Building sustainable local economies

We work with communities in the places we protect to move towards conservation-based economies. For example, we catalyze economic development by providing technical capacity to explore alternatives to resource extraction. Some of these alternatives include producing essential oils from tree branches, commissioning business feasibility analysis for value-added products, and developing prototypes for a First Nations-designed wooden toy business (made with small amounts of sustainably harvested wood).
Read stories of First Nations' economic development initiatives in our report, Community Health, Nature's Wealth >>

Uniting traditions with today's economic needs

We are currently working with one coastal First Nation group to pilot a value-added wood product project, creating children’s toys and furniture. Initiatives such as these build skills and employment, and much of the value in production is captured within communities.

We are strong supporters of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood products. We provide technical support and guidance to First Nations’ logging companies to seek FSC-certification of their operations.

Using our market connections, we provide support by finding venues where First Nations can differentiate their products and share the stories of the people and the places from which the products come.


Towards a sustainable future

 

From our report, Community's Health, Nature's Wealth, Art Sterrit, Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations—Turning Point Initiative, speaks to their vision:

"The ecological diversity found within our traditional territories helps to define and enrich our quality of life. Yet there are startling trends that threaten this. Industrial resource extraction is consuming resources and our territories at an increasingly rapid rate. Within the lifetime of our children, our territories and our resources could be damaged beyond repair.

Protecting British Columbia's ecological diversity is the driving force behind the work of many of our First Nations. Our conservation ethic is deeply rooted in protecting our territories' most important landscapes while promoting the wise use of our renewable natural resources. Maintaining this balance will move First Nations towards a conservation-based economy and lead to economic self-sufficiency.

As First Nation communities we must encourage activities that identify new resources and technologies, and that enhance our current resource base to maximize lasting benefits for our quality of life and the environment. Low-impact resource developments offer First Nations one way to create a sustainable economy. We hope the examples in Community Health, Nature's Wealth provide communities with incentives to move in this direction."
Read stories of First Nations' economic development initiatives in our report, Community Health, Nature's Wealth >>