Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society

What Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society does

The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society (HSBRIS) is a Canadian charitable organization (registered charity number 70613 0697 RR001) that manages the UNESCO Biosphere Region designation for the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound area in British Columbia. Founded in 2017 and operating with approximately 5 staff from a Lions Bay/Squamish base, the society achieved UNESCO designation on September 15, 2021, becoming Canada's 19th Biosphere Region and joining a global network of 700+ biosphere regions. Governance is structured around a board that includes a constitutional co-Chair role reserved for the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), formalizing Indigenous co-governance over the 218,723-hectare region spanning Point Atkinson to Black Tusk and west to the Sunshine Coast.

HSBRIS does not sell products or services in the commercial sense. Its core deliverables are programmatic and collaborative: the Nchu'ú7mut/Unity Plan (a co-created land and marine use framework), the Howe Sound/Átl'ka7tsem Marine Reference Guide (an interactive ecological knowledge platform hosted on MakeWay's national infrastructure), the Biosphere 101 educational course, and three coordination networks — the Howe Sound Conservation Network (21+ NGOs), Marine Action Network, and Community Forums. These programs address biodiversity protection (4,400+ species documented via iNaturalist as of March 2022, with 175+ species at risk), habitat restoration (211 hectares protected; over 1 million fish fry released in the Elaho Valley), and multi-jurisdictional coordination across federal, provincial, municipal, and First Nations authorities. Distribution is achieved through partnerships rather than commercial channels, with engagement via website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), newsletters, webinars, and in-person community events.

The society's revenue derives from three streams: individual and corporate donations (facilitated through the website with matched-giving campaigns such as the Live Where You Give Campaign), federal government grants (notably $926,316 CAD over four years from Environment and Climate Change Canada's Enhanced Nature Legacy Program announced September 1, 2022), and foundation grants (including $10,000 from West Vancouver Foundation and matching through the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund). Total annual revenue is not publicly disclosed. The operating model is partnership-dependent and grant-anchored, with go-to-market focused on awareness, education, and convening rather than commercial sales — appropriate to the UNESCO framework, which confers no legal authority but provides legitimacy, global network access, and a coordination mandate for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Name

Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society

Legal name

Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society

Website

https://howesoundbri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society is a Canadian charitable organization managing the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region designation in British Columbia. It coordinates conservation, education, and sustainable development across 218,723 hectares with 21+ NGO partners, the Squamish Nation, and government agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Biosphere conservation
• Biodiversity protection
• Environmental stewardship
• Marine conservation
• Sustainable development

Headquarters

HQ city

Squamish

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals and organizations to support stewardship, education, and ecological resilience initiatives. Donations are facilitated through their website and are matched through campaigns such as the Live Where You Give Campaign.
2. Government Grants: Federal funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada, including $926,316 announced September 1, 2022 from Canada's Enhanced Nature Legacy fund for biodiversity conservation over four years.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations such as West Vancouver Foundation, including $10,000 donation to the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Fund. Matching campaigns through Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit that serves as the backbone organization coordinating the UNESCO-designated Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region. It manages the Nchu'ú7mut/Unity Plan collaborative governance framework co-developed with Skwxwú7mesh and shíshálh Nations, supports a network of 21+ conservation organizations, and delivers educational programs, biodiversity projects, and an interactive marine reference guide for the region.

Product overview

Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society is a charitable organization that does not offer a traditional technology product portfolio. Instead, it provides a suite of programs and services centered around the UNESCO Biosphere Region designation for the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound area. The core offerings include the Nchu'ú7mut/Unity Plan (a land and marine use management framework), the Howe Sound/Átl'ka7tsem Marine Reference Guide (an interactive marine knowledge platform), the Biosphere 101 Course (educational content), and various conservation networks (Howe Sound Conservation Network, Marine Action Network, Howe Sound Community Forums) that coordinate environmental protection efforts among stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nchu'ú7mut/Unity Plan

