A Day at the Legislature
- kc dyer
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Howe Sound Biosphere team brings their message to Victoria
Members of the Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere Initiative Society (HSBRIS) organization joined other provincial groups at the BC UNESCO Biosphere Region Day at the BC Legislature in Victoria recently for a chance to inform and educate MLAs about the significance of their work.
Hosted by Minister of Environment Tamara Davidson, the groups were given a chance to meet with MLAs, share goals and accomplishments and pitch to the Standing Committee on Finance for a piece of next year’s budget.
Executive Director of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society and Lions Bay resident Ruth Simons said the May 26 visit was upbeat and positive. "The invitation acknowledges the Howe Sound Biosphere's existence as a significant area of BC, that we are non-partisan, and are places that have global recognition," she said, adding that the interaction will help support requests for funding, as more MLAs understand the significance and accomplishments of the initiative.
Simon says that members of the Mt Arrowsmith and Clayoquot Sound biosphere regions also attended the event. All three groups belong to the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association, and Simon says they have built a relationship since her group were first exploring their nomination.
"The Association supports national gatherings and has received funding to hold several BC Biosphere Gatherings, during which we have spent days in immersed in each biosphere sharing knowledge and examples of projects and our relationships with First Nations. We see each other on webinars and sometimes there are projects are participate in together. While we are each distinctly different organizations in governance and funding models, we are generous with sharing information in support of our operations."
The jam-packed visit included sitting in the gallery for the first part of the legislative session where local MLA Jeremy Valeriote recognized and lauded the Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound team, followed by a information session where MLAs mingled and visited the informational tables.
"We were able to inform many MLAs about our existence, what we do, and what value we add to Provincial priorities," says Simon.
Speeches began with an introduction from Ladysmith/Oceanside MLA Stephanie Higginson, and included words from Conservative MLA Environment Critic Sheldon Clare, Valeriote and spokespersons Randene Neil and Rebecca Hurwitz.
Simons is hopeful the visit will bring increased visibility to the Biosphere regions and highlight their importance to government decision-makers. She said that prior to the presentation, Minister of Tourism and Culture Anne Kang was unaware of the initiative, but Simons is hopeful for a visit from Kang when she is in the Sea to Sky area for tourism-related events.
Simons says that interested residents can reach out to ask questions, explore interests and learn about opportunities to support the organization. She calls on local residents to support the Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere in a number of ways, including:
Ask questions, be curious to learn more.
Help share information about the Biosphere region, the significance of the UNESCO designation and why we need to care about nature and our role and place within the region as a whole.
Speak up during this upcoming election to ensure our elected representatives will continue to participate in the Howe Sound Community Forums.
Encourage Council to acknowledge that Lions Bay is within the UNESCO Biosphere on the website and with signage.
Ensure the Official Community Plan references the UNESCO Biosphere Region and includes more references to the protection of biodiversity.
Donate. The organization is not funded by UNESCO and project funding is always time limited. Simons notes that the group always needs to put aside funds for periodic review and succession planning.
Simons notes that Quebec City was just designated Canada’s 20 UNESCO Biosphere Region. "That city takes great pride in this new designation, and I'd love to see Lions Bay do the same," she says. "Our long-term success depends on the land authorities supporting our designation."
This fall, the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere will host EUROMAB 2026 in Parksville. This five-day biennial event brings together more than 308 Biosphere Regions from 53 countries across Europe and North America. The event is seen as an opportunity for participants to discuss managing the interactions between people and nature, to support the conservation of biodiversity, and to test innovative solutions promoting sustainable development.
Follow the link to learn more about the Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere Initiative Society.
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