New resource highlights importance of protecting clam gardens and intertidal ecosystems along the B.C. coast
A new coastal stewardship guide from the Nanwakolas Council is encouraging residents, boaters, and coastal communities across Vancouver Island and the North Island to think carefully before moving rocks or altering shoreline environments.
The document, Before You Move a Rock, focuses on protecting intertidal ecosystems and culturally significant clam garden areas that support marine life, traditional food systems, and coastal biodiversity. The guide explains that even small changes to beaches, shorelines, or rocky areas can disrupt sensitive habitats and damage long-established ecological systems.
Clam gardens — traditional Indigenous mariculture systems built along the coast — are a key focus of the resource. These areas have supported shellfish harvesting for generations and continue to play an important role in coastal food security and environmental stewardship.
The guide emphasizes that rocks and shoreline features are not just part of the landscape, but essential components of marine ecosystems that support clams, shellfish, fish habitat, and other coastal species. Moving or disturbing these areas without proper planning can lead to long-term environmental impacts.
For coastal communities such as Sayward and other North Island regions where residents frequently access beaches, shorelines, and marine areas, the message is straightforward: understand the environmental and cultural importance of intertidal zones before making any changes.
The document encourages collaboration between First Nations, local communities, researchers, and stewardship groups to ensure coastal restoration and development work is done responsibly. Indigenous knowledge and long-term stewardship practices are highlighted as essential in maintaining healthy ecosystems and protecting traditional harvesting areas.
Nanwakolas Council’s guidance is part of a broader effort to promote awareness and respectful use of coastal environments throughout British Columbia. By encouraging people to pause and consider the impacts of altering natural shorelines, the resource aims to help protect marine ecosystems and cultural heritage for future generations.
Residents and community groups interested in learning more about coastal stewardship and clam garden protection are encouraged to review the Before You Move a Rock document and consider how their activities along the shoreline can contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.
