEDAHT MEMBERS AND AN EAGER PACK OF DOGS TAKE A BOAT RIDE TO THE SALMON RECLAMATION PROJECT. AS SALMON STOCKS SLOWLY REBOUND, THE PACHEEDAHT FIRST NATION CONTINUES TO ASSERT THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS ON ITS TERRITORY.

ELECTED CHIEF REBECCA DAVID OF THE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION STANDS BESIDE HER NATION’S TRADITIONAL SHELLFISH BEDS IN COLES BAY ON SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND. THE FEDERAL GROUP IN CHARGE OF TESTING THE SAFETY OF COASTAL WATERS THE CANADIAN SANITARY SHE

ELECTED CHIEF REBECCA DAVID OF THE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION STANDS BESIDE HER NATION’S TRADITIONAL SHELLFISH BEDS IN COLES BAY ON SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND. THE FEDERAL GROUP IN CHARGE OF TESTING THE SAFETY OF COASTAL WATERS THE CANADIAN SANITARY SHELLFISH PROGRAM, DECLARED THE BAY’S WATERS TOO POLLUTED IN 1997. FOR 26 YEARS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS IT.

TO HAVE BLANKET CLOSURE FOR OVER TWO DECADES IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION CHIEF REBECCA DAVID SAID. THE LACK OF ACCESS VIOLATES THE DOUGLAS TREATIES, IN WHICH INVOLVED FIRST NATIONS WERE GUARANTEED THE “LIBERTY TO HUNT OVER THEIR UN

TO HAVE BLANKET CLOSURE FOR OVER TWO DECADES IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION CHIEF REBECCA DAVID SAID. THE LACK OF ACCESS VIOLATES THE DOUGLAS TREATIES, IN WHICH INVOLVED FIRST NATIONS WERE GUARANTEED THE “LIBERTY TO HUNT OVER THEIR UNOCCUPIED LANDS, AND TO CARRY ON THEIR FISHERIES AS FORMALLY.

MEMBERS OF THE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION WATCH THE SUNSET OVER COLES BAY. THE SITE MAY BE SAFE AT TIMES TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING BUT CANNOT BE REOPENED BECAUSE THE FEDERAL AGENCY CHARGED WITH TESTING THESE WATERS IS UNDERSTAFFED AND DEVOTES ITS LIMITED

MEMBERS OF THE PAUQUACHIN FIRST NATION WATCH THE SUNSET OVER COLES BAY. THE SITE MAY BE SAFE AT TIMES TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING BUT CANNOT BE REOPENED BECAUSE THE FEDERAL AGENCY CHARGED WITH TESTING THESE WATERS IS UNDERSTAFFED AND DEVOTES ITS LIMITED RESOURCES TO COMMERCIAL HARVESTING AREAS.

BOLSTERED BY RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, THE PAUQUACHIN IS CALLING ON ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT TO A HEALTHY SHELLFISH INITIATIVE WITH THE GOAL OF REOPENING 80% OF CLOSED B.C. SHELLFISH BEDS BY 2027. ONE OF THE BARRIERS IS THE

BOLSTERED BY RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, THE PAUQUACHIN IS CALLING ON ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT TO A HEALTHY SHELLFISH INITIATIVE WITH THE GOAL OF REOPENING 80% OF CLOSED B.C. SHELLFISH BEDS BY 2027. ONE OF THE BARRIERS IS THE LACK OF REGULAR TESTING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AS ONLY THEY HAVE AUTHORITY TO OPEN OR CLOSE A SITE.