Working towards social and ecological sustainability in Northwest British Columbia since 1996
Twenty years ago, a number of northwest First Nations and environmental leaders came together with scientists to form a non-profit organization called the Northwest Institute for Bioregional Research. We undertake research, publish educational information, promote cooperation among communities and initiate model projects -- all towards the goals of environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Northwest Institute is ensuring residents in our region understand the location, scale and likely impacts of proposed liquified natural gas (LNG) projects.
In April 2019, 60 people from the business, union, community and environmental sectors gathered to discuss the urgent need for the B.C. government to reform forest management to better reflect ecosystem based management and support community economic certainty -- within the context of indigenous rights and title, climate change and B.C.’s globally important biodiversity.
Northwest British Columbia is a vast, sparsely populated region where rural communities and small cities co-exist with intact wilderness ecosystems. It is the home to numerous First Nations, none of whom have ceded their terrritories to the crown. Three major wild salmon rivers -- the Nass, Skeena and Stikine -- flow through the region to the Pacific Ocean. The region’s abundant natural resources have led to a series of large-scale industrial proposals over the decades, including salmon farms, pulp mills, mines, hydro projects and oil and gas pipelines.
© Northwest Institute, 2023