Conservation Efforts

The Homalco-Taggares salmon hatchery is located in Orford Bay, Bute Inlet where our Great Bears of Bute Tour takes place. Established in the early 1990s with a generous contribution from the Taggares family, the hatchery supports rejuvenation of the struggling coho and chum salmon populations in Homalco territory.

Our conservation efforts focus on replenishing Orford salmon stocks that are a key traditional food source for the People and a large number of bears. More than 50 grizzlies return to the area each year to feast on salmon. Preserving and enhancing stocks is fundamental to the survival of the bears, the overall health and prosperity of the forests surrounding the rivers, while also maintaining an important cultural food source for Homalco.

In 2019, the Homalco Taggares Hatchery was severely damaged in a winter storm, resulting in the demolition of the original facility. We constructed a small temporary hatchery to carry out the salmon enhancement of the Chum and Coho in 2020.

Now, more than ever, the Homalco Taggares Hatchery needs friends and financial support to re-build the hatchery, protect and restore sensitive salmon habitat, conserve grizzly and wildlife habitat, and continue salmon enhancement efforts. If you would like to further support our salmon conservation projects, please get in touch with us [email protected].

The Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC (CBVA) was formed to promote sustainable bear viewing in British Columbia and aid in protecting wild bears and their ecosystems. The CBVA was established in 2001 and advocates for bears through science-based research.

The CBVA is an association comprised of 24 member companies and their guides, and together they set the industry standards for bear viewing. Our job as CBVA members and wildlife guides is to create as little impact on the animals as possible. Instead of getting guests as close to wildlife as possible, we show them wildlife in their most natural habitat (eating, drinking, sleeping or travelling) without disturbing them.

In 2023 Homalco Tours established a Cultural Revitalization Fund to support Homalco youth in learning about and understanding the shared history, language and culture that was lost during years of residential schooling. We have seen the life-changing impacts for youth on our team who have embraced their heritage during Indigenous tourism training.

Guests not only benefit from knowledge shared, but the community benefits with the growth of more language speakers and cultural knowledge keepers. The youth themselves develop a new sense of pride and purpose leading to positive changes in their lives.

Funds go to support language and cultural program that may include tribal canoe journeys, ʔayʔajuθəm (Ayajuthem) language training, Elder knowledge sharing sessions, ethnobotany learning, or post-secondary studies. Our guests directly contribute to these initiatives when taking one of our cultural-focused tours such as People Water Land. ʔimot (it is good | thank you).

The North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA) conducts conservation and business activities to benefit marine mammals, the economy and the marine environment off Northern Vancouver Island.

NIMMSA was incorporated in May 2007 after North Island-based marine eco-tourism company owners formed a society steering committee in April 2006. NIMMSA currently represents the shared vision of 25 organizations committed to sustainability and creating a positive balance between human activities and the health of the local marine ecosystem.