Our Story

The history of the Gambier Island Conservancy begins with the history of the place, Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound. The first settlers came to the Island known as Chá7elkwnech to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) people, in 1875. An attempt by Gambier Island Copper to create a mine in the early 70’s rallied the residents and the end result was the creation of the 1974 Islands Trust Act and the 1979 Gambier Island Zoning By-law, which now limits development on Gambier to recreational, residential or forestry.

Recognizing the need to ensure the island’s natural habitat was protected from further settlement, a group of local residents formed the Gambier Island Conservancy in 1995. This is the story.