First Nations have stewarded and depended on their traditional territories in this region for their cultural, social, and economic well-being since time immemorial. The Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii are magnificent old-growth forest ecosystems representing one of the world’s largest remaining coastal temperate rainforests and supporting wild Pacific salmon, genetically unique wolves, grizzly bears, and the white “spirit” bear among many other species.

A healthy and resilient environment in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii requires maintaining the link between local First Nations, their lands and waters, a sustainable economy, and healthy communities. Permanent ecological and cultural protection in this region can only be achieved through First Nations’ re-emerging role fulfilling their inherent authority for stewardship of their territories that they have never sold or ceded, and which they have cared for across millennia.

Coast Funds was created in 2007 to make the vital connection between sustainable development projects that embrace conservation values; the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the First Nations communities; and the long-term stewardship of the region. Today, Coast Funds serves as a successful model of Indigenous-led conservation finance, demonstrating that First Nations’ leadership and selfdetermination are key to permanently protecting ecologically and culturally significant places on Earth.

Governing Documents

Coast Funds is governed by its founding documents, established by the Funders:

• Conservation Investments and Incentives Agreement (CIIA)
• Performance and Accountability Agreement (PAFA)

> For more governance documents, bylaws, and policies, see our Governing Documents.

> For more about our history, see the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii