The Emerald Edge delegation joins Indigenous people and grassroots organizations from more than 30 countries in blessing the fish pond lei limu, seaweed woven into dried grass.
TNC Canada's Michael Reid greets another participant in the traditional Hawaiian way, touching foreheads and sharing a breath.
Hawaiian elders provide guidance on how to build a traditional "fish house."
Denna Duncan, SEAS Coordinator, Kitasoo/Xai'Xais Nation in British Columbia, moves boulders and stones with an international crew helping to restore huilua, a fish pond or traditional aquaculture system.
Bethany Goodrich from Alaska's Sustainable Southeast Partnership learning about traditional Hawaiian architecture.
Spencer Greening, from the Gitga'at Nation on the north coast of British Columbia, making friends with respected Hawaiian elder and knowledge holder.
Photo credit: Bethany Goodrich, Sustainable Southeast Partnership
Photo credit: Michael Reid, TNC Canada
Every four years, the World Conservation Congress invites several thousand leaders and practitioners from government, academia, business, and indigenous and local communities to share their conservation goal, accomplishments, and challenges. This year, TNC Canada sponsored a group of Indigenous leaders from the Emerald Edge (British Columbia, Alaska, and Washington) to participate in this event and vocalize key issues felt on the ground in the Pacific Northwest.
The pre-congress gathering, which was held in O'ahu, Hawaii, brought together cultures from over 30 different countries to discuss global conservation problems and connect with each other to move towards creating cohesive protection for our planet and people. View the gallery above for photos of the World Conservation Congress gathering.
The Nature Conservancy's work in the Emerald Edge includes communication and collaboration with First Nations, tribes, and local communities throughout the region to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems for people and nature.
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Learn more about our work in the Emerald Edge
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Bezos Earth Fund gift of $100 million to The Nature Conservancy for nature-based climate solutions includes $20 million to support Indigenous-led conservation and carbon sequestration through our Emerald Edge program. The rainforests of the Emerald Edge harbor globally significant biodiversity and carbon stores. The average annual rainfall of more than 115 inches results in large, long-lived trees which are not affected by the pests and fires of many forests in Western North American.
On the Hoh River and In the surrounding Olympic Rainforest, The Nature Conservancy seeks to rebuild the regionβs health and resilience to climate change by reconnecting habitat corridors along the Hoh, Quillayute, Queets, and Quinault Rivers from Olympic National Park to the Pacific Ocean.
Where urban meets wild, a new generation is bridging conservation with community.
The federal government of Canada has committed to funding the land-use visions and authority of First Nations for the iconic Clayoquot Sound as part of a groundbreaking announcement earlier this week. It will help to establish major new protected forest and coastal areas as well as provide funding to support them.
The federal government of Canada has committed to funding the land-use visions and authority of First Nations for the iconic Clayoquot Sound as part of a groundbreaking announcement earlier this week. It will help to establish major new protected forest and coastal areas as well as provide funding to support them.
The Nature Conservancy is seeking a contractor who will conduct a review and market analysis of the current commercial fisheries along Washingtonβs Pacific Coast to identify potential opportunities to increase sustainable fish markets. Proposals due Sept. 4, 2019
The exchanges we had with Makah leaders were as unforgettable as the broad, black-sand beaches covered with sand dollars where we walked in the early mornings and evenings.
Honoring the knowledge and rights of indigenous people around the globe, we can create lasting positive outcomes for nature, communities, livelihoods and cultures.