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,400+ species documented in the region
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2021The Squamish Nation is a foundational partner in the biosphere region. The organization has embedded a Squamish Nation co-Chair role on its board, reflecting commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous governance. The nation provides traditional knowledge, cultural guidance, and co-leads initiatives including the herring research project and conservation efforts.
• Capilano UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with faculty and offices of Indigenous education and creative activity research to develop a cross-disciplinary field school involving geography, biology, anthropology, and tourism departments.
• Marine Reference Guide / Marine Stewardship InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive tool bringing together knowledge about the region's marine ecological and human-use values. The society is on the leadership team of this initiative and partners on herring research projects.
• Ocean WisemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine research and conservation partner. Jessica Schultz from Ocean Wise serves as the Marine Ambassador for the biosphere region. Partnered on Ocean Watch reports and school education programs.
• Howe Sound Conservation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 21 non-government nature-based organizations collaborating on conservation. Includes Squamish River Watershed Society, Squamish Environment Conservation Society, various conservancies, and environmental organizations.
• Squamish Environment Conservation SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for the Wildlife Connectivity project, a regionally significant pilot project to reduce conflicts between human development and wildlife in the Squamish area.
• Islands Trust ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the frog research project on Cha7élkwnech/Gambier Island to determine presence of species at risk through eDNA sampling.
• Gambier Island ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the frog research project on Cha7élkwnech/Gambier Island for species at risk monitoring.
• Canadian Commission for UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body responsible for coordinating UNESCO nominations in Canada and ensuring biosphere reserves fulfill international framework requirements.
• Canadian Biosphere Reserve NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 18 Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Reserves representing geographic, climatic, ecological, economic, and cultural diversity. Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound joined as Canada's 19th biosphere region.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve: A Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Region organization operating in Ontario. Directly comparable as a registered charity with a small staff coordinating conservation, research, and education across a large freshwater/marine watershed.
• Fundy Biosphere Reserve: Manages the Fundy Biosphere Reserve in New Brunswick, one of Canada's 18 other UNESCO Biosphere Regions. Comparable function: convening regional conservation, coordinating community programs, and serving as the administrative body for a designated UNESCO region.
• Clayoquot Biosphere Trust: A Canadian charitable organization managing the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region on Vancouver Island. Operates an identical model: a registered charity coordinating regional conservation, Indigenous co-governance, and sustainable development under the UNESCO framework.
• Rideau Valley Biosphere Reserve: Ontario-based Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Region. Same organizational model: small charitable staff coordinating watershed conservation, education, and community engagement under the UNESCO designation.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS): A national conservation advocacy organization with overlapping mandates in protected areas and biodiversity conservation. Comparable in advocacy and partnership-based conservation, but operates nationally rather than at a single watershed scale.
• Canadian Biosphere Reserve Network: The umbrella network of all 19 Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, including Howe Sound. Comparable as the coordinating body that the society is a member of and that determines the framework in which it operates.
• David Suzuki Foundation: A prominent Canadian environmental advocacy and education organization. Comparable in environmental education, public engagement, and biodiversity focus, but operates nationally with significantly larger reach and resources.
• Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest private land conservation organization. Comparable in mission (biodiversity protection, land stewardship) but operates at a much larger national scale with direct land ownership and a significantly larger budget.
• Ducks Unlimited Canada: A large Canadian conservation organization focused on wetland and watershed conservation. Comparable in conservation mandate and the use of funded habitat protection projects, but operates at a much larger scale with a different funding model.

Others

• MakeWay: A national Canadian charity that provides financial and operational infrastructure for environmental and social initiatives. Already a partner (hosting the Marine Reference Guide project), it serves as an enabling organization rather than a peer, but is comparable in the nonprofit environmental ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/howesoundbri
• Facebookfacebook.com/HoweSoundBiosphere
• Instagraminstagram.com/howesoundbiosphere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howe-sound-biosphere-region-initiative-society

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society