people

Human development across the Georgia basin has seen large changes in population size and density in urban centres. Most of the population is centred in the lower mainland and south eastern Vancouver Island with population size in most regional districts and municipalities in the lower mainland having increased by 150% over the past 20 years.

The population of British Columbia is currently at over 4.6 million people (Statistics Canada 2012 census data), with over 86% of this population living in urban areas.  3 million people currently live in Vancouver and Victoria alone and thus most of B.C.’s population is concentrated around the Fraser River and the Strait of Georgia.

Of this total B.C. population, over 196,000 are First Nations people (2006 BC Stats Census).

The Data Centre provides information on population statistics, human impacts in the Strait, activities carried out by humans on the Strait (e.g. fishing, tourism, boat traffic) as well as information on projects and programs carried out by scientists, citizen science groups, stewardship groups and local communities.

Historical Photographs

We are interested in collecting photographs of the Strait, showing change over time. These photographs may be of coastal towns, industrial or human development, fishing activities etc. Please see the Contact Us page and send us an email if you have information to share: or use the Data Submission Form.

Oral History and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

We also recognize the huge value in gathering traditional and historical ecological knowledge and one goal of the SGDC is to collate these vital types of information. See the First Nations page for details of the First Nations Ecological Knowledge Project

Please see the Contact Us page and send us an email if you have information to share.

Useful Links

The following are a list of environmental groups involved with the Strait of Georgia:

1. David Suzuki Foundation.

The David Suzuki Foundation is a science-based environmental organization based out of Vancouver, B.C.  The mission of the foundation is to “protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future” and their vision is “that within a generation, Canadians act on the understanding that we are all interconnected and interdependent with nature”. Their main program areas are Protecting Climate, Transforming the Economy, Protecting Nature, Reconnecting with Nature and Building Community.

2. The Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform

This group is focused on the effect of aquaculture on wild salmon.

3. The Fraser Riverkeeper Society

This group focuses on water quality and fish habitat of the Fraser River; it patrols by boat, responds to citizen complaints of pollution, and seeks enforcement of environmental laws.

4. The Georgia Strait Alliance

The GSA is a charity dedicated to protecting and restoring the marine environment, and promoting the sustainability of the Strait and its adjoining waters and communities – including Southern Vancouver Island.

5. The Raincoast Conservation Foundation

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation seeks to investigate and understand coastal species and ecological pressures, and its flagship project is the Wild Salmon Program.

6. The Watershed Watch Salmon Society

This group works to protect and restore B.C.’s wild salmon through scientific expertise, strategic alliances, and community outreach.

7. Living Oceans Society

Living Oceans Society is a Canadian environmental organization that focuses on marine conservation issues. It is based in Sointula, B.C. Their vision is “Canada’s oceans are sustainably managed and thriving with abundant sea life that supports coastal communities”. They promote ocean planning, marine protected areas, ecosystem based fisheries and risk reduction from oil spills, salmon aquaculture and industrialization.

8. Friends of Tod Creek Watershed

This group works to preserve and enhance the integrity and biodiversity of the Tod Creek Watershed. Prospect Lake and Tod Creek, membership open to all.

9. Goldstream Nature House

Goldstream Nature Houses are the hub of environmental education in Vancouver Island’s Provincial Parks, providing visitors with great interactive learning opportunities and full of helpful volunteers and naturalists.

10.  Peninsula Streams Society

This group is involved in the conservation of the watersheds of the Saanich Peninsula.

11. SeaChange Marine Conservation Society

SeaChange conserves marine and watershed environments through education and restoration within the Capital Regional District and in partnership with other coastal communities in BC. They also lead ethnobotany tours and offer opportunities to participate in terrestrial restoration at SNIDCEL/Tod Inlet.

12. Sierra Club BC

Sierra Club BC is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to protect and conserve British Columbia’s wilderness, species and ecosystems, within the urgent context of global warming impacts. They advocate the responsible use of B.C.’s natural resources while promoting a modern, equitable economy that sustains our planet in every way.

13. World Fisheries Trust

World Fisheries Trust, created in 1995, is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to the equitable and sustainable use and conservation of aquatic biodiversity. It acts locally and globally and uses a multidisciplinary approach. They are based out of Victoria, B.C.

14. Nile Creek Enhancement Society

The mission of the Nile Creek Enhancement Society is to “enhance and protect the fresh water and marine habitats that support salmonids and the habitat in which they live along the east coast of Vancouver Island”.

To fulfill their mission, the Nile Creek Enhancement Society is engaged in the volunteer operation of a

• Pink salmon hatchery,
• restoration of habitats supporting native salmonid species, such as Pink, Coho, Chum, and Cutthroat Trout,
• stream rehabilitation,
• kelp replantation,
• eelgrass mapping and monitoring,
• and public education.