Bowen Island sits within the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region. The region covers over 2,000 square kilometers and most of the watershed of Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound, from mountain peak to ocean floor. The designation of the biosphere region is managed by the charitable non-profit Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society.
Many Bowen Island residents were instrumental in securing this designation, working together to enable environmental recovery and guide the future of the biosphere region through the Society’s Board and Governance Advisory Roundtable. Visit the Society’s website to discover how you can get involved.
UNESCO Biosphere Regions are not parks and have no jurisdiction. However, the designation was supported by every municipality and regional district in the region, along with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), provincial and federal governments. This biosphere region brings together local governments, organizations and partners to initiate projects ranging from conservation, research and monitoring, to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives are guided by the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan, a comprehensive management plan for the region. Biosphere regions also encourage locals and visitors to connect with nature through place-based learning initiatives and the promotion of responsible recreation.
Receiving this prestigious designation in 2021 is a testament to the dedication and hard work of countless individuals who, over the past decades, have worked to restore the marine and terrestrial habitats of Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound—reviving the region after nearly a century of environmental damage caused by unsustainable industrial practices. This biosphere region is only the 19th in Canada and third in BC.