In 1984, the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation of Clayoquot Sound near Tofino, BC, blockaded the proposed logging of Meares Island and declared it the first Tribal Park in Canada. Wah-nuh-jus – Hilth-hoo-is / Meares Island is home to monumental redcedar trees visitors can enjoy via the famed Big Tree Trail.
In July 2024, 40 years after the struggle to protect these forests began and thanks to the leadership of the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht Nation, 76,000 hectares of land was protected in Clayoquot Sound through the creation of several new conservancies. Most of the lands committed for protection are comprised of some of the grandest and most intact coastal old-growth temperate rainforests on Earth, and the new protected areas will represent the largest old-growth forest protected areas victory in BC since the Great Bear Rainforest conservancies were announced in 2006.
The historic milestone also includes major support from provincial, federal and conservation sources to facilitate sustainable economic development opportunities for the communities to facilitate their economic and social well-being. We applaud the leadership of the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and BC NDP government for this amazing conservation victory.
Be sure to check out Ahous Adventures for eco-cultural tours of Clayoquot Sound.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
Photography by TJ Watt.
