Explore Further
MARINE REFERENCE GUIDE
There is so much amazing work being accomplished by this organization.
Please explore their links and learn more about Howe Sound/Átl'ḵa7tsem as they invite you to celebrate World Oceans Day, 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
The Marine Reference Guide’s goal is to build capacity to protect, restore, and be stewards of the nature and communities that connect to Átl’ḵa7tsem’s ocean and freshwater. We conduct research, community engagement, and relationship building to create tools and resources that effectively transform knowledge into action and support decision-making and marine spatial planning.
The Guide is led by diverse governments, aquatic sectors, First Nations, and community members who support the project’s vision of working together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit current and future generations of human and aquatic life in Átl’ḵa7tsem. The Guide is a project on MakeWay’s Shared Platform, and was inspired by the Ocean Watch Howe Sound report (2017) and marine spatial planning initiatives in British Columbia (e.g. Marine Planning Partnership, Gwaii-Haanas Land-Sea-People Management Plan).
The Guide is non-binding and respects the rights and title, jurisdictions, and processes of First Nations, governments, aquatic sectors and communities. Together we acknowledge a shared responsibility for ensuring the health of Átl’ḵa7tsem’s aquatic ecosystems and communities.
Marine Reference Guide
Bridget John, Howe Sound/Átl'ḵa7tsem Marine Reference Guide
“World Oceans Day is such an important day as it provides an essential reset for all individuals and communities working daily towards a sustainable ocean, including its life and the livelihoods it sustains. The water in Howe Sound/Átl'ḵa7tsem that we and other creatures depend on today is the same water our ancestors depended on and it will be the same water future generations depend on. I am beyond excited to see all these inspiring events come to life and the momentum that will arise from them to continue to celebrate Howe Sound/Átl'ḵa7tsem!”
INTERACTIVE MAP - Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem Marine Reference Guide
Howe Sound/Átl'ḵa7tsem Marine Reference Guide
HOWE SOUND BIOSPHERE REGION INITIATIVE
I like to think of this organization as a ‘bridge’ for a lot of the work that is being done in our region. A way for us to connect and collaborate, sustainably.
I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Ruth Simons on World Oceans Day, student initiatives over the past year and have learned so much about what’s happening here around Howe Sound. She shares a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and resources, along with the hope of Howe Sound being designated as a UNESCO biosphere region.
Ruth Simons, Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative
“Celebrating UN World Ocean's Day in Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound is important to me because our marine environment is well loved by so many people in this region. Science, research and monitoring in Howe Sound has been taking place for over 40 years. New discoveries of international significance are being made. The value of UN World Oceans Day is that it brings a focus to the health of our oceans and livelihoods it supports, and, the events are an opportunity to bring the science, knowledge holders and educators together with those wishing to learn more about what lies beneath the surface of the ocean. It is an opportunity to engage people, especially the youth with ways in which they can contribute to ocean health and how we can together work to keep our shorelines and water clean. We hope through the events young learners are inspired to be champions for the ocean in the future.”
TOP TIP: Sign up for their newsletter, as there’s a wealth of information and inspiration.
ABOUT Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative
“The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society is a registered not-for-profit organization. Together with our partners at work in the region we share a passion for the natural beauty, incredible biodiversity, rich cultural heritage, and great sustainable economic potential of Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound.”
We are striving to be designated under the UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Man and the Biosphere program. Biosphere Reserves are regions of global ecological significance, that make an on-going commitment to the United Nations to strive for sustainability. They are not parks, and they have no legal authority. They are places where people are inspired to find ways to live, and work in harmony with nature.”
THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF OCEAN SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (2021-2030)
We are all connected by water, by the inflow and outflow of tides around our globe. The ocean does so many things for us and it is in need of help and protection.
For What Are We Without Water
“THE OCEAN DECADE WILL PROVIDE A ‘ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME’ OPPORTUNITY FOR NATIONS TO WORK TOGETHER TO GENERATE THE GLOBAL OCEAN SCIENCE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SHARED OCEAN.”
The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (oceandecade.org)
The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want
CLIMATE CHANGE
The ocean regulates temperature for all of us on this planet and our earth and oceans are warming rapidly.
There is No Planet B.
OCEAN WATCH REPORT
OceanWatch-HoweSoundReport2020-CC-ZeroCarbon.pdf
“More than 475 communities across Canada declared a climate emergency in 2019, including the City of Vancouver, Richmond, Islands Trust Council, Squamish, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Bowen Island, and Surrey.6.”
“The Federal government has also declared a national climate emergency, describing climate change as a “real and urgent crisis, driven by human activity, that impacts the environment, biodiversity, Canadians’ health and the Canadian economy” and committing to meet the Paris Agreement targets, as well as deeper reductions to keep global warming below 1.5°C.7.”
“Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw/Squamish Nation has also declared a climate emergency, and has committed to advocate to all levels of government for climate actions that will reduce Canada’s carbon emissions by 40–60% below 2010 levels by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2050, to meet the requirements for a stable climate as outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.8”
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
Find resources in your community. Get ideas and take action yourself and with others to lighten our footprint for a healthier, sustainable planet. Use our voices and speak up for our oceans. Their greatest threat is climate change. We need to be innovative and the time is now, to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructures, increasing our greenhouse gas emissions. We have the capacity for change. The time is now.
In Squamish Community Action Group | Squamish Climate Action Network
Explore what’s happening in the Arctic through the Hearts In The Ice project with polar ambassador and Squamish resident, Sunniva Sorby. How can you connect this learning to Howe Sound?
World Oceans Day Event, Lens on Antarctica
Antarctica: Life Emerging (only.one)
A Global Perspective & A Call For Marine Protected Areas - Share Your Voice
Call On CCAMLR to protect Antarctica (only.one)
We are all connected by Oceans. What’s happening in your community?
CONNECT TO SALTWATER
Be Inspired by Organizations and Events.
Get Outside and Enjoy some Ocean Air.
EXPLORATION AND LEARNING FOR ALL AGES
Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre - Gibsons
A TOOL TO EXPLORE WITH iNaturalist.ca
Last year we were honoured to have Jackie Hildering, The Marine Detective and Cofounder of the Marine Education and Research Society as our Key Student Presenter at our 2020 World Oceans Day event.
Jackie attended Mamquam Elementary School and retains Squamish Roots.
Her work continues to inspire us. Here’s a video she shared, in celebration of World Oceans Day.
Submerge With Me . . . - YouTube
World Oceans Day Events
Ocean Day with The Marine Detective - FOR SCHOOLS
8 Jun 2021 10:30 AM
Online via Zoom - click link below to register
Ocean Day with The Marine Detective - GENERAL PUBLIC
8 Jun 2021 7:00 PM
Online via Zoom
DAVID SUZUKI
David Suzuki and his work, iconic. Check out Oceans - David Suzuki Foundation for facts and ways you can help.
JOIN THE POD
WATER PODCAST
World Oceans Day Event
Noon, Pacific time on World Oceans Day (Tuesday, June 8) to celebrate southern resident orcas through story, song and science.
OCEAN WISE
Grateful to collaborate and deliver on a Howe Sound, Student Presentation for this year’s World Oceans Day in collaboration with Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative and Ocean Wise Education.
Please check out the wealth of resources and programming under this umbrella and be inspired for Oceans of Change.
World Oceans Day Event
WAVES OF CHANGE - HELP END OVERFISHING - Ocean Wise Seafood
THE OCEAN IS CALLING.
HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY!
OCEANS OF GRATITUDE, TODAY AND EVERY DAY.
I reside on the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and am grateful to share my voice for Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound