ITC Regional Conservation Plan 2018-2027 Summary

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working together to 
protect canada’s islands  
in the salish sea
Two Irkingr Tterh Cpnrotcinad’r  
Pkin spt Cpnrotcihlpn flfum-flfflfi

The Islands Trust Conservancy’s Plan for Conservation2
Islands in the Salish Sea 
The Islands Trust Area includes an archipelago of more 
than 450 islands and islets (shown in blue). These “islands 
in the Salish Sea” are home to more than 26,000 people. 
Residents and visitors alike enjoy the region’s calm waters 
and gentle climate, which also provide sanctuary to a rich 
diversity of wildlife. 
The Islands Trust Conservancy was established in 1990 to 
help preserve and protect lands and waters in this area. Our 
vision for this area is a vibrant tapestry of human history and 
ecology, where people live and work in harmony with the 
natural world and join together to ensure the protection of 
large natural areas and important wildlife habitat. 
The Islands Trust Conservancy recognizes that our work takes 
place within the asserted traditional territories of numerous 
First Nations. 

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The Islands Trust Conservancy’s Plan for Conservation
First Nations have lived along the Pacific Northwest Coast since  
time immemorial. 
For local First Nations, the earth is a place of nourishment and knowledge, 
providing gifts of food, shelter, clothing and medicine. The islands’ 
abundance of plants and animals—such as ducks, shellfish, salmon, herring, 
berries and cedar—made it an excellent place to hunt, fish and gather 
plants. Local First Nations peoples also cultivated the land and waters, using 
sophisticated techniques to create food-producing clam gardens and fire to 
create open Garry oak meadows with abundant camas bulbs. 
Many different First Nations peoples stayed on the islands for some or all of 
the year, and this was a place of great linguistic diversity. 
The impacts of European settlement - intended and unintended - devastated 
the way of life for local First Nations people. Epidemics of diseases wiped 
out a significant percent of the Indigenous population, and the impacts of 
the 1876 Indian Act further segregated those who survived from their 
lands, culture and traditions.
Today, steps are being taken towards greater awareness and respect of 
First Nations interests in the island region—both past and present. 
The Islands Trust Conservancy, like many other agencies, is working 
to better engage with local First Nations and is seeking opportunities 
to integrate traditional knowledge, identify and protect culturally sig-
nificant species, improve stewardship of cultural and natural heritage, and 
appropriately recognize Aboriginal Rights and Title, and Treaty rights.
Above Camas flowers
Below A clam garden, created by 
terracing a rocky beach to create new 
clam habitat
Photo: John Harper, SFU
Bottom A Garry oak meadow
A Place of Nourishment and Knowledge

The Islands Trust Conservancy’s Plan for Conservation4
Above In Canada, the only 
remaining breeding population of 
the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butter

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