BOWEN ISLAND CONSERVANCY — NEW WEBSITE
ABOUT — Mission, Vision & Values — Page Draft | Phase One — Build | June 2026
Formal statement drawn verbatim or near-verbatim from the Strategic Plan (June 2026). Each principle now includes one concrete grounding line showing how it applies in practice. Do not paraphrase the formal statements without board approval.
What we believe. Why we act. How we work.
The Bowen Island Conservancy's vision, mission, and guiding principles were approved by the Board in June 2026 as part of our five-year Strategic Plan. They reflect 30 years of conservation work on Nex̱wlélex̱wm / Bowen Island and our commitment to the long term.
VISION
What we are working toward.
Nex̱wlélex̱wm Bowen Island lands and waters are thriving, connected, and resilient.
MISSION
Why we exist.
The Conservancy's mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Nex̱wlélex̱wm Bowen Island's biodiverse ecosystems by advancing science-based stewardship, inspiring shared responsibility over the long term, and establishing the Bowen Island Conservancy as a trusted and responsive conservation leader.
OUR PRINCIPLES
Seven principles that guide every decision.
These principles apply to land acquisition decisions, how we manage protected areas, how we engage with the community, and how we govern ourselves. They are drawn directly from the 2026 Strategic Plan.
1. Conservation First
We recognize that nature has an intrinsic right to exist and thrive.
We prioritize the long-term ecological integrity and resilience of Nex̱wlélex̱wm Bowen Island's ecosystems, ensuring our decisions are informed by science, local knowledge, and a commitment to err on the side of protecting nature when uncertainty exists.
In practice: The western Sanctuary of the Wild Coast Nature Refuge is permanently closed to all visitor access — not because access would be dramatically harmful, but because the most sensitive habitat deserves the quietest possible recovery. When in doubt, we protect first.
2. Based on Science and Traditional Knowledge
We make decisions informed by the best available scientific evidence and Indigenous knowledge systems.
We recognize that using these together strengthens conservation outcomes. We are transparent about what we know, what remains uncertain, and choose the course of action that best protects ecosystems when information is incomplete.
In practice: The 2026 Bowen Island Biodiversity Plan was built with SFU researchers and incorporates both ecological mapping and community knowledge. It shapes every land acquisition and stewardship decision we make.
3. Long-term, Collaborative Stewardship
We take a deliberate 50-to-100-year view, recognizing our duty to care for future generations.
This timeframe shapes how we steward lands and waters, build organizational and financial resilience, and foster shared responsibility for conservation on and beyond Conservancy lands.
In practice: Conservation covenants registered under the BC Land Title Act run with the title permanently — they bind future owners regardless of who holds the land. We write covenants knowing they must hold long after everyone currently involved has moved on.
4. Responsive, Disciplined, and Evidence-based Action
We maintain the organizational capacity required for long-term stewardship while remaining nimble and responsive.
We pursue initiatives only when they advance conservation outcomes and can be supported by the governance, people, systems, and financial resources needed for long-term success.
In practice: The Cape Lands acquisition required moving quickly when the opportunity arose — but only because the Conservancy had maintained donor relationships, financial reserves, and governance readiness over years of careful organizational work.
5. Integrity and Accountability
We govern transparently, aligning our actions with our stated priorities and commitments.
We learn and adapt, communicating our decisions, the evidence that informs them, and how we respond to uncertainty. We act as responsible stewards, accountable to future generations.
In practice: We publish annual financial statements, hold open AGMs, and make our Constitution and Bylaws publicly available. We do not hold land privately or make conservation decisions without documented ecological rationale.
6. Respectful Relationships
We engage board members, volunteers, the Bowen Island community, Indigenous Nations, partners, and other organizations by listening carefully, valuing their knowledge, and explaining our decisions clearly.
We are committed to building respectful, reciprocal relationships that strengthen conservation and stewardship.
In practice: Nex̱wlélex̱wm / Bowen Island sits within Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) territory. The Conservancy acknowledges that relationship explicitly and works to engage Squamish Nation in conservation planning rather than acting as if the land's history began in 1996.
7. Honouring Places and Legacies
We celebrate the ecological, cultural, and community legacies of Nex̱wlélex̱wm Bowen Island.
We recognize that Indigenous Peoples have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial and honour their enduring relationship to this place. We strive to leave a lasting legacy of healthy ecosystems and responsible stewardship for future generations.
In practice: Every place the Conservancy protects is protected permanently — not temporarily, not conditionally. The ecological value of the Wild Coast, Fairy Fen, and Singing Woods will be available to people two centuries from now who have never heard of the Bowen Island Conservancy.
Support land protection on Bowen Island
The Conservancy is a registered Canadian charity. Your donation helps protect and steward ecologically important lands on Nex̱wlélex̱wm / Bowen Island for future generations.
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