An island is defined by its land and the water that surrounds it. Often, when we consider wilderness protection, we picture a park or a marine reserve. It’s easy to forget the wild places where land and water touch. The land that becomes ocean needs just as much attention as our mountain peaks and estuaries.

 

Almost 20 years ago, the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation made a commitment to protect the marine ecosystems around Gwaii Haanas. This week, the government saw their promise through by extending protection from the land into the ocean. Gwaii Haanas is now one of the greatest, fully protected ecosystems in the world. It’s protected from its mountain tops to its ocean floor.

 

Earlier this week, Environment Minister Jim Prentice tabled an amendment to formally establish the area as Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and a Haida Heritage Site.

 

The heritage site will extend roughly 10 kilometres offshore from the existing Gwaii Haanas park reserve. Blue whales, endangered stellar sea lions, and other marine life including the rare glass sponge call these waters home.

 

Haida Gwaii is named after the Haida Nation that has called it home for last few thousand years. Its name means "Islands of the People". Remarkable, how these people have worked to protect all that is wild about this ancient ecosystem. Well done.