History

In 2014, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, in partnership with Hul’q’umi’num and WSÁNEĆ Nations, began restoring two clam gardens, which haven’t been tended for hundreds of years.

Currently

So far, the clams on the beaches have been monitored and restoration has begun. This work is guided by Coast Salish knowledge holders, and complemented by modern scientific methods. Some days, we move big boulders while listening to stories. On others, we use scales and gauges to assess the health of the intertidal ecosystem.

Give Thanks

WSÁNEĆ and Hul’q’umi’num Nations are the leaders of the Clam Garden Restoration Project. While our partners at Royal Roads University, Simon Fraser University and the University of Saskatchewan as well as many volunteers have contributed both time and strength to this project.
A special thanks to the Cowichan Valley School District (SD. 79) and the WSÁNEĆ School Board who have made sharing knowledge with Coast Salish youth a top priority.

HÍSWḴE and thank you.

Read more about our partnership with Parks Canada and the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve