Announcing the 2024 Biosphere Research Award

Biosphere Research Award Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Haoom Fisheries- Ha'oom Fisheries Society

We are excited to announce the recipient of the 2024 Biosphere Research Award. This year, the CBT awarded $20,000 in funding to Ha’oom Fisheries Society for their Coho Vitality Project.  

We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Research and Environment Advisory Committee, comprised of dedicated local volunteers, for their time and efforts to review each application.  

To learn more about the project, or connect with the project leaders, email colin@clayoquotbiosphere.org.  

Coho Vitality Project – Ha’oom Fisheries Society 

Ha’oom Fisheries Society (HFS) aims to assess the health of the local cuw̓it (Coho) populations. Cuw̓it is one of five native salmon species in BC waters and holds immense significance within the nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) worldview, symbolizing a sacred relationship between the people, the salmon, and the land. Recent estimates of cuw̓it populations in ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) watersheds reveal alarming declines, posing threats to both food security and the cultural integrity of the community. Furthermore, conservation and monitoring efforts for West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) cuw̓it have been hindered by a lack of accurate abundance data, stemming from the closure of directed troll fisheries in 1997 due to severely depleted stock levels.  

Without in-season estimates, we do not have a reference point for the health of WCVI cuw̓it, leading to an inadequate understanding of the status of our local populations. Thus, developing a reference point for cuw̓it populations in Clayoquot Sound is essential for the sustainable management and conservation of local cuw̓it populations, as outlined in the Wild Salmon Policy. Traditional population monitoring approaches used for other species of salmon, such as chinook, have proven inefficient for Coho salmon due to the lack of direct measurements of adult returns, juvenile production, and catch estimates. However, assessing the capacity of available freshwater habitat for juvenile coho can serve as an alternative to these traditionally used methods, as it provides Clayoquot Sound wide escapement goals and estimates of our local streams ability to produce juvenile coho. 

This project will begin in the fall of 2024 and will be led by Hutton Noth, a former junior biologist with HFS and a graduate student at Simon Fraser University. The habitat capacity model will be developed by estimating the length of suitable habitats within the study area, focusing on accessibility for juvenile salmon. This includes identifying any barriers, such as steep gradients, man-made structures, or waterfalls, that might prevent fish from moving freely. Next, we'll use existing monitoring data collected by various local organizations to predict the relationship between stream characteristics and the number of juvenile salmon (smolts) the habitat can support. By pairing smolt numbers with adult spawner data, we can better understand how many spawners are needed to fully populate the available habitat. Finally, we’ll calculate the total number of spawners required to ensure a healthy population of juvenile salmon throughout the area which will serve as a population reference point. Although this method provides a coarse estimate, it’s a valuable starting point for managing and maintaining cuw̓it populations in Clayoquot Sound, a region where data is limited. 

Starting in the spring of 2025, this project aims to address critical knowledge gaps highlighted in the preliminary analysis, focusing on how cuw̓it smolts use different habitat variables across various river reaches in Clayoquot Sound. The fieldwork will include juvenile swims, fish sampling using seining nets, and measuring habitat variables such as stream depth and water quality. This data will enhance the accuracy of our habitat capacity model and thus project more accurate estimates of cuw̓it reference levels. 

HFS’s research focuses on informing the communities in Clayoquot Sound about the health of cuw̓it salmon. By implementing a juvenile cuw̓it monitoring project, they aim to establish a baseline understanding of the key species' current health and habitat use to help inform restoration, enhancement, and management. Through this project, HFS also contributes to habitat conservation, as data on juvenile cuw̓it abundance and habitat use will allow for the identification of critical rearing habitats—or the lack thereof. 

Ha’oom Fisheries Society and this project work to rebuild and sustain healthy cuw̓it populations within the five First Nations territories in the region and adhere to the nuučaan̓uł principles of hišukiš čawaak (everything is connected, everything is one) and isaak (respect).  

By promoting the conservation and sustainable management of cuw̓it salmon and their habitat within the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region, we uphold the UNESCO biosphere region principles. Protecting cuw̓it also works to protect and foster the sacred relationship between nuučaan̓uł people, salmon, and their rivers. We also hope that by beginning to understand the health of this species, we can raise awareness of the importance of cuw̓it salmon within Clayoquot Sound and motivate behavior change among community members. 

-Ha’oom Fisheries Society   

Fostering Collaboration: BC's UNESCO Biospheres Gather in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

October 9, 2024
In early October, the three BC-based UNESCO Biosphere Regions gathered for knowledge sharing within the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. Each Biosphere Regions works together on shared priorities including biodiversity conservation and climate action. By leveraging our unique strengths and priorities, we are able to collaborate and support each other’s efforts.  

