Conservancy overview
The Phillips River watershed is a small but complex drainage at the head of Phillips Arm on British Columbia’s Southern Central Coast. The Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy protects a significant and unique combination of marine, estuary, lake and river environments. Visitors to the region currently take part in recreational activities such as salmon and trout fishing and wildlife viewing, among others.
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 Phillips Estuary would become a conservancy.
The Phillips Estuary was legally designated as Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy in Spring 2007.
Advisories
Safety info
- Campfires are not permitted.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Activities
All five species of salmon are present in this conservancy.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
The park is open to hunting. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
The Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy is comprised of 1,382 ha of upland and 79 ha of foreshore (1,461 ha in total). The conservancy, located at the head of Phillips Arm, is 53 km north of Campbell River, 122 km east of Port Hardy and 216 km northwest of Vancouver.
Conservancy and activity maps
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: May 22, 2007
- Size: 1,461 hectares (1,382 ha upland and 79 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
History
The conservancy is within the traditional territories of the Kwiakah, Xwemalhkwu and We Wai Kum First Nations. Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy is managed collaboratively by BC Parks and the Kwiakah First Nation.
Cultural Heritage
The cultural values of the Phillips Estuary/ᕈNacinuxᵂ Conservancy have extremely high significance to the Kwiakah First Nation, who have two historical village sites, Hwihawi village and Matsayno, Indian Reserve #5, located in and adjacent to the conservancy, respectively. Historically, the Phillips River Estuary and the surrounding area provided cedar trees, fishing and hunting grounds and various plants, berries and medicines that were collected, prepared and stored for the winter months. The marine area was a source of eel grass, seals, ducks, crabs and at times, herring. These values continue to be important to First Nations today.
Conservation
The estuary and lake complex are important to both salmon and grizzly bears. The quality and diversity of the marine, estuarine, lake and river environments merge to produce a protected area with high biodiversity and conservation values.
Wildlife
Salmon are at the centre of the natural values found in this conservancy. The river, lake and estuary provide high quality aquatic environments that support spawning salmon as well as resident species of fish. The nutrients provided by spawning salmon and the protected riparian habitats help ensure good water quality and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears.
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.