Lucy Islands Conservancy

Highlights in this conservancy

Lucy Islands Conservancy is on the northwest coast of British Columbia, within the traditional territory of the Coast Tsimshian which includes both the Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations. Lucy Islands has been used since time immemorial by the Coast Tsimshian for cultural, social, ceremonial, and economic purposes.

Lucy Islands hosts a unique combination of cultural and natural values in a small area. The very wet coastal hemlock forest on the archipelago is a significant breeding area for a variety of seabirds. The rhinoceros auklet is the most abundant seabird on Lucy Islands and builds underground burrows to nest. These nests are very sensitive to disturbance, which is why it’s very important to stay on the boardwalk.

To fully enjoy Lucy Islands, visitors must respect and understand these values and the rules to protect them. Discover more about Lucy Islands on the interpretive signs found along the trail. Lucy Islands is significant in the protected area system.

The conservancy protects:

A globally significant breeding and nesting habitat for seabirds, particularly rhinoceros auklets.
An area with important Coast Tsimshian cultural values and documented archaeological sites.
Important local recreational opportunities associated, including those related to the interpretation of the rhinoceros auklets, the area’s cultural values and associated navigational light.

A lighthouse is located on the east side of the largest island in the conservancy. Built in 1906, the lighthouse served as a manned station from 1907 to 1988. Other facilities that existed during that time include:

residential buildings for the lighthouse keepers and their families.
A boathouse on the southwest side of the main island.
A helicopter pad not far from the boathouse on the western tip of the main island.

A 600-metre long boardwalk, which extended from one end of the island to the other, linked the helicopter pad and the residential buildings. In 1988, the lighthouse was automated and the house was removed. The boardwalk was left for visitors; to provide for safe and ongoing recreation opportunities, the boardwalk was completely replaced in 2010 and 2011.

Know before you go

Advisories

Special notes

A few things to remember to ensure everyone’s visit is enjoyable:

Stay on the boardwalk and trail at all times to protect the seabirds and nesting burrows from disturbance.
Numerous archaeological sites exist on Lucy Islands. It is an offence to disturb or remove material from these sites. Learn about the archaeological sites from the signs along the boardwalk.
No fresh water is available on Lucy Islands, so users need to bring their own.
There is one outhouse and a tent pad in the conservancy. Please utilise the facilities to avoid impacts to the auklet nesting burrows.
No domestic pets are allowed on Lucy Islands to protect the seabirds from disturbance.
No fires allowed after dark between March and September because the nocturnal birds are disoriented by light.
Keep fires below tide line and collect wood from the beach.
No motorized vehicles on the Islands.
Consult the fishing regulations if you plan to fish.
Keep Lucy Islands clean! Pick up garbage and pack all litter out.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Lucy Islands Conservancy Map [PDF]

Getting there

The conservancy is approximately 13 km west of Metlakatla, 30 km southwest of Lax Kw’alaams (Port Simpson) and 20 km west of Prince Rupert.

Nearby protected areas include the Lax Kwaxl/Dundas and Melville Islands Conservancy 8 km to the north, Khutzeymateen Inlet Conservancy 53 km to the northeast, Kennedy Island Conservancy 40 km to the southeast and K’sgaxl/Stephens Island Conservancy 13 km to the southwest.

Reference: Marine Charts # 3959

Camping

Wilderness camping

Wilderness, backcountry camping is allowed, but please tread lightly and use existing tent pads.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy, as it can be accessed year-round.

Things to do

Swimming

Swimming is possible in the ocean, but the water is cold year-round and subject to strong tides.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Most recreational use is by kayakers and small vessels from adjacent communities. Kayakers use the conservancy as a strategic location when crossing from Prince Rupert to the Melville-Dundas Islands. The islands offer a protected lagoon with sandy beaches, as well as hiking and wildlife viewing. The shallow waters in the area have many fascinating reefs. The shallows south of the islands offer excellent fishing, making the Lucy Islands a popular destination for Prince Rupert residents.

Adventurous and experienced canoeists or kayakers may enjoy exploring the inlets, bays, lagoons, and shorelines in this conservancy. The many inlets can be sheltered and calm, with landing beaches available. Wilderness and backcountry camping is allowed on the provided tent platforms to protect the auklet nesting habitat. Kayak rentals are available in Prince Rupert.

Fishing

Excellent tidal water fishing opportunities for salmon and groundfish. Please consult the appropriate non-tidal fishing regulations for more information. Fishing licenses are available for purchase in Kitimat and Prince Rupert.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can be seen in the adjacent marine waters.

Scuba diving

There are opportunities for scuba diving in this marine conservancy. The water clarity is best during winter and spring.

Hunting

Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

Fires are not allowed after dark between March and September because the nocturnal birds are disoriented by light.

Firewood and campfire rings are not provided. If you must have a fire, please have it in the intertidal area, burn only dead and down wood, be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done and spread out the ashes and rocks. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all.

We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using campstoves instead.

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.

About this conservancy

Cultural heritage

The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territories of the Coast Tsimshian which includes both the Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations. Specifically, the area is within the traditional territory of the Gitwilgyoots. The Gitwilgyoots (people of the kelp) are one of nine tribes that make up the Coast Tsimshian First Nations. They are also members of the hereditary organization known as the Allied Tsimshian Tribes.
The conservancy is important in providing Coast Tsimshian people with food, medicine, raw materials, cultural items and goods as a part of their economy. The conservancy is considered part of the Coast Tsimshian people’s “breadbasket.”
Use the below links for more information or to contact these First Nations.

Metlakatla Stewardship Office
P.O. Box 224
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3P6
Phone: 250-628-3201
Fax: 250-628-9259
Lax Kw’alaams Band Office
206 Shashaak
Port Simpson, BC V0V 1H0
Phone: 250-625-3293
Fax: 250-625-3246

Collaborative Management Agreements:
Protected area collaborative management agreements have been reached between the Ministry of Environment and both the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation and Metlakatla First Nation . These agreements establish a framework for the governments of the Coast Tsimshian and the Province of British Columbia to collaborate on the planning and management of protected areas.

History

Lucy Islands Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on June 27, 2008 following recommendations from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan. The conservancy provides good opportunities for beach combing, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Wildlife

Lucy Islands support a globally significant population of rhinoceros auklets, with approximately 26,000 nesting pairs recorded, representing about five percent of the global population. The auklets primarily nest on the perimeter of the vegetated islands, up to 120 metres inland. Nationally significant concentrations of pigeon guillemots also breed on the island. Other species nesting on the islands include glaucous-winged gulls, black oystercatcher and bald eagle.
Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can also be seen in the adjacent marine waters.

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.

Contact