David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org) was established in 1991 to find and implement solutions to the planet's most pressing environmental problems. They use science to shed light on the roots of these problems, identify alternative pathways, and then develop thought provoking, high profile communications to build broad public support for fundamental change. They have a membership base of almost 30,000, primarily from across Canada. To date, the Foundation has dedicated most of its efforts to Pacific fisheries, aquaculture, forestry and climate change issues. Their geographic scope is Canada, with a particular emphasis on "local solutions" on the West Coast.

 

Friends of Clayoquot Sound (www.focs.ca) are a membership-driven organization based in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Their mission is to be peaceful and courageous advocates for the protection and defense of the ancient forest, fish and wildlife, air, land and water of Clayoquot Sound. Their twenty-two years of operation have led them to being one of the highest profile grassroots organizations in the environmental movement.

 

Georgia Strait Alliance (www.GeorgiaStrait.org) was formed in 1990 to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait (the 135 mile-long sea between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland), its adjoining waters and communities. The organization is based in Nanaimo, but carries out projects all around the region. Members include thousands of individuals along with a diverse range of about 50 organizations including community groups, fishermen, labor unions, marine industry, eco-tourism, other businesses and recreational groups. GSA carries out public education, advocacy, networking and hands-on stewardship.

 

Living Oceans Society (www.livingoceans.org) is a non-profit organization promoting the conservation of marine biological diversity and the creation of sustainable fisheries through ecosystem-based management of our ocean. The group's activities include research, education and advocacy designed to promote community-based marine resource management based on sound conservation principles. By working with stakeholders, participating in multi-stakeholder processes, organizing workshops, and sharing information and research, Living Oceans Society is part of the movement to build new approaches to conserving the health of our ocean. Living Oceans Society projects aim to advance the concepts of conservation biology, ecological and economic sustainability, co-management with stakeholders and First Nations, and people as part of the environment.

 

The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council (www.mttc.ca) based in Alert Bay, represents four member tribes from the Nimpkish River, Alert Bay, Broughton Archipelago and Kingcome Inlet areas, with a total population of 3,000 status and non-status members both on and off reserve. MTTC members are perhaps the hardest hit First Nations in BC with regard to the sitting of fish farms, with almost 30 active farms in their region. The MTTC has a "zero tolerance" position on open netcage farms and has been active on many fronts for years in calling for removal of netcage farms from their traditional territories. The MTTC consists of four member bands: Alert Bay, Gilford,  Gwawaneuk, and Kingcome.

 

Raincoast Conservation Society (www.raincoast.org) is a non-profit research and public education organization with the goal of protecting and restoring coastal rainforest ecosystems and all their interdependent life forms. Using the principles of Conservation Biology and on-the-ground field research, Raincoast strives to better understand the coastal temperate rainforest region's lands, seas, and wildlife in order to assist local communities, conservation planners, and government agencies design and implement sustainable land and marine use plans. Raincoast Conservation Society believes that vibrant sustainable economies and fully functioning ecosystems are not mutually exclusive, but instead are interrelated.

 

T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation (www.bucksuzuki.org) works to protect and improve fish life and fish habitat in BC by encouraging policy, laws and public behavior that ensure that fish-bearing marshes, streams, rivers, lakes and marine waters are not polluted, dammed, diverted, wasted or degraded. On dozens of issues ranging from destructive logging methods to pollution from pulp mills, pesticides and sewage, they are working hard for strong environmental protection. The T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation played a leadership role in the cancellation of the Kemano Completion hydroelectricity project on the Nechako River that threatened millions of salmon in the Fraser River watershed.

 

Watershed Watch Salmon Society (www.watershed-watch.org) is involved in numerous activities related to salmon, including water-use planning, selective fishing, and the pursuit of safe ways to farm salmon. Watershed Watch works closely on these and other endeavors with Simon Fraser University's Centre for Coastal Studies. The mission of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society is to elevate the level of dialogue surrounding wild salmon and salmon habitat, and to improve our chances of saving salmon.