Conservancy overview
The Neǧiƛ/Nekite Estuary Conservancy is located at the head of Smith Inlet on British Columbia’s Central Coast. The conservancy protects the estuary and islands at the mouth of the Nekite River.
Recreational activities are currently quite limited within the conservancy, although there is an ecotourism operation located just outside the conservancy. This company provides grizzly bear viewing tours on the Nekite River.
The conservancy was identified for consideration as a protected area during the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan planning process. Following Government to Government discussions between the Province and First Nations, the central coast land use decisions (February 7, 2006) confirmed that the Nekite Estuary would become a conservancy. The Nekite Estuary was legally designated as the Neǧiƛ/Nekite Estuary Conservancy in Spring 2007.
Advisories
Neǧiƛ/Nekite Estuary Conservancy is comprised of 333 ha of land and 152 ha of foreshore (485 ha in total). The conservancy, located at the end of Smith Inlet, is 78 km northeast of Port Hardy, 200 km northwest of Campbell River and 377 km northwest of Vancouver.
Conservancy and activity maps
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: May 22, 2007
- Size: 481 hectares (331 ha upland and 150 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
The conservancy is within the traditional territory of the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw First Nation. The proximity of designated archaeological sites and Indian Reserve #2, Nekite, indicates the strong relationship between the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw First Nation and the region around the Nekite Estuary.
The conservancy’s branching channels, gravel beaches, forested islands, grasslands and foreshore are affected by the mixing of salt and fresh water occurring in the estuary. This mix of waters creates biologically and ecologically diverse environments that support many species of plants and animals.
Every spring, grizzly and black bears come back to graze on the spring growth in the estuary and come again to feast on spawning salmon in the fall. Other species such as wolves, deer, migratory birds and marine mammals also interact in the estuary.
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.