Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem is within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and borders the Tsleil-waututh, Sechelt and Musqueam Nations’ territories. Átl’ḵa7tsem is one of three Squamish Nation place names for this deep-water fjord, and describes paddling out of the fjord toward the
Salish Sea. The region’s waters are ecologically rich and support thriving cultures, livelihoods, and communities. Being directly adjacent to the growing metropolis of Vancouver, Átl’ḵa7tsem faces unique opportunities and challenges to preserving its socio-economic, cultural, and ecological integrity.

It really is a special place. So to celebrate Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem on and after this World Oceans Day here are 10 things you can do!

 

Share your Knowledge

1. Participate in our Aquatic values survey:

Share your knowledge about the Sound’s ocean and freshwater by participating in our online survey. This survey’s purpose is to understand how community groups and individuals value the Sound’s ocean, rivers and streams, and to characterize community stewardship and connection to place.

2. Submit a testimonial:

Share a testimonial with us that we can post on our website. We want to know how you’re using the Marine Reference Guide.

Photo: Tamara Loney

 

Learn and Explore

3. Read our Update Package:

Find out what the Marine Reference Guide has been up to over the past year! Discover our accomplishments to support marine spatial planning and education, bring together ways of knowing, empower young people and strengthen collaboration and community.

4. Explore our Interactive Map:

Uncover the 700 spatial data layers and documents associated with Átl’ḵa7tsem’s ocean, freshwater, and communities in our newly launched interactive map.

5. Explore our Community Map:

Visualize who’s doing what work in the Sound with this community directory. This map is meant to facilitate collaboration amongst Átl’ḵa7tsem’s diverse government and stakeholder groups who connect with the region’s ocean and freshwater.

6. Check out our Blog posts:

Explore some of the blogs we have produced about herring surveys, plankton surveys and more!

7. Dive into our Research reports:

Learn about eelgrass, Indigenous stewardship, and scuba diving in the Sound.

The Marine Reference Guide's interactive map.

The Marine Reference Guide’s interactive map.

Upcoming Events

8. UN World Oceans Day:

The United Nations designated a special World Oceans Day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. Together with partners around the sound, we come together to celebrate. On June 8th join an event for young learners or an event all about glass sponge reefs and the amazing underwater world in Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem.

9. Marine Reference Guide technical webinar:

Join us on June 29th from 10-11am to learn more about how to use the Marine Reference Guide’s decision support tools. We will go into details of how you can get the most out of our interactive map.

10. Art for Sea to Sky 2021:

From July 8-August 2nd, attend an art exhibition by Art by Di on Bowen Island/Nex̱wlélex̱wem to explore the science, nature and beauty of Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound.

Art for Sea to Sky