Collaboration and Conservation: Highlights from Our Gathering at the Waterton Biosphere Region

October 9, 2024
Earlier this month, Janessa (Conservation Partnerships Coordinator) and Rebecca (Executive Director), joined colleagues from across Canada’s 19 UNESCO Biosphere Regions for a knowledge-sharing event within the Waterton Biosphere Region. This gathering was made possible thanks to support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association. 

Koyah's Journey: From receiving CBT's Education Award to Studying Science at UBC

October 1, 2024
Koyah Morgan-Banke a Toquaht student who received CBT's Central Region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Education Award in 2023 and is currently studying Sciences at the University of British Columbia to pursue a career in medicine. She has recently gotten in touch to share an update on her academic journey as well as her personal growth since receiving the award. 

Insights from our 2024 Intern: A Summer with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

September 25, 2024
This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming Zahur as CBT's 2024 summer intern, where they played a key role in supporting a variety of initiatives across the organization. Zahur brought fresh perspectives and a strong work ethic, making a meaningful impact on numerous projects. We’re incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication! To learn more about Zahur's experience, read their blog post below.

New Signage: Welcoming You to the Haḥuułi of the Five Central Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations

September 9, 2024
If you’ve driven from Port Alberni to the coast recently, you may have noticed a new sign 2km before you arrive at “the junction.” The sign welcomes you to the ḥaḥuułi of the five central region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations — hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) — where the biosphere region is designated. 

Announcing the 2024 Vital Grants

September 5, 2024
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Vital Grants. This year, the CBT awarded $80,000 in funding to three inspiring projects in the region. These grants focus on addressing regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. They also aim to support meaningful, longer-term collaboration between organizations, communities, and cultures.

Announcing the Community Prosperity Fund Recipients

September 3, 2024
We are pleased to announce that $125,000 in funding was distributed to support three projects in the region through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities.

Join our Team!

August 27, 2024
*This position has been filled!  The construction of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre creates an opportunity to exemplify the richness of the region’s cultures in a physical space, providing opportunities for all local artists to preserve culture and traditional knowledge, while creating accessible economic opportunities through art. The Art Program Coordinator engages community members and partners with the goal to plan, gather, and supervise the creation and installation of art in the future building in scale with available funding.

Newsletter Feature: World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions

August 26, 2024
We’re honored to have been featured in the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions newsletter! This spotlight highlights the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Center and the ongoing efforts in the region to reduce plastic pollution, alongside our collaborative stewardship initiatives. Read more!

Announcing the 2024 Arts & Culture Grants

August 20, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts and Culture grants. This year, eleven inspiring projects in our region have been awarded a total of $30,000 in funding. These grants focus on supporting arts and cultural activities that encourage inter-generational participation. They aim to promote cross-community and cross-cultural engagement, facilitate learning and teaching opportunities, and strengthen arts capacity through workshops, collaborations, and education. Additionally, these grants prioritize equity-seeking initiatives that address barriers to equal access and participation in the arts, focusing on BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. 

Announcing the 2024 Youth & Education Grants

August 9, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Youth and Education grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $52,000 in funding to eleven inspiring projects in the region. These grants aim to address urgent needs for youth, as highlighted in CBT's 2023 Vital Signs report. They focus on building capacity, providing education and training opportunities, and fostering connections among youth across communities in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Additionally, the grants support youth-driven projects and promote education and discussion around multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and diversity.

Join our Team!

July 24, 2024
*This position has been filled!  We’re looking for an Executive and Finance Assistant to support the CBT across all program areas. The successful candidate will coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the CBT office, creating a welcoming space, hosting events, updating administrative practices, and maintaining records. They will work closely with the Executive Director to support the Board of Directors, as well as work closely with the Finance Coordinator to assist with bookkeeping processes. The Executive and Finance Assistant will work across the CBT to support our programs and events. Apply now!

Announcing the 2024 Community Development Grants

July 23, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Development grants. This year, five outstanding projects in our region have been awarded a total of $24,000 in funding. These grants are dedicated to fostering accessible, inclusive, healthy, supportive, equitable, and sustainable communities, helping to build a stronger and more united region.

Announcing the 2024 Research & Environment Grants

July 17, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Research and Environment grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $36,000 in funding to six inspiring projects in the region. These projects address threats to key species and ecosystems and uplift nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) ways of knowing. Efforts also focus on habitat conservation, restoration, and protection for ecologically and culturally important species and ecosystems.

Welcoming our 2024 Summer Intern

July 15, 2024
We're excited to welcome Zahur Ashrafuzzaman (she/he/they), our new summer intern who is already making valuable contributions to a variety of projects across the organization!

Our Team's Experience at EuroMAB 2024

June 11, 2024
In early June 2024, two members of the CBT team, Colin Robinson and Janessa Dornstauder had the opportunity to attend EuroMAB 2024 in the Elbe River Landscape, Germany – a UNESCO Biosphere. Because there are so few countries in North America, Canada, and the USA participate in the European network, while Mexico participates in the Latin network. Read more about their experience!