Holistic—and Historic—Partnership Protects 'Canadian Galapagos' Off British Columbia
Map shows where innovative plan safeguards rich biodiversity, culture of Haida Gwaii
Known as the Canadian Galapagos for its unparalleled biodiversity, Haida Gwaii—an archipelago of more than 200 islands off the northern coast of British Columbia—is the ancestral home to the Haida Nation, coastal rainforests, old-growth stands of cedar, and a UNESCO World Heritage site that symbolizes the importance of the Haida people and their deep-rooted relationship to the land and waters of this region. The rich biodiversity and cultural history owe much to the combination of a temperate climate and upwellings of nutrient-rich waters when the warmer northern Pacific currents from Japan reach North America. Signed in 2018, an innovative Land-Sea-People management plan between the Haida Nation and the Canadian and provincial governments provides a blueprint for the integration of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve into one managed system from the seafloor to the mountaintops. The plan is based on Haida principles of yahguudang (respect), ‘laa guu ga kanhllns (responsibility), and giid tll’juus (balance). The future management of the conservation area involves Haida as equal partners and commits to protecting and managing marine fisheries to the highest standards in order to safeguard the natural heritage of Gwaii Haanas for future generations.
Peter Baker directs The Pew Charitable Trusts’ work to conserve marine life in Canada and the U.S.
Spotlight on Mental Health
3 Ways Canada Is Protecting Its Ocean—and the People Who Rely on It
MORE FROM PEW
Explore Pew’s new and improved
Fiscal 50 interactive
Your state's stats are more accessible than ever with our new and improved Fiscal 50 interactive:
- Maps, trends, and customizable charts
- 50-state rankings
- Analysis of what it all means
- Shareable graphics and downloadable data
- Proven fiscal policy strategies
Welcome to the new Fiscal 50
Key changes include:
- State pages that help you keep track of trends in your home state and provide national and regional context.
- Interactive indicator pages with highly customizable and shareable data visualizations.
- A Budget Threads feature that offers Pew’s read on the latest state fiscal news.