About Year of the Salish Sea

We respectfully acknowledge that the Year of the Salish Sea initiative operates on the unceded, ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Read More.

The Year of the Salish Sea (June 8, 2022-June 7, 2023) is an effort that aims to bring together local First Nations, municipalities, organizations, and individuals in the Salish Sea ecosystem region to strengthen existing efforts working towards a healthy Salish Sea through public engagement and the spreading of stewardship and educational opportunities. The Year has three broad aims:

  • Amplify existing stewardship work and encourage greater collaboration between stakeholders who are involved in various projects and initiatives that promote the health of the Salish Sea ecosystem

  • Call on the members of the public to learn more about the Salish Sea ecosystem, find out how they can help, and shift towards an ocean-centered way of living through various forms of engagement

  • Open windows for effective and meaningful policy change in ocean governance that will support existing ocean-centered work and improve the health and management of the Salish Sea for generations to come

The Year of the Salish Sea initiative emerged from Simon Fraser University’s Semester in Dialogue cohort in Fall 2021. The initiative was created in response to issues facing the Salish Sea such as fragmented ocean governance, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. Currently, three students from this cohort continue to organize and develop the Year.

The Year of the Salish Sea aligns with the work of the Salish Sea Hope Spot, the UN Ocean Decade, the UN Decade on Restoration, and it begins on World Oceans Day.

Eight governing bodies have passed Year of the Salish Sea motions, proclaiming June 8, 2022-June 7, 2023 as the Year of the Salish Sea: the City of Vancouver, the City of Richmond, the City of Powell River, the City of Olympia, the Town of Gibsons, the Municipality of Bowen Island, the District of Squamish, and the Islands Trust Council.

Visit the Get Involved page for a list of resources and Salish Sea related events you can attend during the Year of the Salish Sea (June 8, 2022-June 7, 2023).