The waters around Hornby Island support more than 70 species of seabirds, Orca and Humpback whales, Steller and California sea lions, harbour seals, salmon, numerous rockfish and and a myriad of other small creatures.
In 2016, after many years working to conserve 39 per cent of the land base, Conservancy Hornby Island (CHI) and the people of Hornby decided to focus on the value of the sea life around us and the need to protect it for future generations.
To accomplish this, CHI embarked on a Marine Conservation Initiative. The first stage involved local fundraising and engaging a cartographer to prepare maps documenting and displaying elements of the marine ecosystems and environments surrounding Hornby Island and creating more public awareness of these values. An atlas project incorporating these maps for general distribution as an outreach and educational resource seemed a logical next step.
This is the first edition of the atlas, prepared by concerned people with a lot of local knowledge, and partially funded by a generous grant from the Comox Valley Community Foundation. Conservancy Hornby Island hopes the atlas will help people appreciate and understand some of the truly fantastic marine world surrounding Hornby Island.
If you are interested in ordering copies through the mail, please contact chihornby@gmail.com or CHI, box 55 Hornby Island BC V0R 1Z0 to arrange the mailing of copies. The cost is $20.00 per guide ($15 for Conservancy Hornby Island members) plus $3.00 shipping.