When was Clayoquot Sound designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?
In January 1999, the communities of Clayoquot Sound, in partnership with federal and provincial governments, officially applied through the Canadian Commission for UNESCO to nominate Clayoquot Sound as British Columbia’s first international Biosphere Reserve. On January 21, 2000, after many years of effort by local First Nations and Communities, UNESCO designated the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. On May 5, 2000, representatives of First Nations, local governments, the province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada and UNESCO were joined by local residents to officially commemorate the designation of Clayoquot Sound. Then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was in attendance to announce a $12 million endowment fund for the Biosphere Reserve, known as the Canada Fund.
