An Application to Recognize the Salish Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Correspondence from the Salish Sea Trust and SeaLegacy Society requesting support for a UNESCO World Heritage Site application.
Orcas in the Salish Sea, off the Coast of Vancouver Island. Later, Egg Yolk Jelly Fish. Photos: Cristina Mittermeier, SeaLegacy
An Application to Recognize the Salish Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Has Been Submitted
Dear David Screech,
Last August our Minister of Environment invited Canadians to submit applications for places of outstanding natural and cultural value, to be included on Canada's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
With a 10,000 year old Coast Salish culture, and the natural beauty, biodiversity and a unique inner ocean just outside the back door of 3.5 million B.C. residents, it wasn't long before residents and neighbours, "all who call the Salish Sea home”, got to work.
And since then it has become evident that the economic benefits alone will generate the wealth, and establish a foundation for sustainable development, which will in turn maintain the Salish Sea's outstanding values for all to enjoy, a gift to the world.
The Salish Sea, named in 2009, is central to Coast Salish peoples,
"We commend our governing neighbours in the success of bringing our water bodies together under one name, the Salish Sea ...We believe the new name is a symbol of the international message to the World. It demonstrates the importance for all governing bodies of recognizing the connectivity of the ecosystems and ...is a positive move toward future collaboration of policy and science to address issues in an ecosystem that is so vital to the sustainability of all of our life ways." - Coast Salish Gathering, May 2015.
If successful, the 'Salish Sea World Heritage Site' will carry the same international recognition awarded Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Great Wall of China, and Canada’s Gros Morne National Park.
Having submitted the application to Parks Canada, there is now just two months remaining to append support letters before the April 30th deadline. Partnering with the Salish Sea Trust, National Geographic photographers and Salish Sea residents Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen have stepped up efforts to gather such support through the non profit organization SeaLegacy.
Together, and with growing momentum, a community of local government and non-governmental representatives, tourism and heritage associations, as well as Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Associations are recognizing the potential for a Salish Sea World Heritage Site. Together we can protect the significant cultural and natural values of the region, and establish a foundation for sustainable development.
As leaders in the region, your support is valuable. All communities in British Columbia benefit from the iconic nature that makes this province unique. Your help to celebrate the Salish Sea, and to provide support for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will help to bring long-term sustainability and prosperity.
Please consider the many benefits which recognition of a Salish Sea World Heritage Site could bring to our region, and to Canada, and contact us with any questions you may have. Our websites are a great resource too; and we would of course be pleased if you choose to share this request with your networks, or have additional suggestions.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Laurie Gourlay Executive Director, Salish Sea Trust p. 250-722-3444 e. SalishSeaTrust@shaw.ca www.salishseatrust.ca
Kait Burgan SeaLegacy Society p. 250 816 0046 e. Kait@SeaLegacy.org www.WeAreTheSalishSea.eco