Celebrating 25 Years Working Together in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region

Melody Charlie

On September 20th, we gathered to recognize a milestone: 25 years of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, community members, Elders, families, youth, and visitors. Your presence, spirit, and thoughtful attention brought the celebration to life and made it truly unforgettable. The energy on the school field was truly inspiring.

It was a day filled with appreciation, reflection, and joy as everyone came together to honour Indigenous knowledge and leadership, highlight 25 years of collaborative conservation and sustainable development, and look ahead with hope for the future.

Nina Moodley

From the moment ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation) opened the day, the celebration carried a spirit of connection and gratitude. Together, we acknowledged not only the anniversary of the UNESCO Biosphere designation but also the deeper history of stewardship and care by the nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations and the many grassroots champions who have stood for this place long before 2000.

We are especially grateful for the theme of the day, Taking Pride in Working Together, suggested by CBT board member Lorena Frank from ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ. Collaboration has always been at the heart of the Biosphere, and this gathering showed just how much can be achieved through partnerships, teamwork, and community spirit. More than a theme, it is a guiding path, a powerful way forward for the next 25 years and beyond.

Melody Charlie

With Gratitude

This event was made possible through the contributions of so many, and we extend our deepest thanks to ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ for co-hosting the event and to all our:

• Funders: Heritage Canada, District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, Tourism Tofino, Tourism Ucluelet, Tourism Vancouver Island, Chan Nowosad Boates, Motiv Architects, Propellor Advisors, Tofino Co-op, British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, and a private donor. Your financial support made this gathering possible, and we are deeply grateful for your investment.

• Volunteers: Your energy and generosity were felt in every part of the day, from set up to serving meals, and helping behind the scenes.
• Event committee and core team: Samantha Hackett (Tofino Chamber of Commerce), Jody Kirk (Tourism Tofino), Karen Habib and Bobby Lax (District of Tofino), Abby Fortune (District of Ucluelet), Kali Touchie and the Tla-o-qui-aht Public Works team, Martin Dean (Neck of the Woods), and many others who poured months of planning, creativity, and heart into making the event seamless and meaningful.
• Exhibitors: Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, Association of Wetlands Stewards for Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, Redd Fish Restoration Society, Ucluelet Aquarium, Multiplex Society, Tofino Arts Council, Tourism Ucluelet, Wild Pacific Trail Society, Tourism Tofino, Clayoquot Action, Coastal Queer Alliance, Raincoast Education Society, WildSafeBC Pacific Rim, Westcoast Community Resources Society, BC Emergency Health Services, BC Schizophrenia Society, Elizabeth George, Shirley Galbraith, mułaa, Rising Tide Surf Society, Carving on the Edge, and the Tofino Fire Department. Thank you for creating hands-on, educational, and engaging booths that inspired all ages and sparked thoughtful conversations.
• Artists: Special thanks to Ivy Cargill Martin for the event image, featured on our t-shirts, cards, and stickers, and to all those who shared their gifts of music, art, and storytelling.

Nina Moodley 

We’d also like to highlight the incredible people, businesses, and organizations that provided the event with:

• Delicious food: Our heartfelt thanks to ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) for the wild salmon, TUCG, Heartwood Kitchen, and chef Ian Riddick and his team for an amazing lunch. And to Long Beach Lodge Resort, Shelter restaurant, the Wickaninnish Inn, and Ron Weeks from the Wickaninnish Community School for the decadent sweet treats. Thanks to Rhino Coffee House, Foggy Bean, and Common Loaf for providing us with coffee and cups to warm up attendees and keep the energy high on a rainy day.
• Event infrastructure and in-kind support: Thank you to the Wickaninnish Community School, Tin Wis Resort, Ukee Rent-It, Shelter Restaurant, District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, Tourism Vancouver Island, TUCG,  Sysco, Surf Grove, Coastal Community Credit Union, and Tofino Resort and Marina for providing the essential infrastructure that allowed this gathering to come to life, from tents, tables, chairs, to kitchen equipment, porta potties, and on-the-ground support.
• Transportation: Thanks to the generosity of BC Transit and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, free bus transportation was available all day.
• Printing services: We’re grateful to Foxi Print for doing an amazing job (with a very short deadline) in printing our cards, stickers, and event banner.
• Composting services: A big shout-out to Georgina Valk at Coastal Compost for helping us reduce waste! The event generated one bag of garbage; everything else was composted or recycled.

Melody Charlie

Thanks again to all of you; it was truly wonderful to see everyone come together for this event. Your generosity has made this celebration not only possible but vibrant and certainly memorable!

Nina Moodley

Looking Ahead

As we mark this 25-year milestone, we are also reflecting on our shared history, including the complexities, and envisioning the years to come. Together, we will continue to support reconciliation, conservation, and sustainable development so that people and nature can continue to thrive side by side.