Conservancy overview
Burdwood Group Conservancy is a cluster of islands, including Denham Island, Walker Islet and several other unnamed islands and islets, situated between Gilford and Broughton islands at the entrance to Tribune Channel in the southern Central Coast of British Columbia. The conservancy is 48 km northeast of Port McNeill on Vancouver Island and 290 km northwest of Vancouver. The Burdwood Group Conservancy islands and islets comprise a total land area of 121 ha.
Burdwood Group Conservancy was established on March 13, 2009 pursuant to the Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amendment Act , 2008. The conservancy is included in Schedule E of the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act and is administered under the Park Act .
Burdwood Group Conservancy protects a unique cluster of forested islands and islets in the protected waters at the entrance to Tribune Channel between Gilford Island and the mainland. The Burdwood Group of islands protects largely undisturbed forested upland habitats within a rich and diverse marine environment.
Shell beaches and shell middens are protected Archeological sites and therefore disturbance is prohibited. No shells or other materials can be removed from the beach areas. Ground disturbance such as digging, is not permitted on the upland portion of the conservancy.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
- There are no toilets in this conservancy.
- Kayak or boat-accessed camping, only. There are currently no facilities provided.
Special notes
Visitors to this protected area are expected to follow these guidelines:
Respect site integrity
- Leave no physical trace of your visit. Leave sites as you found them.
- Do not tag locations on social media. Allow others to discover these sites.
Leave sites intact
- Do not dig holes, or move or damage rocks, plants, trees, or driftwood on the land, beach or intertidal zone.
- Stay in designated campsites and on established trails to protect sensitive ecosystems.
- Best practice is to not have campfires. Fires below high tide line only. Do not forage for firewood. Leave no evidence of fires.
- Adhere to fire bans.
Respect the cultural history of the First Nation whose territory you are visiting
- Do not touch or otherwise disturb any First Nation cultural material. Treat land and cultural sites with respect. Disturb nothing, take nothing.
- Respect any First Nation protocols identified in signage.
- Consult websites before trips.
- First Nation stories are the property of the Nation. Do not share that history without permission.
- Respect Provincial and Federal Government Regulations and Legislation.
- The law protects archaeological and cultural sites. Do not disturb them.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. This area is kayak or boat accessed camping, only.
Facilities
Best practice is to not have campfires though if you do have a campfire, keep fires below high tide line only. Do not forage for firewood and please do not leave evidence of fires.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Activities
There are swimming opportunities in the park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are canoeing opportunities in the park.
There are kayaking opportunities in the park.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Access is by boat or kayak, only. The conservancy is located 48 km northeast of Port McNeill on the northern edge of the Broughton Archipelago. The closest communities are Port McNeill, Telegraph Cove and Alder Bay.
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: March 12, 2009
- Size: 121 hectares
Nature and culture
Culture
The conservancy protects culturally significant sites and traditional use areas of First Nations in the area. In particular, the conservancy foreshore protects culturally significant shell middens and intertidal clam gardens, or loxwiwe.
Conservation
The conservancy protects a moderately sized kelp bed, as well as habitat for coastal bird species, marine mammals, salmon, and intertidal species, including productive butter clam and littleneck clam populations.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.